EXPERIENCED JURY FOR UNISA COMPETITION

Panel of SA’s most respected stringed instrument doyens to judge competition.

A panel of some of South Africa’s most respected stringed instrument doyens has been selected to adjudicate the Vodacom-sponsored 2nd Unisa National String Competition, which begins on June 26.

This year’s jury members are all highly experienced musicians, with illustrious music careers. They have appeared in orchestras across the world, founded local orchestras and music groups, and have outstanding records in the teaching and empowering of young musicians.

Dot Field, Vodacom’s Chief Communications Officer, says: “Members of the jury have an onerous responsibility in evaluating the performances of these 12 young musicians. We are confident that they will bring the highest international standards to bear in their choices, especially of those who will represent South Africa in the 5th Unisa International String Competition, proudly sponsored by Vodacom, which will be held in 2010.”

All the finalists who receive one of the three main prizes, whether for a violin or cello performance, will automatically be admitted to compete in next year’s international competition. Main cash prizes for the competition, sponsored by Vodacom, total R110,000, with a first prize of R50,000, second prize of R35,000, and third prize of R20,000. Special prizes to the value of R24,000 may also be awarded.

In evaluating the competitors, the youngest of whom is only 16 years of age, the jury will take into account musicianship and virtuosity, musical expression and interpretative ability, and an understanding of the major stylistic periods of music. All music has to be performed from memory, and all competitors will be prepared to perform a solo concerto in the final round with the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra.

The jury members are:

Denise Sutton’s career as a concert master and leader of symphony orchestras spans over 20 years. From 2000 to 2005, she was a member of the Johannesburg Festival Orchestra and the Chamber Orchestra of South Africa (COSA). She has also been involved in teaching music to postgraduates, with many of her students having won various competitions and a number of them are currently playing professionally. Currently, she is the leader of the New Odeion String Quartet in Bloemfontein.

Anmari van der Westhuizen is a distinguished South African cellist who has had a long and successful career around the world, making her concert debut in Salzburg in 1990. While residing in Salzburg and Vienna from 1988 to 1996, she appeared regularly as soloist and chamber musician. Returning to South Africa, she began to teach cello at the College of Music, University of Cape Town and the University of the Free State. South African composers Hubert du Plessis, Roelof Temmingh and Hendrik Hofmeyr have all honoured her by dedicating various compositions to her.

Kutlwano Masote is a prestigious cellist from Soweto who is currently the Chairman of the Arts and Culture Trust and has been a trustee since 2005. He is also a member of the Motswako String Quartet which performs regularly at high-profile corporate and government functions. For the past ten years, Masote has hosted a daily programme of classic music on a local radio station during which he promotes South African recording artists. In 2006, he made his debut as a conductor at the opening of Jo’burg Arts Alive conducting Ladysmith Black Mambazo, the Gauteng Choristers and the MIAGI Orchestra. Masote currently runs a musicians’ booking agency and is also sound designer for the Freedom Park Museum.

Shadrack Bokaba is the Executive Director of the South African Music Education Trust and Managing Director of the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra. He is also the Chairman of the Association of Professional Orchestras of South Africa (APOSA). Bokaba is the Director of Cadenza Productions, an organisation committed to classical and jazz performances and exhibitions of the highest standard. In 2004 he received the Arts and Culture Trust Award as Arts Administrator of the Year.

John Roos, the Artistic Director of the Unisa National and International Music Competitions, has perfected the art of arranging concerts, national and international music competitions as well as coordinating community music projects. In 2008, the prestigious Chancellor’s medal of his Alma Mater, the University of Pretoria, was awarded to him for his contribution to international classical music competitions in South Africa.

The 2nd Unisa National String Competition, sponsored by Vodacom, begins with the first round of judging on June 26 with the final round being held on July 3. The venue for the first three rounds is the Unisa Conference Hall, Sunnyside Campus in Pretoria. The final round of judging, as well as the prize giving, will be held at the ZK Matthews Great Hall, Unisa Main Campus, Pretoria.

Tickets for the three rounds are available at the door, while those for the final are available from Computicket. Information about ticket prices and all performance times are available from the Unisa Music Foundation, contact numbers 012 429 3344 or 012 429 3336.