The National Youth Orchestra, South Africa’s symphonic national team, will perform the Fourth Symphony of Tchaikovsky, and Stravinksy’s playful neo-classical Pulcinella Suite in Pretoria and Johannesburg from 14 to 16 December 2017.
These performances will be done under the baton of acclaimed United States conductor Sarah Ioannides, who is listed as one of the top 20 female conductors worldwide. Ioannides’ dynamism has won praise from audience and critics alike. Her engagements have taken her to five continents. This tour will mark her South African debut.
The National Youth Orchestra, founded in 1964, nurtures the musical development of South Africa’s finest young musicians who range from emerging gifted school-age students, to those on the verge of a professional career.
“A wonderful image for our country”
The orchestra’s alumni have won places in some of the best orchestras in the world, and make up over 70% of the South Africans in our local professional orchestras. With a history spanning five decades, the National Youth Orchestra is one of South Africa’s most successful musical institutions.
“These budding musicians just lift your spirits. At a time when we seem to be pulling in different directions in our country, this is such a wonderful statement: young people of all races, playing in an orchestra, which itself is a symbol because it has different instruments. It is a wonderful image for our country,” says Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, National Youth Orchestra patron.
Sophia Welz, Managing Director, adds: “Coming to a National Youth Orchestra concert allows us to celebrate our top young artists, and feel the joy of experiencing an orchestra live. You can’t but get caught up in the excitement as many of the young musicians discover great music for the first time.”
About the National Youth Orchestra
The National Youth Orchestra was founded in 1964. It has hosted annual orchestra courses, concerts, international and national tours and workshops for young musicians, and has become one of South Africa’s most successful music institutions.
Our training pathway has been created to nurture the musical development of South Africa’s finest young musicians, from emerging gifted school-age students to those on the verge of a professional career. Along the way our concerts bring delight to thousands. Our alumni are placed in some of the best orchestras across the world, and they make up 71% of the South Africans in our local professional orchestras. The National Youth Orchestra has performed with their patron, Archbishop Tutu, jazz diva Judith Sephuma, the best selling classical artist of all time, Sir James Galway, opera star Barbara Hendricks, world famous conductor Sir Roger Norrington and among many others.
What: National Youth Orchestra
Where and when and bookings:
14 December 2017: Rand Club, Johannesburg – book here
15 December 2017: ZK Matthews Hall, Pretoria – book Computicket
16 December 2017: SABC M1 Studio in Johannesburg – book Computicket
Visit: South African National Youth Orchestra
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