The KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra
prides itself on nurturing youthful musical talent and providing performance
opportunities for those showing the commitment to succeed.
This week two of their concerts profile the
best of KZN’s talent as well as youngsters from further afield.
Bongani Tembe, Chief Executive and Artistic
Director of the KZN Philharmonic, said, “Our Professional Development
Initiative encompasses a variety of different programmes which are all
ultimately designed to encourage young talented South African musicians to
realise future professional careers. In addition to the annual Bochabela
Strings exchange, the Young Performers’ Concert in May and the National Youth
Concerto Festival in September, our National Cadetship Programme addresses the
limited representation of, and increasing demand for, local artists in the pool
of present and future full-time musicians within our country’s orchestras.”
The opening concert of the KZN
Philharmonic’s Winter Symphony season at the Durban City Hall on Thursday
featured Ade Williams, a 16 year old American violinist who has already made a
name for herself on world stages. She debuted at the age of six with the
Chicago Sinfonietta as that orchestra’s youngest ever soloist. She performed
Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 4, K. 218 in D major. The Orchestra was augmented
by guest ensemble, the Bochabela String Orchestra from the Free State, which
features 13 strings players all under the age of 18. (See Michael Green’s
review)
This evening (May 17), the most promising
young performers from KZN will be on stage with the KZN Philharmonic. In
conjunction with the South African Society of Music Teachers (SASAD), the orchestra
auditioned budding young soloists from across the province and will accompany
the ten finalists in a concert at the Playhouse.
Saturday’s Young Performers candidate list
includes Janet Atkinson (flute) and Njabulo Ntobela (baritone) both from UKZN,
Nompilo Mathe (oboe) from Durban Music School, Arianna Carini (guitar) from
Eden College, van Wyk Venter (counter tenor) from Michaelhouse, Nhlanhla
Mzoneli (trumpet) from Crawford College, Rachel Wedderburn-Maxwell (violin)
from Durban Girls College, Zosukumizizwe Ntuli (violin), Sebastian Marimuthu
(violin) and Krishnarupa Sewsunker (violin) who are all private pupils.
The SASAD concert takes place this evening
at 19h30 in the Playhouse. Book for the Young Performers’ concert on 031 369
9438 or reception@kznpo.co.za. As
this concert is part of the KZN Phil’s Education & Development programme
there is no charge for tickets and schools are encouraged to book for groups of
learners.
Also
not to be missed next Thursday (22 May) is a performance by the KZN Youth Wind
Band outside the City Hall preceding the symphony concert. Their performance is
from 18h30 to 19h15 pm at no charge, a delightful welcome to an evening feast
of music.
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