A total of R129 000 stands to be won by young classical musicians entering the 2015 National Youth Music Competition.
The overall winner of the competition will receive R30 000 plus three recital engagements, while competitors who play in the final round have the opportunity to perform one movement from a concerto with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra.
Brandon Phillips, the first winner of the Len van Zyl conducting competition, will conduct the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra.
Young classical musicians in and around the Helderberg wishing to enter the competition have until the end of May to do so.
The competition is for musicians between the ages of 14 and 19, who are pianists or orchestral instrumentalists.
The aim of the competition is to identify and promote the talent and abilities of young classical musicians; expose them to the requirements of professional careers as soloists, orchestral musicians and music educators; and to develop the stage and performing abilities of young classical musicians.
A qualifying audition round of the competition will take place based on DVD submissions of entrants.
Categories include piano, string instruments, woodwind instruments and other orchestral instruments, such as harp and percussion.
The four competitive rounds will be held at the Hugo Lambrechts Music Centre in Parow.
The first three rounds will take place from 13 to 16 October and the final round and gala concert will take place on 17 October.
The competition is the brain-child of Michael Maas who retired as Chief Executive of Artscape last year. He is a respected musician, administrator, teacher and adjudicator. He started the competition in 1984 in Port Elizabeth to prepare young classical musicians for, among others, Unisa’s National and International Music Competitions.
Entry forms, the rules brochure and further information can be obtained by emailing Aileen Berry, abcomm@global.co.za
