Music Indaba to amplify Durban talent

THE UKZN Howard College campus will play host to the annual New Music Indaba, which supports the creation of new music by South African composers of all stylistic and cultural backgrounds.

The event will take place from Thursday 10 to Sunday 13 October to the theme of Riot of Spring, in recognition of the 100th anniversary of Stravinsky’s iconic Rite of Spring.

The aims of the festival are to showcase South African composers and performers, encourage young performers via a cadet programme, and provide opportunities for developing composers to receive instruction and feedback from leading South African composers.

This year the focus is on showcasing some of South Africa’s many talented composers and performers and will be curated and coordinated by Fiona Tozer.

In two interactive workshops participants will be invited to compose short pieces based on this theme to be discussed by the new ensemble .

Workshops on offer will include composition workshops by Clare Loveday, and members of the “Insurrections” project, Jürgen Bräuninger, Sazi Dlamini and Brydon Bolton, plus individual instrument workshops by members of the ensemble, and a workshop on composing with Sibelius software co-ordinated by Dr Chris Cockburn of the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s music faculty. Registration for workshops is free.

The opening concert will be a piano duet of Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring performed by Jill Richards and Michael Watt. Other concerts will include the première performance of the South African New Music Ensemble, a second concert by sub-groups from the ensemble, and performances by DuoFourIVTwo, Into, and the KZN Youth Choir.

The NewMusicSA Annual General Meeting will be held during the festival, and all members are encouraged to attend. NewMusicSA members will be given free entrance to the Friday and Saturday concerts, so now is a good time to make sure your membership is up to date.

Contact 072 822 7988 or email moretozerkg@iafrica.com.