Young Musicians concert excellent

GEORGE NEWS - On Thursday evening, 9 June, there was an almost full house at the Dotsure George Arts Theatre to listen to the prize winners of the Young Musicians Competition. The event was hosted by the George Music Society and organised by Sandra Tilbrook and her enthusiastic helpers.

It was the culmination of weeks of hard work and there was an excited buzz of expectation as the parents, relations and friends settled down to hear what the youngsters could produce.

Despite the Covid pandemic, music is alive and well in the George schools.

The Holy Cross Primary School Vocal Ensemble opened the programme with a cheerful selection of Barbershop Blues. Thereafter followed a varied programme ranging from Chopin, Brahms and Rachmaninoff to Scott Joplin's Entertainer, played with a good sense of rhythm by the flautist Andrew Brink.

Ludolph Pedro gave us a slightly unbalanced rendering of Chopin's Fantasie Impromptu. Pedro has an excellent technique but the bass tended to overshadow the treble in this performance. However, he tackled this difficult piece with courage.

By contrast Jake Pheiffer gave a business-like performance of Karl von Dittersdorff's Anglaise.

Steven Kapp chose to play Rachmaninoff's popular Prelude in C# minor. It was a bit slow and the over-use of the pedal blurred the harmonies. The middle section was fluent though and the tune came through clearly.

Janique Meiring was the second flautist of the evening with Wilhelm Popp's Piece No 2 that she played with clear phrasing and a good shape.

Brahms makes me think of deep red velvet and Samuel Leggatt gave us a very thoughtful and sensitive performance of the Intermezzo in A major. Although it was a trifle slow, this was a musical and satisfying performance.

The concert was rounded off by the Outeniqua High School Vocal Ensemble's lively version of Chile con Carne, Henco Bester singing It could only happen to you and the jazz combo's spirited Tshakwe.

There was a strange lack of strings on the programme and I missed the usual recorder ensemble. Throughout the evening the players were given enthusiastic rounds of appreciative applause. All in all, this was an excellent evening and the musicians, teachers and parents must be congratulated and thanked for all their hard work.

The competition has been running for 37 years; long may it continue.

Winners of the Young Musicians Concert with music teacher Greta Benade, from left: Cuemi Tsai, Samuel Leggatt, Benade, Ludolph Pedro, Stephan Kapp and Kirsten Pharoah.