Lowveld bids farewell to a well-known conductor

Anneke Coetzer moved to the Lowveld in 2010. A couple of years later she became involved with starting the local orchestra in which musicians from all walks of life have a chance to live out their talent.

“I organised a trip for a German Youth Orchestra to the Lowveld in 2012 which sparked the idea of starting a similar project in the area. The Casterbridge Music Development Academy approached me and requested that I become involved and direct such a group,” Coetzer said.

“I knew very little about conducting an orchestra, but was up for the challenge. Nine years down the line and we are still going strong.”

Coetzer has accepted a position at St Dunstan’s College in Benoni and will relocate in January.

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“I trust that the music will continue after I have left. We have a strong core of musicians and one or two have expressed an interest in taking over.”

Coetzer said she grew up in a home filled with music, with her mother being a mezzo soprano. “I remember sitting at her feet when she used to teach at home.

According to Coetzer, the orchestra consists of approximately 27 amateur musicians from all walks of life, including doctors, learners, students, teachers and engineers.

“All orchestral instrument groups are represented in the orchestra, including strings, woodwind, brass and percussion. The brass players are mainly members of the local Salvation Army.”

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Coetzer said the orchestra has developed and grown into proud ambassadors for the Lowveld. Highlights over the years include performances in the Sudwala Caves, Innibos 2018, the Uplands Festival and sharing the stage with a world-renowned soprano, Kimmy Skota, in 2019.

The orchestra’s repertoire includes a variety of genres, such as light classical, pop and songs from musicals.

“Catchy African tunes such as “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”, “Shosholoza” and “Pata Pata” are always popular.”

According to Coetzer, people do not realise how many amateur musicians reside in the Lowveld. “From pupils to medical interns at Rob Ferreira Hospital. It’s important for these instrumentalists to have a platform to make music together.”

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