SAMRO MUSIC COMPETITION

The SAMRO Hubert van der Spuy National Music Competition, now in its second year, is inviting entries from music students, 13 years and younger.

The Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) came on board last year, as the main sponsor of this prestigious national music competition.

A special incentive for developmental groups from disadvantaged communities enables each candidate to compete on equal terms with participants from other communities.

The closing date for this year’s competition is April 20, 2012. Auditions in all the main centres will commence at the beginning of June 2012. About 60 candidates will eventually be selected to compete over four rounds at the Hugo Lambrechts Auditorium in Parow, Cape Town, from September 24 to 28 2012. Medals and a host of other attractive prizes are at stake.

Candidates will compete in four categories: Piano, Strings, Woodwind & Brass Instruments and Other Instruments (percussion, recorder, classical guitar and harp), with a sub-category for developmental groups. The only condition is that candidates must still be13 at the time of the competition.

Interested parties should call 021 939 9105 or send a fax to 021 939 9123. Entry forms will also be available from members of the SA Society of Music Teachers (SASMT) and on the internet at www.samro.org.za

According to Leon Hartshorne, retiring national president of the SASMT, the competition has broad appeal amongst the applicants from diverse communities as well as instrumentalists across the music spectrum. “In addition to offering participants the chance to distinguish themselves within the ambit of their own sections, the structure also facilitates interaction and contact between students, teachers and parents from divergent communities, from all parts of South Africa.

"Potential candidates from poor/disadvantaged communities who are receiving music tuition in development outreach initiatives, but whose progress is being delayed or jeopardised by socio-economic issues, are assisted to enter, audition and finally compete, on equal terms with all entrants and within their own peer group," he continues.

After the exceptional performances in last year’s final round of the competition, André le Roux, General Manager of the SAMRO Foundation, said that it was inspiring to have “such a platform of excellence existing at primary school level”. He added that SAMRO, through the SAMRO Foundation, made a decision to support projects of excellence including projects such as the Gauteng and Cape Town Big Band Jazz Festivals for high school students, the SAMRO Music Bursaries at tertiary level and finally, the pinnacle of its flagship projects, the Overseas Scholarships.

More information from Leon Hartshorne on 021 939 9105 or Hilda Boonzaaier (after 20h00) on 021 945 3861.