Young musicians perform at gala concert

GEORGE NEWS - After a wonderful evening of exceptional performances at the George Music Society's Young Musicians Competition, adjudicators Mathilda Hornsveld and Elmarie van der Vyver named cellist Misha van der Merwe as the First Senior prize winner of 2024.

Misha's prize includes a trophy and cash. She also won the Bushakevitz Trophy for Best String Instrumentalist.

The gala evening of the competition was held on Friday night, 7 June at George Arts Theatre.

Maia Leonard was awarded the Second Senior prize, winning cash, the Kalene Roux Trophy for Best Flautist, as well as the Andrea Joubert trophy for Best Duet with Nathan Mattheus, also an excellent flautist.

The First Junior winner was violinist Neal Oh Kwang Ming Burger, who received the trophy and a cash prize. He also received the new Elmarie van der Vyver trophy for Best Junior String Instrumentalist.

The Second Junior winner was Andrew Brink, whose prize included cash. He also received the George South Primary trophy for Best Junior Flautist at the Young Musicians Competition Gala Concert.

The other prize winners are:

Jasmin Arries: Lorraine Morgan trophy for Best Senior Vocalist

Clara Adrian: Suan Steyn trophy for Best Vocalist (classical)

Mia Ryan and Keyla Douglas: sharing George Municipality Trophy for Best Junior Vocalist

Hoërskool Outeniqua Vocal Quartet: George Music Society trophy for best Vocal Ensemble

Outeniqua Jazz Ensemble: George Music Society trophy for Best Instrumental Ensemble and the Anna du Toit trophy for Best Senior Ensemble

Holy Cross Primary School: Anna du Toit trophy for Best Junior Ensemble

Dioney Janse van Rensburg: Baslyn Steyn trophy for Best Junior Recorder

Jake Haasbroek: Ronell van Aswegen trophy for Best Pianist

Jesse van Heerden: Ludolph Pedro trophy for Best Romantic Piano Interpretation

Hannah Murray and Emily Hampson, pianists: Christina Smit trophy for Best Junior Duet

Caleb Dickson: Tip Top Jewellers trophy for Best Woodwind and Brass Instruments with his euphonium solo

Lujah Diedericks and Jody Thorne: Mathilda Hornsveld trophy for Best Vocal Duet

Henco Bester: Kerwin Albertus Trophy for Best Blues Performance as well as the Martha Avierinos trophy for Music Excellence

Ingrid Keyser: Anna du Toit Bravura Trophy for most versatile participant for her beautiful vocal solo and a cello performance

Sandra Tillbrook, community development member of the George Music Society, thanked every contestant for their participation and hard work that helped make this gala evening one of the best ever.

Inge Schröter (left) of the Outeniqua Jazz Ensemble holds their trophies for Best Instrumental Ensemble and Best Senior Ensemble. Henco Bester was awarded for the Best Blues Performance, and Music Excellence. Photos: Chante Ackerman

Maia Leonard, Second Senior prize winner, who also won prizes for Best Flautist and Best Duet (with Nathan Mattheus).

Neal Oh Kwang Burger was awarded the First Junior prize as well as the new trophy for Best Junior String Instrumentalist. Elmarie van der Vyver did the handover.

Andrew Brink receives his prize and trophy from Elmarie van der Vyver. He was the Second Junior prize winner and also received a trophy for Best Junior Flautist.