ARTSCAPE NATIONAL YOUTH MUSIC COMPETITIO​N 1-5 OCTOBER

The Artscape National Youth Music Competition strikes a royal flush this year with contestants participating in all four categories of the contest for the first time since its inception in 2007. The competition runs from 1 to 5 October in the Artscape Theatre and, the final round on the 5th is at 19.30.

Twenty three gifted musicians between the ages of 15 and 19 years have been selected at auditions to compete in the categories for piano, strings, wind instruments and other orchestral instruments.

Artscape CEO, Michael Maas states that this is one of the top three music competitions in South Africa, and the only one where the finalists compete against each other, accompanied by the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO). It is a prestigious annual event that offers cash prizes totalling more than R110 000, as well as gold, silver and bronze medals. Category winners and their runners-up also gain free entry to a UNISA grade examination in 2014.

Maas says, “We are thrilled to have a royal flush with a percussionist and a harpist joining the challenge.  Last year's contest rendered an exciting unexpected result when, Kensuke Kawajiri (14) and Sulayman Human (19), both pianists, shared the laurels after receiving perfect, matching scores from eight adjudicators.”

This national competition caters for emerging musicians who are below the age limit for the UNISA International Music Competition and the ATKV Muziq competition. Having players in all four categories confirms our belief that there is a lot of undiscovered young talent out there”.

Each contestant takes part in the first two rounds, after which a maximum of twelve competitors go through to the third round. Thereafter, six finalists are chosen to perform with the CPO at a gala concert under the baton of British maestro, Tim Murray.

During the first two rounds, each competitor must play four works from at least three different style periods. One of the works must be a movement from a classical or romantic sonata. A later style period is allowed for brass instruments and saxophone.

Third round, contestants play a 20-minute recital of contrasting works, as well as a movement from a concerto; or a single work for the chosen instrument; or two movements from a concerto; or a complete concerto with piano accompaniment.

The adjudicators for 2013 include prominent academics and musicians from across South Africa whose expertise covers most of instruments represented in the competition. They are Ella Fourie (Piano), John Hinch (Flute), Franklin Larey (Piano), Marion Lewin (Cello), Michael Maas (CEO of Artscape), Suzanne Martens (Violin), Kutlwano Masote (Violin), Brandon Phillips (Bassoon) and Polina Burdukova (Cello).

In collaboration with UNISA, Artscape last year introduced a shadow jury consisting of former contestants to train them to becoming future music adjudicators. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive," says Maas.

The shadow jury this year are Matthew Ferrandi (Clarinet) Sang Woo Jun (Violin), Myles Roberts (Flute), Lieva Starker (Violin), Louise Theart (Flute) and the 2011 overall winner Eben Wagenstroom (Piano).  They will be advised by Arisa Voges and Sean Adams from UNISA.

All the rounds are open to the public. Entrance is free for the first three rounds and performed in the Artscape Theatre.

Round One Tuesday 1 October: Session 1: 15:00 - 17:30. Session 2: 19:00 - 21:30

Round Two Wednesday 2 October: Session 1: 09:00 - 12:45. Session 2: 14:00 - 17:45

Round Three Thursday 3 October: Session 1: 10:00 - 12:20. Session 2: 14:00 - 16:20
Session 3: 19:00 - 21:20

The final round on 5 October at 19.30 cost R100 per person. Block bookings of 10 or more, less 10%,   Pensioners, Students and Scholars 5-15 years R40. Book through Artscape Dial-a-Seat 021 421-7695, Computicket, Shoprite and Checkers outlets, call 0861 915 8000 or on line www.computicket.com

The National Youth Music Competition is presented by Artscape in association with the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra, the City of Cape Town, Rupert Music Foundation and Fine Music Radio.

FIRST ROUND CONTESTANTS


NAME       INSTRUMENT TOWN/REGION/SUBURB


Emilio February (15), Percussion, Cape Town -Thornton

Niel Robertson (19), Flute, Cape Town - Mowbray

Danielle Rossouw (15), Clarinet, Cape Town - Welgemoed

Bronwyn Van Wieringen (18), Piano, Cape Town - Camps Bay

Caron Tremble (17), Bassoon, Cape Town - Brackenfell

Talisa Symons (19), Violin, Cape Town - Brackenfell

Tineke Wolfaardt |(17), Violin, Cape Town - Durbanville

Jesse Brand (16), Violin, Western Cape - Stellenbosch

Henley Jun  (16), Piano, Western Cape - Stellenbosch

Roelof Temmingh  (16), Piano, Western Cape - Stellenbosch

Danielle Salies (16), Violin, Western Cape - Paarl

Axolile Hoza (19), Flute, Western Cape - Caledon

Sakhile Humbane (17), Flute, Durban - Kwa Mashu

Rashalia Pather (19), Piano, Durban - Malvern

Misha Favis (17), Cello, Johannesburg - Parktown North

Francis Whitehead (15), Violin, Johannesburg - Dunkeld

Vivienne Janse Van Rensburg (19), Pedal Harp, Johannesburg - North Riding

Wilmien Janse Van Rensburg (17), Violin, Johannesburg - Melville

Jonathan Mayer (18), Violin, Johannesburg - Randburg

Amy Stessl   (15), Flute, Sandton - Wendywood

Lezanti Van Sittert (17), Piano, Pretoria -Theresa Park

Cameron Williams (16), Alto - Soprano Sax, Pretoria - Centurion

Mieke Struwig (17), Clarinet, Port Elizabeth - Summerstrand

 PRIZES

First Prize, Gold Medal (includes the category prize) R25 000 * 
Categories:
  -  Prize Winners, Silver Medal R 5 000
  -  Runners-up, Bronze Medal R 2 500
 All third round participants R 2 000
 All final round participants R 2 500
Yaltah Menuhin Award and Medal for the best pianist R4 000
Leon Hartshorne Award (best wind instrumentalist) R 4 000
Pauline Nossel Prize (best performance of a classical                                             
work by a pianist R 4 000
 Best performance of a concerto in the final round R 2 000  
Best performance of a South African work R 2 000
Most promising participant who is not a finalist R 1 500
*UNISA Shadow Jury Prize  R 2 000

Other prizes include the UNISA prizes for category winners and runners-up
to allow them to enter a UNISA grade examination in 2014 at no cost.
The overall winner will perform in concert at the Hilton College KwaZulu, Natal.
*The first prize amount includes the category prize as well as the third-round and final-round awards.

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