The establishment of the first-ever Northern Cape Symphony Orchestra (NCSO) is music to one’s ears.
When scrolling down its Facebook page, looking at the instruments, taking in the eagerness on youthful faces, and admiring the dedication of maestros sharing their knowledge, one becomes convinced there is more to an orchestra than meets the eye.
When delving into music-related terms, idioms and quotes on orchestras, it is as if a chord is struck and a new world of wisdom, relative to life, opens up.
“You can’t play a symphony alone, it takes an orchestra to play it,” said Navjot Singh Sidhu.
Benjamin Zander said, “The conductor of an orchestra doesn’t make a sound. He depends, for his power, on his ability to make other people powerful.”
From another perspective, Dale Carnegie commented, “For better or worse, you must play your own little instrument in the orchestra of life.”
The NCSO directors believe that orchestras promote human rights, as musicians from all nationalities, backgrounds and cultures are brought together, and a space in which to collaborate and make music is created.
Corresponding with this is the opinion of Gustavo Dudamel who said, “With an orchestra you are building citizens, better citizens for the community.”
“You are a valuable instrument in the orchestration of your own world, and the overall harmony of the universe. Always be in command of your music. Only you can control and shape its tone. If life throws you a few bad notes or vibrations, don’t let them interrupt or alter your song,” wrote Suzy Kassem.
Sandra Steingraber wrote, “We are all musicians in a great human orchestra. You are not required to play a solo, but you are required to know what instrument you hold and play it as well as you can.”
With this, one wants to agree with this opinion of the directors: “The power of music can inspire positive change in the world.”
