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Teen takes classical music scene by storm

Sauer was selected for the imfonia Juventi Youth Symphony Orchestra which consists of 79 learners from different regions of South Africa.

At 17, Jayden Sauer isn’t just playing music; he’s creating a symphony of ambition with a fiery determination to become a force to be reckoned with in the world of classical music.

Sauer, from Elurduspark in the east of Pretoria, is currently finishing his matric at Hoërskool Waterkloof, and proving that age is no barrier to mastering the art of classical music.

His great achievement was being selected for the Simfonia Juventi youth symphony orchestra recently.

The orchestra consists of 79 learners from different regions of South Africa and its criteria for admission are musical knowledge and ability as well as competence on a specific symphonic instrument.

Sauer said his other musical achievements were playing in the Johannesburg Youth and Hoërskool Waterkloof School orchestras and a jazz ensemble.

Young musician Jayden Sauer. Photo: Supplied

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He said he doesn’t know what especially inspired him to play an instrument, but that he was able to play several from an early age.

“For what inspired me to pursue music I can’t think of anything specific. I took piano lessons from Grade 2, but it was nothing serious and was mostly because my mother played piano at the time. It’s only in high school that I started playing the alto saxophone.”

Sauer said his love for jazz music somehow got out of control “and now it has become a crucial part of my life”.

He started playing the saxophone in Grade 8 and clarinet in Grade 10. He also passed his Trinity School of Music Grade 8 exams for both instruments.

Sauer said he believes he comes from a generation of great musicians.

“My grandmother played the violin and piano. My grandfather’s family all play different types of musical instruments. Some of them played in bands and others just loved making music,” he said.

He said his reason for loving the saxophone is that he wanted to play the “coolest” instrument.

“I chose the saxophone because for as long as I can remember, I wanted to play what I thought is the coolest instrument. When I got the chance to learn how to play it in Grade 8, I grabbed it with both hands. Now I love playing the saxophone even more than I did in the beginning. The instrument’s versatility is what draws me to it like a magnet.”

Sauer said his dream as a musician is to be able to confidently play to inspire people.

“Through all of this, I do know that I need to stay humble as my talent is a gift from God, which I was blessed to receive.”

He explained that as much as he achieves both academically and musically, there are a lot of challenges.

“A challenge of balancing my music with my academic studies is time management. Music and academics require a lot of time and energy if you want to make a success of both. A reward for achieving a balance between the two is also a balanced life,” he said.

He said it is challenging to explain the feeling of performing with an orchestra in a single emotion.

“Part of it is the stress of playing alone in front of people who most likely paid to attend the concert because in the performing arts industry, anything less than perfection is not going to cut it.”

He added that when performing you must give your 100%, every time you pick up your instrument, otherwise you won’t be able to fully express yourself and convince the audience of what you are playing.

“But the feeling of playing and expressing yourself through music is satisfaction because you enjoy what you are playing, and if a musician does not enjoy their playing, then the people listening will pick this up and not enjoy it.”

He said memorable experiences he’s had in his musical career so far include winning awards and being selected to play in the youth orchestra.

“But if I have to sum it up, for me it is the orchestra members and my coaches that create these memorable moments, irrespectively in which orchestra I play as they accept me for who I am and to be myself.”

Sauer can also play the piano and is currently experimenting and learning bass guitar and acoustic guitar.

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