Catch young KZN orchestral performers in concert
The KZN Philharmonic, in conjunction with the South African Society of Music Teachers, held open auditions to talent scout for young soloists.
THE annual KZN Young Performers concert will take place on Saturday, 21 May at 7pm at the Drama Theatre in the Playhouse.
The KZN Philharmonic Orchestra in association with the South African Society of Music Teachers presents a special one-off concert to showcase the solo skills of some of the most promising young KZN orchestral performers and vocalists in a variety-concert type format performing an eclectic repertoire of classical highlights, opera arias, choruses and even crossover opera/pop.
Entry is free and all are welcome. There is no charge for tickets but they must be reserved in advance. To secure your seats, call 031-369-9438 to book tickets during office hours.
The concert features the sublime KZN Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Naum Rousine.
After a rigorous auditions process, the following soloists have been selected to perform: Two violin solos: Emma Steenkamp (8) performing Vivaldi Concerto in A minor, 3rd movement and Sabastian Marimuthu (11) performing Seitz Concerto 1 in A major, 1st movement. There will be two cello solos, Ayanda Makulwane and William Nobelo (both 24) performing Vivaldi Concerto 2, movements 1 and 2. On piano will be Xizhi Aiden Luo (4) performing Noona Concertino in C major, 3rd movement; Weien Amy Luo (8) performing Sheutsova Concerto Variations Op.3; Alessia Zedde (12) performing Haydn Concerto in C major, 3rd movement and Joseph Carmody (10) performing Haydn Concerto in C major, 1st movement. Alida Esterhuizen (12) will be showing off her recorder skills with Sammartini Concerto in F major, 2nd movement.
Budding vocalists will also take to the stage: Marianthe Panas (15) performing Rachmaninoff’s All by Myself; Sabrina Loubser’s (16) rendition of Mozart’s Vedrai, Carino from Don Giovanni; Nathan Julius (17) doing Haydn’s Auf starkem Fittiche from The Creation; Ellen Pretorius (17) and Marianthe Panas (and vocalists from Crawford School) in Freddie Mercury’s iconic Barcelona and Nzuzo Masuku (21) performing Handel’s Vieni, O Cara, A Consolarmi. Ekwazini High School in uMlazi boasts four entrants in this year’s concert: Nolwazi Gumede (14) sings Khumalo’s Ngiyamazi uZibhebhu, and quartet Nosipho Kortjaas (20), Thulasizwe Kweshube (19), Nomathemba Mthethwa (18) together with Nolwazi Gumede sing Sibisi’s Zenzeni na?
The KZN Philharmonic, in conjunction with the South African Society of Music Teachers, held open auditions to talent scout for young soloists. The judging panel of respected musical professionals comprised Naum Rousine; Priscilla Crundwell; Sareen Young; Tania Borman and Dr Ros Conrad.
“This is their first opportunity to perform with a professional orchestra and is often the springboard to their future musical careers,” said Bongani Tembe: chief executive and artistic director of the KZN Philharmonic.
“While serving South Africa with distinctly professional orchestra performances, the KZN Philharmonic also dedicates much of its time and energy to enriching the community through its education and development programme. The Young Performers initiative is in keeping with this transference of skills which allows industry-professionals to engage with our up-and-coming stars and work with the KZN Philharmonic enabling them to benefit from a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and live their dreams,” continues Tembe.
