For too long the Northern Cape has been deprived of music of this stature, and for far too long have talented musicians in the province been overlooked with opportunities.
The first-ever Northern Cape Symphony Orchestra (NCSO), only a few months old, is firmly set to change this.
Apart from being an ensemble that brings together the best and brightest young musicians of the province, it is also developing and training them to grow the music scene and set a standard for musical excellence.
In following a mutual dream, NCSO directors Nathan Carlo, Dingaan Chabalala and Kagisho Matthews carefully started planning the establishing of the orchestra in June last year, and spread the news that they were looking for musicians.
In the meantime, they applied for funding from the Presidential Employment Stimulus.
“We decided we would go ahead, regardless the outcome of the funding application. Luckily, it was successful,” says Carlo.
Assistance is also being received from, among others, the Mzansi Philharmonic Orchestra, the National Arts Council of South Africa, and the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.
“We sourced orchestra members in the age group 15 to 25 years from music departments of schools, and by word of mouth. We were surprised by the talent, and had close to 100 auditions.”
Carlo says the amount of musicians showing up for the audition was an indication of how hungry they are for something like this.
“The support from the community is great, and the reaction we mostly get is: ‘It’s about time’.
“We as people make islands of ourselves. Music brings us together,” Carlo commented.
On 8 January, in a packed Mayibuye Cultural Centre, the Nothern Cape Symphony Youth Orchestra’s (NCSYO) inaugural performance took place.
For some of the musicians it was their first time ever to perform in front of an audience.
Before that, on 25 November, the NCSO’s string quartet performed at a gala dinner at the Sol Plaatje University – the first performance under the banner of the NCSO.
On 18 February, the NCSO performed at its first corporate function.
Carlo emphasises that for the multicultural NCSO, background does not matter; even a formal music qualification is not a prerequisite. Some of the members have completed formal music examinations, while others are self-taught.
Through its programmes the orchestra wants to inspire a generation of young musicians and provide them with the resources they need to pursue their musical dreams.
“Money must never be the reason why someone is not taking part, and we want to create opportunities for youngsters from all spheres of life.”
In its few months of existence the NCSO has already hosted workshops with world-class performances in mind.
- Also read the story on p 2.
