(Retha
Cilliers. Pid by Sophia Welz)
Close friend and colleague Derek
Vaughan-Heapy announced that Retha Cilliers had passed away peacefully this
morning (February 11) at around 07h00 at her home in Durban. She had been
bedridden for several weeks and under treatment for cancer.
Born in 1956, Retha Cilliers had an impressive musical career. She was bassoonist in the Pact Orchestra and then principal at the
KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic and CEO of the Field Band Foundation, South Africa
and South African National Youth Orchestra Foundation faculty member over many
years (most recently in 2013).
She completed her BMus degree at the University of Pretoria in 1977
and immediately joined the Pact Orchestra as Principal Bassoon. In 1979, she
took time off to study in the Netherlands with John Mostart, Principal Bassoon
of the Rotterdams Philharmonisch Orkest. In 1984, she was offered the Principal
Bassoon position in Bilbao, Spain, where she appeared as soloist with the BOS
Orquesta Sinfonica de Bilbao on many occasions.
She returned to South Africa at the request of the KwaZulu-Natal
Philharmonic Orchestra as their Principal Bassoon in 1988. She again had the
opportunity to play most of the major bassoon concertos with the orchestra. Throughout
her 20 years as a professional musician, she always enjoyed teaching and
playing chamber music.
In 1997 she changed career direction when she became the Manager of
the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic. Realising the need to take classical music and
orchestral education to the disadvantaged communities, she was instrumental in
the development of the education programme at the orchestra, which is still
flourishing.
When offered the position of Chief Executive Officer of the Field
Band Foundation in 1999, she saw this as an opportunity to work at grassroots
level and contribute to the education and development so desperately needed in
South Africa.
"Sadly,
our beloved Retha Cilliers (CEO Field Band Foundation) lost her battle with
cancer this morning,” says the FBF Chairman, Herman
Mashaba. “I know you will all join me in
mourning the passing of this great South African. At our strategy planning
session last weekend, more than 50 Field Band members, board and staff members,
donors and partners pledged to redouble their efforts to ensure that thousands
more young South Africans can stand on the shoulders of this dedicated
philanthropist. May her glorious soul rest in peace as we celebrate a life well
lived!"
Details of a memorial service will be announced shortly. Further tributes
to follow.
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