(Bongani Tembe)
The Board of the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra (JPO) has
announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Boards of
the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra (KZN PHIL) and the JPO.
Bongani Tembe, who is Chief Executive and Artistic Director
of the KZN Philharmonic, has been appointed Chief Executive and Artistic
Director of the JPO.
In affirming their joint commitment to the development and
continuation of the performance of orchestral music in South Africa, the two Boards
have pledged to combine strengths to ensure the long-term sustainability of the
orchestras in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. This not only intends to maintain the
regularity of symphony concerts in both provinces to ensure consistent and
excellent performances by the musicians, but also to expand the outreach and
educational programmes designed to benefit the greater communities of our
country.
With years of experience executing high profile
international and South African projects, Tembe has been extremely successful
in leading the KZN Philharmonic over the past 21 years. He has created a stable
and world-class orchestra that has been lauded for its performance excellence
in South Africa and Europe. He has accepted the additional appointment as Artistic
Director of the JPO with immediate effect and will become CEO and Artistic
Director of both orchestras as from January 1, 2016.
Tembe brings extensive international functional leadership experience
as the Commissioner-General of the SA-UK Seasons 2014 and 2015 - a cultural
exchange partnership by South Africa’s Department of Arts and Culture and the
United Kingdom’s British Council. Previously, he oversaw the highly successful France-South
Africa Seasons in 2012 and 2013 as Commissioner-General.
Hailed as South Africa’s pre-eminent arts manager of
classical music, Tembe is a graduate from the prestigious Julliard School in
New York and is South Africa’s first black professional opera singer. He has received
some widespread accolades by bringing to South Africa leading artists and
orchestras, including Renée Fleming, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Pinchas Zuckerman,
Zubin Mehta and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. His strong vision fosters
high artistic values and a commitment to engaging with the diverse communities
of South Africa.
The Acting Chairman of the JPO Board, Stephen Jurisich, said
“The Board is delighted that the JPO will have the benefit of Mr Tembe’s vast
experience and visionary leadership, and looks forward to a new era for the
orchestra that will not only benefit the JPO musicians who have endured the
hardships of the last few years, but also the loyal supporters who have never
lost faith in the orchestra and the broader communities who will be engaged in
education and development programmes”.
Duncan Gibbon will remain as interim CEO of the JPO until
the end of the year to assist with the transition process.
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