Wakkerstroom Music Festival celebrates its 5th year

THE FIFTH Wakkerstroom Music Festival takes place on March 20-22, 2015. In celebration of this important milestone, the organisers have decided to combine the second Wakkerstroom Music Festival Bursary Competition (WMFBK) with the 2015 Festival.

The Wakkerstroom Music Festival Bursary is a non-profit organisation with the main aim of raising funds that will enable promising music students to further their studies.

The 2015 WMFBK has already received numerous entries and the closing date for submissions to the competition is February 6, 2015. Six prizes, the first prize being R60,000, will be awarded to deserving young musicians.

The semi-final of the WMFBK will take place of March 19, and the final on March 20, followed by the prize-giving ceremony.

After the award ceremony, the WMF will open with a performance by the popular Odeion Quartet with Samson Diamond from Bloemfontein and a classical jazz concert led by Barbora Tellinger.

Saturday, March 21, promises to offer festival goers a wide selection of classical music concerts catering to everyone’s tastes. From a harp trio led by Ingrid Janse van Rensburg; a concert with lullabies from all over the world performed by soprano Gretel Coetzee, all the way from Windhoek; a Schubert lieder concert performed by the well-known Johannesburg tenor Sandile Mabaso; and a performance of Grieg and Schubert instrumental compositions by the Sempre Opera Instrumental Ensemble to a sunset concert by the Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool’s Dixie band.

Adding to the festive atmosphere, Hoërskool Empangeni’s marching band will take their performance to the streets of Wakkerstroom. The highlight of the day will be the astounding Gala concert with all the artists participating.

The WMF concludes on Sunday, March 22, with an organ concert by Ockie Vermeulen in Wakkerstroom’s historical NG Church, a flute and piano concert by flutists Pierre Tolsma and Meryl Monard and pianist Annelien Ball, and a solo piano performance by the internationally renowned Laura Pauna.

More information about the fifth Wakkerstroom Music Festival’s programme, ticket sales, accommodation, as well as more information about the second Wakkerstroom Music Festival Bursary Competition can be found on www.wmfestival.co.za. Any queries can be sent to info@wmfestival.co.za