MIAGI-Youth Orchestra and Youth BigBand - MYO & MYBB - 2013 & 2014!

Read about our conductor, Duncan Ward and soloist/composer Anders Paulsson, soprano saxophone, at our artists page

Information about the music collecting points further down on this page!

The members of the MIAGI Youth Orchestra for the seasons 2013 and 2014 have been selected! Auditions took place in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein, Stellenbosch and Cape Town

A WARM WELCOME TO EVERYBODY ESPECIALLY TO ALL OUR MANY NEW MEMBERS!

The first MIAGI Youth Orchestra course for this season will be taking place from 27 April to 4 May, 2013.

We have a great and challenging programme, a wonderful conductor, and an array of wonderful instructors from South Africa and abroad (please find a first glimpse of all this below).

Dear Miagians - A FRIENDLY REMINDER music is waiting for you to be collected at a central collecting point in your respective cities. Please make it a point to collect the music as soon as possible – BEFORE END OF 28th OF MARCH! A pack for each individual has been sent.

Pretoria: MIAGI, 7th Floor State Theatre Building, 320 Pretorius Street - Munashe Muchina & Sisa Chumi 012 320 5154 , collection can be done during office hours 08h00- 16h00.

Johannesburg: Please contact MIAGI office to make arrangements to collect – email: info@miagi.co.za or call 012 320 5154

Port Elizabeth: Judy Speyers (if you do not know how to reach Judy, please contact MIAGI office for her details)

Bloemfontein: Musicon - Peter Guy or Francois Henkins (same as above, please contact MIAGI office for their details)

Cape Town: Marina Louw, (please contact MIAGI office for her details) Music can be collected Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday

Stellenbosch: Lieva Starker (please contact MIAGI office for her details)

If you need any further information or help? Please call MIAGI office or e-mail info@miagi.co.za

'MIAGI and the Swedish Odyssey - with the Times' at the MIAGI Youth Orchestra Course:

A warm welcome to our three instructors from our partner organisation Lilla Akademien in Sweden: Kerstin Andersson (violin), Bengt Rosengren (oboe) and Mikael Oskarsson (trombone).

And a very special welcome to soprano saxophonist and composer/arranger Anders Paulsson - widely considered one of the finest soprano saxophonists in the world today - Anders will work with our saxophone section and eventually compose for us! The work 'in progress' that will begin to take shape at the orchestra course in April will be written in the style of JazzicalRapHipHop :-). Anders is joined by Swedish rappers Rikard de Bruin and Marcus Larsson from Fryshuset - a further Swedish MIAGI partner within the MIAGI and the 'Swedish Odyssey - with the Times' project.

The activities within this partnership are funded by Sida through the Embassy of Sweden in Pretoria - thank you Sweden!

Follow MIAGI on:

MIAGI-Youth Orchestra and Youth BigBand - MYO & MYBB - 2012!

MYO & MYBB TOUR OF EUROPE - 16 July to 1 August 2012

PERFORMANCES AMONG OTHERS, AT THE YOUNG EURO CLASSIC FESTIVAL - KONZERTHAUS BERLIN, GERMANY, THE CARINTHISCHER SOMMER FESTIVAL - KONGRESSHAUS VILLACH, AUSTRIA AND LUDWIGSBURGER SCHLOSSFESTSPIELE IN GERMANY

In anticipation of the tour, click for a MIAGI film from 2011 - MYO playing an excerpt from Bernstein's 'On the Waterfront'!

July 18 - New Skool Orchestra @ MIAGI Ludwigsburger Schlossfestspiele

July 19 - MYO at Ludwigsburger Schlossfestspiele

21 July - MYO at Carinthischer Sommer Festival

Background: Due to the MYO & MYBB’s overwhelming media and audience success at the Young Euro Classic festival at the Konzerthaus in Berlin in 2009, the young musicians have received an invitation to perform the opening concert of the Festival on 27 July 2012, www.young-euro-classic.de .

Photos: Christian Muthspiel, Tshepo Tsotetsi and Regomodicoe Molosioa

Programme:

In April 2011 Christian Muthspiel conducted the MYO & MYBB and due to the huge success MIAGI invited him to be the conductor for the upcoming tour of Europe. MIAGI also commissioned Muthspiel to create a new intercultural composition in collaboration with a member of the MYO & MYBB, the composer, clarinettist and saxophonist Tshepo Tsotetsi. For the purpose of the upcoming tour, Tshepo was in Vienna in early October 2011 where he together with Christian, started creating a new intercultural composition. Working name of the composition - Christian Muthspiel: Out of South Africa, Symphonic Poem on Themes by Tshepo Tsotetsi (2011/2012) (Commissioned by MIAGI; premiere performance)

The programme will also include Leonard Bernstein’s symphonic suite, On the Waterfront, George Gershwin’s An American in Paris, Claude Debussy’s Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune and Antonin Dvořák’s Romance in F minor for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 11.

Conductor: Christian Muthspiel www.christianmuthspiel.com Soloist in the new intercultural composition Out of South Africa and in Dvořák’s Romance: the world acclaimed South African born violinist Daniel Hope www.danielhope.com

Additional Jazz Performances will be presented by the New Skool Orchestra @ MIAGI

The New Skool Orchestra was born as a result of the informal evenings of music and dance, arranged at the MYO & MYBB courses, the so-called ‘Kwela evenings’.

“The New Skool Orchestra is the voice of young musicians and composers seeking to reach for greater musical, social and educational depths. The orchestra poses a challenge to the young, modern classical and jazz musician, which is to amalgamate and forcefully strengthen reading and improvisation skills, allowing a great freedom to be yet expanding the horizons of unique uniformity. The Orchestra seeks to give young composers the courage to keep producing music of the highest quality, affording them the chance with the orchestra to hear and thoroughly develop their music with a group of young, energetic musicians who are more than willing to learn from these different composers, further fuelling the ideals of a past generation that sought freedom and unity between the different ethnic groups found in South Africa. The New Skool Orchestrais a representative of that unity that our ancestors sought so much”. Quote: Tshepo Tsotetsi - Tshepo was born in Benoni in South Africa in 1990.  He is currently studying clarinet, conducting and composition at the University of Pretoria.

2011 - The MIAGI Youth Orchestra Course took place on the beautiful riverside campus of HeronBridge College near Johannesburg from 21 April to 1 May.

There is no cost to individual participants who have been selected as MIAGI does not exclude anyone on the basis of them not being in a position to contribute towards costs. Aspiring young musicians from all walks of life and from across South Africa are provided with the chance to develop their musical skills and to perform in a professional setting.

'Before the Course' Message to the MYO & MYBB members:

We look forward to enjoying a happy and enriching time together. This can only be possible if everyone cooperates in such a way that our energies are directed positively to the task at hand.

The Staff in charge of you are:
 
Robert Brooks                            Director
Ingrid Hedlund                            Creative Manager
Sisa Chumi                                  Administration / Librarian
Frank Sturgess                             Orchestra Manager
Laetitia    Gray                            Chaperone / Nurse
PJ Christians                               Chaperone / Sports Facilitator
Abel Moshoro                          Driver / Technical Assistant / Stage Manager

Christian Muthspiel                           Conductor
Francois Henkins                              Violin
Sharon de Kock                                Violin
Peter Pecha                                     Viola 
Tilla Henkins                                     Cello
Leon Bosch                                       Bass
Marina Louw                                     Assistant Strings
Gary Roberts                                     Woodwinds
Ceri Moelwyn-Hughes                         Assistant Woodwinds
Christopher Bishop                             Brass
Magda De Vries                                  Percussion
Paul Hanmer                                      Composer

The MIAGI Team

IMPORTANT!!! - Members of the MIAGI Youth Orchestra & Youth BigBand 2011 - HeronBridge 21/4-1/5 2011 - The course explained

Dear MIAGIcians 2011,

With two weeks to go and after a few final selections the 2011 MYO & MYBB membership is now official! Everyone's names are on the attached list. As much as we have tried to avoid errors, please double check spelling and details and get back to me soonest should you find anything that is amiss. This is important as the info needs to be printed in programmes etc.

Although the 2011 orchestra is almost an exact replica of the 2010 orchestra, there have been a few small changes and we would like to extend a special welcome to both those of you who are joining us for the first time as well as to those who have been with us before.

In this letter we would like to explain as much practical detail as necessary and if there remain any open questions please feel free to ask at any time.

Our orchestra has a proud record not only of excellence but also of continual improvement. In order to sustain this we need to depend on everyone's full cooperation. By now you should all have received parts for 3 of the 4 works. It goes without saying that these need to be thoroughly prepared ahead of the course in order that everyone can at that point be concerned with matters of ensemble and interpretation. There is no time there to learn the notes! We will send you copies of the commisioned overture by Paul Hanmer as soon as we receive these from the composer.

Our encore this year will take the form of a collective improvisation based on the thematic material from all the works in the programme...!

Please may we stress that all final rankings and placements will be the prerogative of the course instructors. The placement indications on the names list are just that, merely "indications" based on discussions with past instructors and with the purpose of providing a point of departure. If you personally feel that you should be placed in a "higher" position, then by all means prepare that part and show us what you are capable of! This entire course can in fact in some ways be regarded as your final audition ahead of next years European tour for which we will of necessity be taking a smaller orchestra than this. These final selections will be made by the instructors and staff at this course and will be based both on merit and on conduct in general. Those not selected for 2012 will be placed on a reserve list and called upon in the case of cancellations. Final selections for 2012 will be advised at the end of May after the conclusion of the course.

What does Conduct in General mean? Thankfully most of us already have a reasonable notion of this concept, but for those needing a little extra help it includes strict adherance to all MIAGI as well as HeronBridge rules, a copy of which you will be required to sign on registration. These will include our expectations regarding various aspects of life such as everyone getting enough sleep, punctuality, substance abuse, mutual respect, littering, respect for property, out of bounds areas etc...

We have appointed two charepones, one a registered nurse and the other a sports science professional. These two people bring special qualities and skills with them. They, together with other staff have authority over you in matters of health, discipline and adherence to course rules. Please give them your full support and cooperation.

Air Tickets for those travelling from Cape Town and PE have been purchased and Sisa is in the process of sending all the necessary documentation and information to all concerned. A bus from Bloemfontein and Pretoria will be also be provided and here also Sisa will send out all the required information to the relevant parties. Local Johannesburg participants are requested to make their own travel arrangements. Registration at HeronBridge will take place between 14h00 and 15h00 on 21st April. Most rehearsals will commence that evening immedeately after a short assembly.

What to bring?

• Your instrument and all accessories. Spare strings, rosin, reeds, all mutes (strings and brass) as required in the parts, cello floor boards, a music stand (NB. we will not be providing stands, if you dont already have one, now is the time to buy or borrow one), double bass stools (bassists please bring your own stools and if you really cant, let us know in advance and we will try to assist)
• A padlock to secure your personal belongings
• Any sports equipment you would like to bring. Football etc...Time will be scheduled for coordinated sports activities
• Any special talents and skills and any supporting equipment needed to share those at our now famous "kwela" evenings
• Warm clothing
• Comfortable clothing and footware (sports/running shoes)
• Insect repellant
• Your parts neatly pasted into an excercise book
• A pencil and erasor at all rehearsals
• Concert Attire: Blue jeans and black shoes. We provide MIAGI T shirts.
• A positive attitude -:)

top

The 2010 MIAGI Youth Orchestra and Youth BigBand!

The April/May course 2010 took place on the beautiful (and recently upgraded) riverside campus of HeronBridge College near Johannesburg.  The course culminated in a performance in the Linder Auditorium on the evening of 1 May.

A shorter 'refresher course' will be taking place in Cape Town, before the second MYO & MYBB concert this year, on 25 September at the Cape Town City Hall. This will mark the beginning of a two year working plan for the orchestra during which we would like to keep the core membership as stable as possible with a view to a possible further international tour including a likely return visit to the Young Euro Classic Festival in Berlin.

Here follows key information around the audtions and the MYO & MYBB courses.

New applicants have been accepted only if they were 23 years of age or younger on 1 May 2010, existing members of the orchestra may remain with the orchestra up until age 25.

...below some great photos from the event!... please scroll...

MYO & MYBB rehearsing at the Konzerthaus

Conductor: Marino Formenti

Programme:

Ludwig van Beethoven: Leonore Overture No. 3

Gideon Nxumalo: Jazz Fantasia in an arrangement for symphony orchestra and big band by Denzil Weale, and commissioned by MIAGI

Antonin Dvorak: Symphony 'From the New World'

Apart from attending two amazingly inspiring performances by two youth orchestra 'colleaugues', the Tokyo Geidai Symphony Orchestra and the Schleswig Holstein Festival Orchestra (undoubtedly one of the best orchestras in the world all in all), the performances were preceded by a 6 day preparation phase in Berlin together with Maestro Marino Formenti, including a full day of sectionals with the following instructors (and by a concert in Kassel on 12 August, at the Kultursommer Nordhessen festival):

1st Violin: Kathrin Rabus (concertmaster of the NDR Radiophilharmonie Hannover)

2nd Violin: Tarla Grau (Deutsches Symphonie Orchester Berlin)

Viola: Prof. Ulrich Knörzer (Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra)

Cello: Georg Faust (1st Principal Cello of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra)

Doublebass: Edicson Ruiz (Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra)

Brass: Ehrhard Wetz (Prof. at the University of Music in Mannheim)

The Master Classes

MYO & MYBB rehearsing Nxumalo's Jazz Fantasia

An e-mail to the MYO & MYBB after their performance in Kassel:

"Hi all muscians from MIAGI,

yesterday night I lived to see your really great concert at Town Hall in Kassel.

Amazing the fusion of jazz and classic in Nxumalo´s Jazz Suite, fantastic your performance of Dvorák`s "From The New World". But the bonuses beat most of that, what I
have ever heard and seen!

The feeling and the message, that were high emotions and the declaration of your idea of "one world" couldn`t be performed more reliable.

Thank you very much for a great event, which will last for a long time in my heart.

Keep on going your way!

Andreas G

51yo single father of two boys, who play drums and piano ;-)"

The audience response after the performance on 14 August at the Konzerthaus Berlin at the Young Euro Classic festival cannot easily be described in words but would need to be experienced. So much can be said though, that it exceeded all expectations and dreams.

Ulrich Deppendorf, director of the ARD television station and member of the board of the Deutscher Freundeskreis europäischer Jugendorchester e.V. (German circle of friends of European youth orchestras) - the organiser of Young Euro Classic - was the patron of the evening. During his opening speech at the sold out hall with 1700 listeners, Deppendorf mentioned that the concert with the MYO & MYBB could easily have been sold out twice - such was the demand for tickets.

Makes us very happy and wish to experience something like this also here at home ;-)!

Dancing at the stairs of the Konzerthaus

The MYO & MYBB received the following inspired and inspiring message after the Berlin performance, from Blasko Smilevski, Secretary General of Jeunesses Musicales International:

"Congrats to all members of the Orchestra for the Berlin concert! It was one of the best performances I have ever experienced in my life! If I ever needed inspiration for my work I got it from the first to the last minute of your concert. Hope to see you soon again on some other stage around the world!"

MYO & MYBB rehearsing at the Konzerthaus

More dancing at the press-conference, at the stairs of the Konzerthaus

MYO & MYBB at the press-conference, at the stairs of the Konzerthaus

Marino Formenti begging his orchestra :-)..... at the stairs of the Konzerthaus

MYBB

MYO

Receiving standing ovations after the concert

Kwela with MYO & MYBB to standing ovations after the concert

MYO & MYBB singing our National Anthem before leaving the stage

MYO & MYBB with Marino Formenti at the stairs of the Konzerthaus

Tour impressions - photos by Carolyn Atzl (1st Violin)

...and Party Time Impressions...

...I am afraid I can't remember where I found the following pics. I have downloaded so many from Facebook - it's been great fun to re-live the tour on Facebook in this way, but ... by now, I lost track of the respective owners to the photographs..??!...more Party & Tour pics will follow. Please e-mail me: ingrid@miagi.co.za, if you have objections/suggestions or anything else you would like to discuss!

...more information and more photos will follow...

Violin case mascot who did his job well!

top

Education|MIAGI hosted the National Youth Orchestra and Youth Big Band of Germany on their tour to South Africa in August/September 2009 - On the programme among others: Nxumalo - Jazz Fantasia and Gershwin - Rhapsody in Blue, featuring eminent young German pianist, Caspar Frantz as soloist.

Together with members of the MIAGI Youth Orchestra, the young German musicians performed Gideon Nxumalo´s “Jazz Fantasia” in the arrangement for symphony orchestra and big band by Denzil Weale, commissioned by MIAGI and funded by the Goethe-Institut Südafrika.

Conductor of the concerts was Bernd Ruf, one of the leading musical personalities in the field of classical crossover. The soloist for “Rhapsody in Blue” is Caspar Frantz, born 1980, one of Germany’s most exciting and promising pianists of the younger generation.

The National Youth Orchestra of Germany has performed in numerous projects of epochal impact. These include concerts in Israel led by Gary Bertini, in 1995 the memorial concerts for the victims of the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki or the performance of Verdi’s Requiem in 1997 in the former concentration camp in Theresienstadt. in 1998 the “Thank You America!” tour led by Kurt Masur, marked the 50th anniversary of the Berlin airlift, with concerts in New York, Washington, Boston and Berlin. In the summer of 2006 the National Youth Orchestra, performed in Venezuela at the invitation of Maestro José Antonio Abreu, the revolutionary of Venezuela’s orchestral scene and MIAGI’s world renowned inspirational patron. After four days of rehearsals in Caracas and a concert together with the Young Venezuelan Philharmonic and Gustavo Dudamel, the orchestra embarked on a tour through the western part of the country.  In 2007 the orchestra was appointed as music ambassador of the German EU Council Presidency. For this occasion, it toured through Great Britain, central and South-eastern Europe. The South Africa tour will be the orchestra’s first appearance on the African continent. The young players will be conducted by Bernd Ruf - soloist: Caspar Frantz ....read more about BJO, Ruf and Frantz at our artists page...

Performances:

Pretoria, State Theatre - 30 August, 15h00 - in collaboration with the Capital Arts Festival and the Black Tie Ensemble

Johannesburg, Linder Auditorium - 31 August, 20h00

Bloemfontein, Sand du Plessis Theatre - 2 September, 19h30 - in collaboration with the Free State Youth Orchestra

Port Elizabeth, Feather Market Centre - 4 September, 19h30

Cape Town, City Hall - 6 September, 20h00 - in collaboration with the Cape Philharmonic Youth Orchestra

"I have been blessed with enormous rewards in my life through music, but of all of the things I do in this field, none is more satisfying than to work with talented young people. The Youth Orchestra of Germany comprises some of our most promising musical talents" (Kurt Masur) 

top

Education|MIAGI Youth Orchestra (MYO) and Youth Big Band (MYBB) to Young Euro.Classic 2009 in Berlin, Germany!

We are extremely honoured to be given this opportunity to perform at this festival which sees the best youth orchestras from around the world performing annually to capacity audiences over a three week period. We have been given a very prominent Friday night slot at the festival which celebrates its 10th year of existence in 2009!  More information about young.euro.classic at www.young-euro-classic.de

top

Education|The 2009 MYO and MYBB Orchestra Course at HeronBridge

Instructors 2009: Marina Louw, Tilla Henkins, Magda de Vries, Leon Bosch, Phil Cox, Francois Henkins, Tim Roberts, Petri Salonen, Rob Watson, Denzil Weale

Conductor: Marino Formenti

This year’s course took place on the beautiful riverside campus of HeronBridge College, close to Johannesburg. The 102 young musicians, all under the age of 23 came from all corners of South Africa.

The first three days consisted mainly of sectional rehearsals under the guidance of high ranking instrumental specialists. The remainder of the course was dedicated mostly to tutti rehearsals under the expert guidance of Marino Formenti.

Maestro Formenti put the young players through their paces in the Beethoven Leonora overture no 3, the Jazz Fantasia by Gideon Nxumalo and the Dvorak New World Symphony and went on to lead them in a startlingly beautiful performance, drawing a standing ovation from the audience at the final performance in Johannesburg’s Linder auditorium on 2 May.

This year’s course saw two “Kwela Evenings” which provided an opportunity for participants to share their musical gifts socially, in a relaxed and informal manner. As usual these occasions brought out the enormous talent shared amongst our young musicians

There were also movie nights and a Vuvuzela workshop presented by Pedro Espi Sanchis. This culminated in a range of newly discovered skills being put on display to the departing audience in the Linder auditorium foyer after the performance!

Following the performance the local participants returned home with their families and friends while those from afar returned for one more night to HeronBridge where they spent the rest of the night chatting around the bonfire, before catching their busses and flights back home.

top

Education|MYO and MYBB 2009 Highlights table schedule

Click here for a short film about the MIAGI Youth Orchestra and Big Band and the Orchestra Course 2008!

Apart from our main Orchestra Course during April and May we are scheduling a short refresher course immediately prior to our departure for Germany.

Upon our return to South Africa the MYO and MYBB will be hosting the National Youth Orchestra and National Youth Big Band of the Federal Republic of Germany during their tour of South Africa between 27 August and 08 September. The two orchestras will be sharing a common repertoire piece during the two tours in the form of the Jazz Fantasia by the late South African composer, Gideon Nxumalo as arranged for Symphony Orchestra and Big Band by leading South African pianist and arranger, Denzil Weale and commissioned by MIAGI.

Gideon Nxumalo

The members of the MYO and MYBB are especially honoured for the opportunity to present South African composer Gideon Nxumalo, perhaps one of South Africa’s greatest unsung musical heroes. A gifted composer, writer, actor and artist Nxumalo was largely self-taught. He became an accomplished pianist but also played various instruments such as the clarinet, cello, the viola and what he called ‘the chopi chopsticks’ – the marimba. He composed orchestral works, plays, musicals, symphonies, overtures, jingles and musical themes and worked as music teacher and a talent scout and had a great influence on those he taught, amongst them the likes of Philip Tabane, Morris Manana and Allen Kwela. Gideon Nxumalo or Mgibe, as his admirers called him, passed away on 24 December 1970 at the young age of 40, but his works remain.

top

THE MIAGI YOUTH ORCHESTRAS 2009 - INFORMATION

The MIAGI Youth Orchestra and Youth Big Band course took place on the beautiful riverside campus of HeronBridge College just north of Johannesburg between 25 April and 3 May 2009.  The course culminated in a performance in the Linder Auditorium on the evening of 2. This performance will be repeated on 4 August in Cape Town, at Cape Town City Hall.

Programme:

Ludwig van Beethoven’s Leonore overture No. 3 and the monumental: Symphony No. 9, From the New World, by Antonin Dvořák. MYO and MYBB will also be sharing a very special common repertoire piece in 2009: Jazz Fantasia by the late South African composer, Gideon Nxumalo (read more about Nxumalo at the top of this page) . This work will be performed in the form of a MIAGI commissioned arrangement for Symphony Orchestra and Big Band, by leading South African pianist and arranger, Denzil Weale.

Cost:  There is no cost to individual participants who have been selected, and MIAGI does not exclude anyone because they are not in a position to contribute towards costs. However, if you are able to do so, it would be greatly appreciated if you could contribute something towards expenses.

The closing date for applying for the 2009 MIAGI Youth Orchestras was 15 January 2009. Thank You to Everybody - those of you who were not yet ready this year, please work hard, we look forward to welcoming you at the 2010 Auditions!

top

Education | Overview

Scientists are beginning to find evidence and answers to the powers of music. Music can trigger beneficial psycho-physic mechanisms that cannot be induced by any other activity as effectively. The main objective through MIAGI’s ongoing education programme is to make music education available to an increasing number of youth in South Africa especially in the rural and disadvantaged areas. The music education focuses not only on the classical forms of instruction but also incorporates jazz and indigenous music.

The benefits of access to music education and training to society and to the individual are well documented. Studies have demonstrated that when music education is made available on a massive scale, as has been done in Venezuela by our partner organisation, FESNOJIV (the national system of children's and youth orchestras), there are tangible results in terms of lower crime rates, less drug abuse and in general far better academic and social performance among schoolchildren. MIAGI is Jeunesses Musicales South Africa and FESNOJIV, Jeunesses Musicales Venezuela.

Since 2001 MIAGI has invested some R30 000 000 in South African music education, channelled by partnering with 43 organisations across the country. These were passionate and committed but hampered by limited resources. MIAGI is able to assist by paying teachers’ salaries and providing guidance on greater sustainability.

Testimony to the returns on this investment is the high level of participation from partner organisations in the MIAGI Youth Orchestra and Youth BigBand. These groups have grown from very humble beginnings in 2001 to accomplished performers who, under the skilful guidance of internationally recognised instructors and led by an acclaimed international conductor, are able to showcase their talents and the fruits of their labour before national and international audiences. Cost:  There is no cost to individual participants who have been selected, and MIAGI does not exclude anyone because they are not in a position to contribute towards costs.

As exceptionally gifted individuals have begun to emerge from this process, MIAGI has been able to offer them further support in the form of scholarships and opportunities through the MIAGI Mentor - Protégé Programme. Learners unable to afford their own instruments have access to the MIAGI Instrument Library, which has a growing collection of instruments generously donated during various European campaigns. Learners have free access to performances and workshops by visiting international artists who participate in the annual MIAGI International Festival and MIAGI events.

It is not foreseeable that a structured and directed music education syllabus and programme will be implemented by the National Department of Education in the very near future. Against the backdrop of what are seen as more urgent objectives, it is appreciated that music education is not a priority. Therefore a parallel structure provided by accredited NGOs in the music education field is needed to fill this gap.

MIAGI has kick-started this process by helping to structure music initiatives since 2001. Many of the initiatives that we have been involved with are now thriving and sustainable. The next step is to bolster our Music Initiative Network by structuring the syllabus and creating a national system of initiatives linked to ongoing governmental and international funding.

Children who are involved with music education are more likely to complete high school and go on to study further, and less likely to be involved with gangs and substance abuse - we believe that Music Is A Great Investment…

top

Education | MIAGI is Jeunesses Musicales South Africa!

Making a Difference Through Music

The official appointment by the JMI board, and in the presence of a representative from MIAGI, took place at JMI's annual general assembly held in Ankara, Turkey, 3rd - 7th September 2008. Earlier this year, our application for national membership status had been accepted and endorsed by JMI's legal commission.

JMI is a global members' network, but not a funder of members. The JMI network has been active and expanding, for over 63 years.

Jeunesses Musicales International (JMI) - 'To enable young people to develop through music across all boundaries' (JMI Mission Statement)

JMI was established in 1945, two months after the end of the 2nd world war, as a global youth music movement in support of peaceful co-operation between nations. Today JMI is the largest international cultural organisation for young people in the world. Apart from the projects of the over 45 national and 35 associate member sections, JMI hosts the World Youth Orchestra and the World Youth Choir. JMI has also built the Music Crossroads Southern Africa project, a project that uses music to improve the life circumstances for many thousands of children and youth. With a vast array of activities, JMI has established four priority activity fields embracing all styles of music: Young Musicians, Young Audiences, Youth Empowerment and Youth Orchestras & Ensembles. Annually JMI arranges an estimated 36.000 events in the form of concerts, festivals, workshops, discussion forums, orchestra and choir projects, reaching over 5 million people. JMI is active in over 3 000 cities all over the world.

Through national member section status within JMI, MIAGI enjoys direct access to the organisations information- and data pool; access to the JMI website and newsletter (enabling MIAGI to make our activities and events known through the JMI mailing lists, in over 50 countries); support in form of exchange of know-how between professional co-workers within the JMI global network; a vast array of other exchange opportunities and collaboration projects to the benefit of young musicians, music students and educationists active within the MIAGI - JM South Africa network.

Link to Jeunesses Musicales International: www.jmi.net

Would you like to take part in JMI activities such as the World Youth Choir, please e-mail ingrid@miagi.co.za and we will advice you further.

top

Report on the MIAGI Youth Orchestra Gathering at Maropeng with the Spring Concert at the Linder Auditorium, 06 September - 09 September 2008

Click here for a short film about the MIAGI Youth Orchestra and Big Band and the Orchestra Course 2008!

MIAGI is grateful to everyone who made this event possible, notably the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, the Cultural Fund of the Southern African–German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Goethe-Institut, Johannesburg and the Department of Arts & Culture!

87 young musicians gathered at Maropeng, the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage site, on Saturday the 6th of September. Here they spent the weekend together with German Maestro Patrick Lange, rehearsing their programme for the performance which followed in Johannesburg’s Linder Auditorium on Monday night, the 8th of September.

Patrick Lange has already established himself as an important contributor on the international stage (please read more about Lange on our ‘Artists’ page), and he also has extensive experience working with youth orchestras of international standing such as the Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester, the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela and the Deutsches Bundesjugendorchester, who will be touring South Africa during September 2009 under the auspices of MIAGI. Patrick was assisted by Professor Francois and Mrs. Tilla Henkins who were able to offer valuable additional support especially for the strings. The Big Band was again conducted by Jannie ‘Hanepoot’ van Tonder who is well known to South African jazz audiences as one of our foremost musicians and educators.

The weekend course was in fact a reunion of the members who had attended an eight day course at St. Cyprian's Girls High in Cape Town during April/May. Some of the repertoire which was prepared on that occasion such as the Verdi, La Forza del Destino overture, the Grieg Peer Gynt Suite nr.1, Tchaikovsky’s Marche Slave as well as the Mozart Marriage of Figaro overture was carried forward to new heights. The participants were also introduced to new repertoire in the form of the Hungarian dances numbers 1 and 5 by Johannes Brahms. The Big Band had the opportunity of further developing the South African works by Dave Ledbetter, Dudu Pukwana, Errol Dyers and Douglas Armstrong that they had worked on previously during the earlier course.

Not all work and no play, everyone was given the opportunity to experience the interactive exhibition which is housed in the Tumulus building at Maropeng. Here they were introduced in a fun way to the history and archeological significance of the area.

Participants were also treated to a visit by the Xincayincayi Dance Troupe from the village of Ribungwani in Limpopo Province who’s subtle and complex dance routines had everyone open mouthed in amazement.

Evenings were spent sipping hot chocolate and roasting marshmallows around the campfire.

The Spring Concert at the Linder Auditorium was extremely well received by an almost full to capacity audience. Here the participants were able to demonstrate the fruits of their dedication throughout the year, not only at the various MIAGI get-togethers, but also together with their individual teachers and on their own. The standing ovation that they received was well earned and the announcement that MIAGI had been formally accepted as Jeunesses Musicales South Africa, was greeted with enthusiastic applause from the audience.

Thank you to Tilla Henkins for the photos from Maropeng!

top

Report on the 2008 MIAGI Youth Orchestra Course at St. Cyprian’s Girls High, Cape Town
26 April – 04 May 2008

Click here for a short film about the MIAGI Youth Orchestra and Big Band and the Orchestra Course 2008!

Applications to audition for the MIAGI Youth Orchestra and Big Band 2008 and the expanded week long MIAGI Youth Orchestra Course arrived from young musicians across the country as well as from many youth orchestra organisations.

The 2008 MIAGI Youth Orchestra course was held at St. Cyprian’s Girls High between 26 April and 4 May in Cape Town, culminating in performances and master classes:  the MIAGI Festival 2008 Opening Concert, conducted by Turkish born Maestro Cem Mansur and South Africa’s own Jannie ‘Hanepoot’ van Tonder (big band leader), on May 3rd  at Cape Town City Hall, and the ‘Masterclasses for Orchestra’ with the MIAGI Festival 2008 international star guest, world-renowned violinist/conductor, Unicef Goodwill Ambassador and MIAGI patron Maxim Vengerov, on May 14th  at Cape Town City Hall and May 18th  at the Linder Auditorium in Johannesburg. The work of the conductors was supported and underpinned throughout by a highly competent and dedicated team of nine local and international specialist instructors. Cem Mansur returned to the MIAGI Youth Orchestra for the second time, following the remarkable success he achieved with the MIAGI Youth Orchestra 2007. Through his kindly and patient interaction with the children, combined with respect-inducing musicality and professional, effective rehearsal methods, Mansur managed to bring the young players over and beyond the substantially raised benchmark he had set for them as members of the MIAGI Youth Orchestra 2008.

The 2008 youth orchestra course has, by all accounts, proven to be a great success. The momentum generated by the 2007 experience in Gauteng certainly carried us forward to the longer Cape Town course, which saw a far greater geographical representation, also resulting in a considerably higher standard throughout.

Altogether 99 young participants (of which 57% were boys!) aged between 12 and 22 attended the course. They came from many different geographical, social and cultural backgrounds. Seventy percent of the membership of the MIAGI Youth Orchestra since 2007 has consisted of participants from economically depressed communities. There is no cost to individuals who succeed in their auditions, with only those in a position to do so contributing towards expenses on a voluntary basis. This is made possible through the very generous support of our partner organisations, sponsors, donors and funders.

It has been encouraging to see the wide-spread media interest that has accompanied both the audition process, which took place in January/February, and the course itself. The print media, radio and television all played an important role in publicizing the work that MIAGI is doing. We are also very encouraged by the keen interest and support that we have received from well-known film director Francois Verster, who has recorded many of the various activities. Once this footage has been edited we expect to have some quality audiovisual material available for distribution.

The Course-end Concert and MIAGI Festival 2008 Opening Concert of May 3rd. Cape Town City Hall
The Jazz Band opened the concert with a performance of indigenous South African Jazz under the direction of Jannie ‘Hanepoot’ van Tonder.

“I thought the bigband was an excellent group, from amazingly diverse backgrounds, and was pleased to have met some real talents among them. I think we will be hearing a lot from some of those guys in future..! It is also enormously satisfying having been in the position again where I could expose some youngsters to some uniquely local material they don't get to play much anywhere else, and kudos to MIAGI for allowing that to happen -- in fact I made a point of asking the musicians what they thought of the music and if they'd perhaps prefer playing regular American big band repertoire and each and every one I spoke to said they really loved the tunes we played, and wouldn't want to play anything else …which of course means a lot to me and to my general ongoing mission of making this repertoire available to big bands world-wide ...” Jannie ‘Hanepoot’ van Tonder.

All in all an excellent result… and in the words of one of the band members describing his experience of the concert on facebook:  “(We) were all unbelievably amazing tonight….burning!!!! :) It was soooooooooo tight!!!...”

After the interval, the chamber orchestra performed the Pelimannit Suite by the Finnish composer Rautavaara and the B flat major Cello Concerto by Boccherini, with the young up and coming cellist Abel Selaocoe as soloist. This group was followed by the full symphony orchestra in what turned out to be a startlingly fine performance of Verdi’s La Forza del Destino overture, Grieg’s Peer Gynt Suite number 1 and Tchaikovsky’s Marche Slave.

‘Masterclasses for Orchestra’ with Maxim Vengerov – a MIAGI/Unicef partnership under the distinguished patronage of Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe
The chamber orchestra had the opportunity and additional privilege of spending two further days (14 May in Cape Town and 18 May in Johannesburg) working under the direction of one of the most outstanding musicians and leading music personalities in the world today, acclaimed violinist/conductor Maxim Vengerov.  Apart from further extending some of the repertoire that the young players had already engaged with earlier, this group of young musicians was also thrown into the deep end with the introduction of a new, unfamiliar work, the beautiful overture from Mozart’s opera, the Marriage of Figaro. And something happened that very few people had thought possible, when Vengerov enquired whether he could include this highly virtuosic work in the programme - here the MIAGI Youth Chamber Orchestra demonstrated incredible progress, going beyond their abilities during the three rehearsals and two public masterclasses – a very intense two-day time frame. This is again proof of how much in life is the result of hard, persistent work and how far beyond that, beyond our actual conscious capacity, supreme motivation can take us. This proved to be a very profound and inspirational time, driven by the commitment, dedication, passion and supreme artistry of Maxim Vengerov, for whose patronage and support we are immensely grateful. Abel, who received two further opportunities to perform his concerto during these events, describes the experience as being “like living in a dream, and never wanting it to end…”

Not everything was work and no play as participants were also exposed to an extra‑mural programme - ranging from ballroom dancing and soccer, to an astronomy presentation with a ‘question and answer’ opportunity by the astronomer Kevin Govender, Manager SALT Collateral Benefits Programme, South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO), in anticipation of the International Astronomical Year 2009. Govender gave inspired answers to many a philosophically intricate question such as: ”if there is no up and down in the universe… then can you tell me please, where is heaven?” The now firmly-entrenched kwela evenings again proved to be a melting pot of cultural diversity as participants brought their own unique contributions to the stage. It is probably here more than anywhere else where one sees the new generation of South Africans united and strengthened in diversity. A well-deserved mid-course break took the form of an outing to Cape Point, which was enjoyed by all.

A selection of comments from the participants

“(The course) exposed me to things I’ve never played before, pushed me out of my comfort zone – in a good way” Jacqueline Hawker. Tshwane Youth Orchestra “It was better than last year’s one. It was astonishing…” Obakeng Moatshe. University of Pretoria

“Amazing….learnt priceless info on listening and playing in a balanced section…if music be the food of love…play on. Next year – Bloem!!!”  Darren Brookbanks. SACS. Cape Town

“WOW! EXCELLENT! MIAGI has really raised its standard! Awesome organisation…” Thabang Sekhu. STTEP Music School. Pretoria

“I loved this course! While I was playing the solo horn part in the Grieg, I felt “at home”. I have never experienced something like this and if it wasn’t for MIAGI, I might have experienced that too late, or never….This course brought me closer to the horn and now I love it more than ever!” Jaco Prinsloo. Affies

“It was amazing. An experience I cannot easily imagine forgetting…” Anna James. UCT

“It was really amazing! I learnt so much and all the people were awesome!” Larissa Johnson. Johannesburg Youth Orchestra “(The course) was well constructed with interesting and inspiring staff” Alexei du Bois. UCT

“Never stop doing this kind of course. It was absolutely amazing…one of the best courses I’ve been on. Many people enjoyed it and the vibe was just so enjoyable. THANKS!!!” Freya Apffelstaedt. German School. Cape Town

“I enjoyed meeting new people from across SA. The organisation was excellent – you thought of everything!” Christine-Marie Louw. Cape Philharmonic Youth Orchestra

“It was a wonderful experience which I enjoyed very much…next time…even more challenging repertoire” Thapelo Masita. Bloemfontein SO

“It was a wonderful experience and just made me fall in love with the violin all over again” Donné de Kock. Eagles Kingdom Academy, Welkom “I was very pleased to be at the course. Everything was marvelous” Kwazi Mkula. Wynberg Secondary

“I really enjoyed the course, it was well organized and it was a great learning experience” Karla Arends. Alexander Road High. Port Elizabeth

“It was a wonderful, good experience all-in-all” Levi Alexander. Hugo Lambrecht Music Centre. Parow

“It was an incredible learning experience! Both as a musician and as a social being” Mietze Dill. University of Pretoria “The course has really uplifted me personally, musically and socially. Keep up the good work.” Thabiso Sekhu. STTEP Music School. Pretoria

“I had a great week. Thank you for inviting me to be part of such a wonderful event. Keep up the good work. Your enthusiasm for the development of music in SA is truly inspirational” Alet vd Berg. NMMU. Port Elizabeth

“As a parent of a participant I would personally like to thank you for a wonderful experience. Michaela has been on various workshops before, but this I feel has been the best organised of them all. The continuous correspondence made me feel relaxed about Michaela’s safety at all times. I know that she also thoroughly enjoyed herself, and as a musician has grown both in maturity and experience. The interaction I witnessed between the children was wonderful to see...” Cheryl van Blerk. Parent

Some statistics

Organising a course such as the MIAGI Youth Orchestra Course is a huge undertaking – this one only realises once the planning has begun.  It is the generous support of our sponsors, funders, donors and partners, the commitment and professionalism of the conductors and instructors, the willing and patient assistance of the chaperones and parents, and the enthusiasm and commitment of the participants that have made the MIAGI Youth Orchestra Course 2008 such an outstanding success.  St Cyprian’s was almost tailor-made for the requirements of the course, and we would like to thank the staff there for their tireless hard work in feeding, entertaining and organising 99 young people.  Special thanks also to Mrs Wendy Ackermann of Pick ‘n Pay, for financial assistance with the catering requirements.

There are many individuals and groups that worked quietly in the background, supporting MIAGI – the City of Cape Town, Artscape, those who assisted with instrument rentals, the transport companies, the German Shepherd Dog Club (who provided security during performances at the Cape Town City Hall)... in the final count, the number of people involved is staggering, and each and every one played a part in creating this wonderful experience.

THANK YOU to Marina Louw for the photos she has so kindly given to MIAGI.  Photos of the Jazz Band taken by David Lindbergh.

top

Miagi Youth Chamber Orchestra 2008

Violin 1
Michael Duffet (Rondebosch High, Cape Town)
Donné De Kock (ACE, Welkom)
Odile Lesch (US, Stellenbosch)
Anele Mhlahlo (Camps Bay High, Cape Town)
Yee Chen Huang (UCT, Cape Town)
Minet Labuschagne (Roedean, Johannesburg)
Bongane Pandeka (JYO, Johannesburg)
Anna James (UCT, Cape Town)
Lesiba Mogolane (STTEP, Pretoria)
Nelsiwe Molaba (WESSOM, Johannesburg)

Violin 2
David Green (NMMU, Port Elizabeth)
Siobhan Lloyd-Jones (UP Pretoria)
Carla Van den Berg (Hoërskool Florida, Johannesburg)
Carli D'Alebout (Welkom Volkskool, Welkom)
Freya Appffelstaedt (German School, Cape Town)
Alta Grobbelaar (Goudveld, Welkom)
Leago Dibakwane (MYMO, Pretoria)
George Ntuli (WESSOM, Johannesburg)

Viola
Maike Gevers (CPYO, Cape Town)
Obakeng Moatshe (UP, Pretoria)
Kgaugelo Mpyane (TYSO, Pretoria)
Michaela Van Blerk (Sans Souci, Cape Town)
Moeketsi Kang (Musicon, Bloemfontein)
Sipho Sibiya (TYSO, Pretoria)
Katlego Baloyi (TYSO, Pretoria)

Cello
Abel Selaocoe (SJC, Johannesburg)
Dane Coetzee (CPYO, Cape Town)
John Minnaar (UOFS, Bloemfontein)
Nicola Sturgess (Roedean, Johannesburg)
Reggie Teys (Bochabelo Strings, Bloemfontein)
Thapelo Masita (Bochabelo Strings, Bloemfontein)

Bass
Nantwin Apffelstaedt (CPYO, Cape Town)
Viwe Mkizwana ( JYO, Johannesburg)
Thembinkosi Mavimbela (WESSOM, Johannesburg)

Oboes
Heidemarie Meyer (UPSO, Pretoria)
Anja Haupt (CPYO, Cape Town)

Horns
Alet Van Den Berg (NMMU, Port Elizabeth)
Jaco Prinsloo (AFFIES, Pretoria)

top

Miagi Youth Orchestra 2008

Violin 1
Michael Duffet (Rondebosch High, Cape Town)
Donné de Kock (ACE, Welkom)
Odile Lesch (US, Stellenbosch)
Anele Mhlahlo (Camps Bay High, Cape Town)
Yee Chen Huang (UCT, Cape Town)
Minet Labuschagne (Roedean, Johannesburg)
Bongane Pandeka (JYO, Johannesburg)
Anna James (UCT, Cape Town)
Lesiba Mogolane (STTEP, Pretoria)
Nelsiwe Molaba (WESSOM, Johannesburg)
Dineo Molebatsi (BSO, Bloemfontein
Lebogang Ledwaba (TYSO, Johannesburg)
Jacquiline Hawker (Pretoria Girls High, Pretoria)
Morena Chabana (MSO / BSO, Bloemfontein)
Bernard Myburgh (Woodridge College, Jeffreys Bay)

Violin 2
David Green (NMMU, Port Elizabeth)
Siobhan Lyoyd-Jones (UP, Pretoria)
Carla Van den Berg (Hoerskool Florida, Johannesburg)
Carli D'Alebout (Welkom Volkskool, Welkom)
Freya Appffelstaedt (German School, Cape Town)
Alta Grobbelaar (Goudveld, Welkom)
Leago Dibakwane (MYMO, Pretoria)
George Ntuli (WESSOM, Johannesburg)
Alfred Kutumela (UP, Pretoria)
Sue-Phil Petersen (BSO,  Bloemfontein)
Mmashiko Kgatle (TYSO, Pretoria)
Christine – Marie Louw (CPYO, Cape Town)
Larissa Johnson (Sacred Heart, Johannesburg)

Viola
Maike Gevers (CPYO, Cape Town)
Obakeng Moatshe (UP, Pretoria)
Kgaugelo Mpyane (TYSO, Pretoria)
Michaela Van Blerk (Sans Souci, Cape Town)
Moeketsi Kang (Musicon, Bloemfontein)
Sipho Sibiya (TYSO, Pretoria)
Katlego Baloyi (TYSO, Pretoria)
Jeanne Vanderlinden (Tygerberg High, Cape Town)
Olga Granova (UPSO, Pretoria)
Theo Msize (TYSO, Pretoria)
Luvuyo Magagula (TYSO, Pretoria)

Cello
Abel Selaocoe (SJC, Johannesburg)
Dane Coetzee (CPYO, Cape Town)
John Minnaar (UOFS, Bloemfontein)
Natasha Otero (CPYO, Cape Town)
Nicola Sturgess (Roedean, Johannesburg)
Reggie Teys (Bochabela Strings, Bloemfontein)
Thapelo Masita (Brebner/BSO, Bloemfontein)
Mietze Dill (UP, Pretoria)
Kwazi Mkula (Wynberg Secondary, Cape Town)
Neo Phambuka (NSA, Johannesburg)
Koketso Dingaan (TYSO, Pretoria)

Bass
Nantwin Apffelstaedt (CPYO, Cape Town)
Viwe Mkizwana (Orchestra Company, Johannesburg)
Thembinkosi Mavimbela (WESSOM, Johannesburg)
Johann Schuster (Musicon, Bloemfontein)
Siyolise Nyondo (BSO, Bloemfontein)
Jonalene Taylor (BSO, Bloemfontein)
Nkosinathi Mabona (JYO, Johannesburg)
 
Flute & Piccolos
Tarryn Mentoor (UCT, Cape Town)
Karla Arends (Alexander Road H, Port Elizabeth)
Laetitia van Niekerk (UP, Pretoria)
Xolile Mashaba (WESSOM, Johannesburg)

Oboes
Heidemarie Meyer (UPSO, Pretoria)
Anja Haupt (CPYO, Cape Town)
Sinikiwe Simakani (NSA, Johannesburg)
 
Clarinets
Chrisholm Jones (SACM, Cape Town)
Geoffrey Williams (U Wits, Johannesburg)
Ntokozo Mnguni (WESSOM, Johannesburg)
Felicity Lupton-Smith (CPYWE, Cape Town)
 
Bassoons
Charl Van der Merwe (US, Stellenbosch)
Brigitta van Besouw (CPYO, Cape Town)
Phakmile Msize (Motherwell High, Port Elizabeth)

Trumpets & Cornets
Bhekinkosi Hlatshwayo (WESSOM, Johannesburg )
Nathan Lawrence (US, Stellenbosch)
Ferdinand Schenck (UP, Pretoria),
Thabiso Sekhu (STTEP, Pretoria)

Horns
Alet Van den Berg (NMMU, Port Elizabeth)
Jaco Prinsloo (AFFIES, Pretoria)
Jaco van Staden (TUT, Pretoria)
Tsholofelo Sithole (STTEP, Pretoria)

Trombones
Thabang Sekhu (STTEP, Pretoria)
Michael Barnes (CPYO/Bergvliet H, Cape Town)
Sicelo Gangxa (ECYO/Ndyebo H, Port Elizabeth)

B Trombone
Leeroy Simpson (US, Stellenbosch)

Tuba
Alexei du Bois (UCT, Cape Town)

Harps
Barbara Mostert (Hugo Lambrechts, Cape Town)
Vivienne Janse Van Rensburg (Trinity House, Johannesburg)

Timpani
Stephan Galvin (CPYO, Cape Town)

Percussion
Loandi Richter (Hoërskool Florida, Johannesburg)
Reuben Crowie (Beau Soleil, Cape Town)

top

Miagi Youth Big Band 2008

Alto Saxophones
Darren Brookbanks (S.A.C.S., Cape Town)
Jodie Emery (Alexander Road HS, Port Elizabeth)

Tenor Saxophones
Nhlanhla Mahlangu (CAFCA, Pretoria)
Boitiele Mntungwa (Wessom, Johannesburg)

Baritone Saxophone
Levi Alexander (Hugo Lambrechts, Cape Town)

Trumpets
Bhekinkosi Hlatshwayo (WESSOM, Johannesburg)
Ferdinand Schenck (UP, Pretoria)
Nathan Lawrence (US, Stellenbosch)
Thabiso Sekhu (STTEP, Pretoria)

Trombones
Thabang Sekhu (STTEP, Pretoria)
Michael Barnes (CPYO/Bergvliet H – Cape Town)
Sicelo Gangxa (ECYO/Ndyebo H, Port Elizabeth)

Bass Trombone
Leeroy Simpson (US, Stellenbosch)

Guitar
Aldert du Toit (Parel Vallei, Somerset West)

String Bass
Bradley Bulelani Maponya (JYO, Johannesburg)

Piano
Jozua Loots (UP, Pretoria)

Drumkit
Geruan Geldenhuys (UFS, Bloemfontein)

top