Musical excellence with South Cape Arts Festival's gala concert

GEORGE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS - The annual South Cape Arts Festival reached a high point on Saturday 23 August with its much-anticipated music gala concert, held in the Dutch Reformed Mother Church Hall.

Adjudicators Philippus Hugo (University of Stellenbosch), Petronel Baard and Jan-Erik Swart evaluated more than 500 vocal and instrumental music entries.

The festival drew over 2 000 entries across the dance, drama, visual art, special needs and music categories, making it one of the largest cultural showcases in the region.

The gala concert featured the festival's highest achievers, who performed their winning pieces to a delighted audience. Each was recognised with gala medals and certificates for their outstanding artistry.

Floating trophies were awarded as follows:

Best junior contemporary vocalist: Ché de Bruyn
Best junior Western art music vocalists: Emily and Annabelle van Zyl
Best junior Western art instrumentalist: Andrew Brink (flute)
Best up-and-coming junior vocalists: Keyla Douglas and Isabella Haldane
Best senior contemporary vocalists: Jessica Haarhoff and Kirsten Pharoah
Best senior Western art music vocalist: Jana-Mari Augustyn
Best senior Western art instrumentalist: Sefas Rademan (saxophone)
Best senior contemporary instrumentalist: Hugo Stark (electric guitar and drumkit)
Best junior vocal group: Holy Cross Primary Vocal Ensemble
Best junior instrumental group: Holy Cross Primary School
Best senior vocal group: York High School Choir
Special award for excellence and best senior instrumental group: Carpe Diem School Marimba Band
Special award for excellence (open category): Eden Camerata Adult Choir
Overall festival music winner (99%): Ché de Bruyn

The organisers expressed heartfelt thanks to the George Municipality, George Tourism and all their sponsors for their invaluable support to help make the 2025 festival a resounding success.

Sefas Rademan, best senior instrumentalist (saxophone).