Matric learner is in tune with his music
Thomas More College's young pianist Simon Craig recently made it to the semi-finals of the 23rd Young Performers Awards Competition.
EARLIER this month Simon Craig, a student at the Filip Kormuth Music Studio, participated in the semi-final round of the 23rd Young Performers Awards Competition presented by the National Eisteddfod Academy of SA in Roodepoort.
The matric learner at Thomas More College performed on piano in the Classical Music category where he played Edvard Grieg’s Piano Sonata in E minor Op 7. The piece is from the Romantic Period.
According to Kormuth, his piano teacher and trainer, Craig’s participation in the semi-finals places him among the top five young pianists in the country in his age category.
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Craig has been playing the piano for more than 10 years and described performing on stage at the Roodepoort Theatre as “an incredible privilege”.
Of the piece he played he said, “I took an instant liking to the Sonata because of its intense emotion and beauty.”
He added that he feels that Kormuth has guided him with inspiration and enthusiasm throughout and particularly appreciates the recitals Kormuth organises monthly, as these instil invaluable confidence in playing in front of an audience.
Initially Simon joined the Filip Kormuth Music Studio to complete his Grade 5 Trinity College examination, but within less than a year and a half he had mastered the Trinity Grade Eight examination.
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He then regularly took part in various competitions and Eisteddfods. In 2025 he received a FET Diploma for participation in the National Eisteddfod which led to being invited to play at the Young Performers Competition this year.
“Simon is an artist in the making. It is not only his hunger for technical excellence and attention to detail, but his continuous striving to discover, understand and express the deeper artistic narrative of music that makes him a remarkable performer and human being.”
What’s On
Ct Filip Kormuth and his students will perform at their monthly concert entitled “Evening of Classical Music” at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, 79 Old Main Road, Kloof at 19:00 on Friday, May 29. The evenings are wonderful celebrations of friendship and community through beautiful music. Refreshments will be served at the interval. For enquiries and bookings contact 082 467 5705. Tickets at the door: R60.
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