Carpe Musicam! celebrates a decade of music with ‘The Rest of the Best’

GEORGE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS - Carpe Musicam!’s Orchestra and Choir marked their tenth anniversary with The Rest of the Best, a concert that drew more than 230 music lovers to a lively evening of familiar favourites and fresh arrangements at the Laerskool George-Suid school hall.

The performance formed part of a retrospective series celebrating ten years of entertaining Garden Route audiences with accessible, high-quality music in a relaxed setting.

The programme opened with Radetsky March Swing, a spirited piece that immediately set a cheerful tone.

Eine Kleine Rockmusik followed – a witty medley combining elements of Pachelbel’s Canon and Phil Collins’s A Groovy Kind of Love.

Trumpeter Ferdi Engel showcased his warm tone and control in Earth Angel, while resident violinist Cherith Bain impressed with her expressive performance of Por Una Cabeza, complemented by a playful solo from bass clarinettist Carrie van Wyk.

The choir

The choir joined the orchestra for an energetic Mamma Mia! Medley, with horn player Christo Bekker standing out for his sensitive solo during The Winner Takes It All.

The ensemble’s versatility was evident in Moment for Morricone, featuring well-loved Western film themes, and The Pink Panther, complete with scat singing, jazz violin flourishes, and the conductor’s characteristic humour.

The Suite from How to Train Your Dragon showcased the orchestra’s dynamic range and cohesion, while Summertime created a sense of atmosphere and calm.

The performance concluded with a medley from The Sound of Music, featuring more than 80 musicians and singers on stage, earning a standing ovation from the audience.

In response to requests for an encore, the group ended with their signature piece, Goin’ Home - a gentle, reflective close to a well-received evening.

The orchestra