Fledgling instrumentalists vie for honours

The competition takes place at the Hugo Lambrechts Auditorium in Parow, Cape Town, and will run from 29 September to 3 October 2014 under auspices of the SA Society of Music Teachers (SASMT). The competition was initiated by SASMT 26 years ago.

 

The 65 candidates, selected after national auditions during June, will compete over four rounds in four categories:  Piano, Strings, Woodwind & Brass Instruments, and Other Instruments (percussion, recorder, classical guitar and harp). 

 

SA works compulsory

 

Medals, prize-money totalling more than R80,000 and other attractive prizes are at stake. For the first time in the history of the competition South African works are compulsory.   

 

“As a composer organisation, we would love to see more South African works being performed around the country on all platforms. Hence we remain one of a few organisations commissioning new South African works including our SAMRO Scores for Young Players Series. As we celebrate our performers, so too should we celebrate those who create uniquely South African music,” comments André le Roux, MD of the SAMRO Foundation.

 

 

According to Hilda Boonzaaier, who chairs the SASMT: Tygerberg, the competition offers participants the chance to distinguish themselves within the ambit of their own sections, and also facilitates interaction and contact between students, teachers and parents from divergent communities. 

 

The 25th winner last year, Arjen van Renssen on cello, will perform at the opening night of the competition. He happened to be a student of the very first winner in 1989, the acclaimed cellist Anzél Gerber, now a lecturer at Stellenbosch. 

 

For more information, contact Carin Brand at tygerbergbranch@gmail.com or 0219399105 between 10am-6pm, or Hilda Boonzaaier on 0219453861 between 8pm-9pm.