A student at Cape Town’s Hugo Lambrecht Music Centre in Parow was recently chosen to be part of a masterclass for classical music.
Julia Christoffels (15), a Grade 8 learner at La Vigne Educational House, a private school in Durbanville, was selected to be part of a group of 20 learners in the Western Cape to participate in the Franschhoek Chamber Music Workshop last month.
The workshop was held during the school holidays.
Students had to submit three video recordings of pieces that they had played to stand a chance of being selected.
“Julia was initially apprehensive when her violin teacher suggested that she apply. And the thought of spending a week away from home was a bit scary,” said her father, Alan Christoffels. He said that, closer to the time however, Julia’s excitement mounted.
Workshop
He said the classical music students received coaching from professional musicians for the weeklong event and interacted with other music students. The workshop culminated with a concert on the last day.
Christoffels said Julia started playing the violin somewhat later than usual. She was 11 years old when she started at the Hugo Lambrecht Music Centre and has been playing for four years now, he said.
He said her teacher, Felicia Petersen, has been supportive and trying to pace her as she plays catch-up with the students that started at a younger age.
According to its website, the Franschhoek Chamber Music Workshop is an annual workshop that offers musically gifted young people a week of intensive training at Bridge House School. Music students of school going age up to matric may apply.
“Participants receive professional and highly personalised instruction to encourage and develop their talent, to improve their prowess as a collaborative musician, and to achieve real progress in a self-enriching and fulfilling way,” the website reads.
A minimum Grade 4 level of competence in music is recommended to apply. Julia is a Grade 5 violin student.
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