The National Youth Orchestra celebrates 50 years in style with concerts in Cape Town and Soweto with internationally acclaimed guest artists.
To conclude 2014, the cities of Johannesburg and Cape Town will be treated to an awe-inspiring musical display by the cream of young South African talent. The South African National Youth Orchestra, together with top local and international guest artists, will celebrate the orchestra’s 50th anniversary and our country’s 20 years of democracy.
The National Youth Orchestra celebrates 50 years with three year-end concerts which promise to dazzle audiences with a diverse range of symphonic music, ranging from classical to jazz to contemporary music. The national orchestra consists of dedicated musicians aged between 15 and 25, who all have experience playing in provincial orchestras across the country.
This is a notably significant year for the orchestra as a number of its members receive their South African colours as the country’s ‘Proteas of Music’. As the icon of classical youth music in the country, The South African National Youth Orchestra Foundation plays an important part in developing and mentoring talented, emerging young musicians.
In partnership with Sasol, the South African National Youth Orchestra hosts annual Sasol orchestra courses to develop and equip young musicians to perform in professional orchestras, with optimal functionality, equipping them for their futures in music.
Inspired by her involvement and participation in this year’s orchestra, young violinist Tessa Campbell stated, “Often it’s the case that children don’t have the opportunities to be exposed to classical music. I would love to teach in underprivileged places in South Africa one day.”
At the Kirstenbosch concert in Cape Town on 30 November, world-famous soprano Barbara Hendricks, Grammy Award winning, multi-instrumentalist Magnus Lindgren, local bass guitarist Concord Nkabinde, and South African National Youth Orchestra alumnus and drummer Rob Watson, will be performing a diverse range of music ranging from classical favourites to new South African compositions. This concert will be conducted by top young European conductor, Fredrik Burstedt.
Grammy Award-winning Osmo Vänskä, a Finnish conductor and musical director of the Minnesota Orchestra, who has worked with many of the world’s leading orchestra’s will be conducting the two remaining concerts on 6 and 7 December, where the orchestra will perform Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring.
The South African National Youth Orchestra will be joined by alumni from across the 50 years of the orchestra’s existence. The first concert, in partnership with the City of Cape Town, will be held at the Cape Town City Hall, followed by the Johannesburg concert at the iconic Regina Mundi Church in Soweto. These concerts are supported by Sasol, the City of Cape Town and the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund.
“Sasol believes in unlocking the inherent potential of young people. Equally so, investing in the arts and South Africa’s future is of great significance to us. Together with the South African National Youth Orchestra, we have established talent development programmes such as the Sasol orchestra course for 35 years, we feel privileged to support, uplift and encourage these talented individuals in their musical careers,” stated Richard Hughes, Sasol Group Sponsorship Manager.
Be sure to book your tickets early for this remarkable musical concert and support young South African talent.
The South African National Youth Orchestra celebrates 50 years at the following venues:
Barbara Hendricks with the South African National Youth Orchestra
Cape Town:
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Sunday 30 November 2014 at 15:00
Bookings through Webtickets
Osmo Vänskä conducting The Rite of Spring with the South African National Youth Orchestra
Cape Town:
The City Hall, Saturday 6 December 2014 at 20:00
Bookings through Computicket
Johannesburg:
Regina Mundi Church in Soweto, Sunday 7 December 2014 at 15:00
Bookings through Computicket
