The top young classical instrumentalists performing at this year’s National Youth Music Competition (NYMC) will get a chance to perform with internationally acclaimed conductor, Bernhard Gueller.
The contest runs from Monday December 5 to Saturday December 10 at the Hugo Lambrechts Auditorium in Parow.
Gueller, the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra’s (CPO) principal guest conductor, will be on the podium at the competition’s gala concert on Saturday December 10, which starts at 6pm.
“Only the top six contestants will have the opportunity to work directly with Bernhard. His vast experience, spanning all continents, is an excellent opportunity for young musicians,” says Michael Maas, chairman of the National Youth Music Foundation (NYMF).
The NYMF has announced the panel of six adjudicators for this year’s NYMC who will judge the contestants in three categories – piano, strings and wind instruments.
The panel consists of Emeritus Professor John Hinch (jury leader), Bennie van Eeden (piano), Professor Farida Bacharova (strings), Becky Steltzner (winds), Vaughan Pietersen (principal of the Frank Pietersen Music Centre) and Dr Franklin Lewis.
They will individually score the 20 selected contestants, listening to more than a hundred works during the contest’s five days of performance. The upcoming stars will compete for the coveted title, the R155 000 total prize money, cash and gold, silver and bronze medals.
All contestants take part in the first two rounds, after which a maximum of 12 players go through to the third round. The six top musicians then do their battle under the accompaniment of the CPO at the gala concert.
Tickets cost R140 and R110 for pensioners and students and can be booked on Quicket.
- Six Tabletalk readers can each win a pair of tickets to the gala concert on Saturday December 10, at 6pm. To enter the competition, email your full name, address and telephone number to entertain.ccn@acm.co.za before midnight on Sunday November 27.
