(Above: The full KZN Youth Wind Band)
It was certainly inspiring to watch these young people immersed in their musicianship efficiently and passionately following the lead of their conductors. Making music together - giving one hope for the future of music. (Review by Caroline Smart)
On Friday (April 21, 2023) I had the pleasure of attending the Cross Winds concert at Northwood School.
This was a multi-layered programme featuring the top-class KZN Youth Wind Band in association with Northwood School, Northwood School Band and Choir.
The concert opened with the Northwood Brass Band directed by Jonathan Hooper.
This led to KZN Youth Wind Band’s conductor Russell Scott moving to the podium for the band’s first four items: Bernstein’s Overture to Candide; Imagasy by Kraas; October by Whitacre and Fiskinatura by Kraas. None of these concert pieces were well-known to me which allowed me to concentrate on the actual orchestra members and their musicianship as they handled the challenging pieces which ranged from gentleness and sensitivity building to explosive sforzando!
After interval, the Northwood Choir, visually captivating with their striking white and black striped lapels, performed a couple of numbers directed by Mrs Anelda Roets and one of the members of the choir.
Then it was back to the KZN Youth Wind Band and numbers I could certainly identify! These included Disney at the Movies – arr J. Higgins; a selection of James Bond signature tunes– arr S Bulla, Dixieland Jam! – arr B. Lowden; Military Goes African – arr M. Pienaar and Africa – arr M Pienaar.
The highlight of the concert for me was Dixieland Jam! when six members of the band picked up their instruments and moved to the front of the stage to deliver an unforgettable performance of this up-beat number. Moving to the rhythm to everyone’s delight, they were Asande Ndlovu (clarinet); Manelisi Khumalo (tenor saxophone); Thabo Sikhakhane (trumpet); Siyalo Zulu (trombone), Sanele Qwabe (tuba) and Joel Bosch (percussion).
Scott is a conductor with great experience, including a period with the Durban City Orchestra. In March 2017, he led the KZN Youth Wind Band to winning gold at the New York Symphonic Wind Band Competition, hosted at the world-famous Carnegie Hall.
As of August 2018, Scott assumed the post of Director of Music (and in 2023 Director College Cultural Activities) at Reddam House Umhlanga and has since grown the department to include hundreds of students undertaking instrumental & vocal tuition and 13 different musical ensembles.
One of South Africa’s premier youth ensembles, the KZN Youth Wind Band is made up of young musicians between the ages of 13 and 27 who are truly representative of the colourful cultural tapestry that makes up South Africa. It is understandably considered one of South Africa’s finest symphonic concert bands and, as Russell Scott mentioned – they should be acknowledged as cultural ambassadors!
It was certainly inspiring to watch these young people immersed in their musicianship efficiently and passionately following the lead of their conductors. Making music together - giving one hope for the future of music.
The KZN Youth Wind Band conducted by the indefatigable Russell Scott will be performing in the Midlands shortly at the Freedom Day Youth Music Festival on April 27 at the Fig Tree Farm in Hillcrest. Booking is through Quicket - https://www.quicket.co.za/events/211043-kearsney-college-freedom-day-youth-music-festival/#/
They will also perform at the St Johns DSG Festival up in Pietermaritzburg on May12, 2023.
For more information visit the KZBYWB website at https://www.kznywb.org.za/
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