Young organist is about to spread his wings to France
Stefan Steyn’s passion to play a pipe organ is opening a door which has allowed the 26-year-old to go abroad for the very first time in his life with the hope of studying for his master's degree.
LYDENBURG – A Lydenburg organist is preparing to live his dream of playing the “king of instruments” in Lyon, France.
Stefan Steyn’s passion to play a pipe organ is opening a door which has allowed the 26-year-old to go abroad for the very first time in his life with the hope of studying for his master’s degree.
He will leave the country on March 22. His preliminary audition will take place on April 6 and the final on April 8.
Steyn is a qualified organist with a BMus. He is currently preparing to play in front of a panel of judges at the National Conservatory of Music and Dance (CNSMD) in Lyon and if he passes the auditions he will be able to study his master’s degree abroad. He studied human resources and music at the North-West University (NWU), Potchefstroom campus.
It had always been his dream to play in France, said Stefan. “The European instruments that are used in France are from another level – it’s like they are from outer space. As a member of the Association of Organist in South Africa, I receive their newsletters and one day read about a woman from South Africa who is based in France although her surname looked familiar, and that made me want to be in France more than ever,” he said.
Steyn believes that every artist starts somewhere. During his interview with Steelburger/Lydenburg News the passionate organists recalled his sad experience when he auditioned to enrol as a student at the conservatory in Potchefstroom. “When I got to the audition I thought I was cool and had everything under control. This was before I even owned a pair of organ shoes. I was 19 years old and went there with my “plaaslike” style. The audition was so horrible that I ended up crying,” he said. Fortunately for him he qualified and was allowed to study music at NWU.
As part of his preparations for France he sets aside at least eight hours per day for practising on the organ, researching everything he needs to know online and also taking lessons in French with Gerda Whitehorn. ”I also play at local churches and weddings and build organs.”
His advice for inspired musicians is to never stop dreaming. ”You have to dream big, chase your dreams, never give up and make sure you work hard for what you want. For example it took me eight years to get where I wanted to be.”
