Gauteng musicians hit the right note
JOHANNESBURG – Samro continues to give talented South Africans a shot at making it big in the international music industry.
Southern African Music Rights Organisation (Samro) recently unveiled the 12 semifinalists in the this year’s Overseas Scholarships Competition.
Four of the lucky 12 semifinalists, comprising Linda Sikhakhane, Matthew Lombard, Siya Charles and Benjamin Jephta, hail from Gauteng and are in the race to win one of two scholarships valued at R200 000 to further their music studies abroad, as well as an array of additional awards.
All 12 participants will compete in the semifinal round held in Johannesburg on 18 August, where they will be judged by a panel of music professionals. Two jazz and two western art music finalists will go head-to-head during a public concert at the Linder Auditorium on 20 August. Included in the finalists’ repertoire will be premiere performances of challenging commissioned works written by top South African composers.
“What is interesting about our competition is that some performers hold it in such high regard that they are willing to wait a long time to re-enter our competition. It speaks to the values of persistence, patience and perseverance, qualities that often make for long-term successful careers in the music business,” said André le Roux, Samro foundation managing director.
“For us, it bears testament to the stature of this competition that we are seeing repeat entrants, some from eight years ago and others from four years ago. This year, they have returned having sharpened their musical chops for another shot at the top prize,” said Le Roux.
Jazz trumpeter Darren English, winner of the Samro Overseas Scholarships Competition in 2012, graduated from Georgia State University in 2014. Now based in Georgia, English recently released his first album, Imagine Nation, which is doing exceptionally well.
He is the youngest artist to be signed to leading Atlanta jazz label, Hot Shoe Records.
