Tag: carel-henn

Categories
Concerts Youth Concert

Rising Stars are approaching!

Welcome to the autumn edition of the Rand Symphony Orchestra’s Newsletter. We are hard at work rehearsing for our upcoming Rising Stars concert.

This concert showcases the talent of young soloists from all over Gauteng. Auditions were held and the top performers were chosen. Each of the young stars will perform a movement from a concerto accompanied by a full symphony orchestra (us!) – a wonderful opportunity to gain this hard-to-come-by experience. The eight soloists range in age from ten years old to twenty-two!

The programme is varied and energising, from Elgar’s Cello Concerto to Rachmaninoff’s Second Piano Concerto, a Mozart flute concerto, a Bach violin concerto and a Ravel piano concerto you’ve probably never heard before! You are in for a treat of an afternoon. I promise you will leave in awe at what the youth of today are capable of, and probably not a small amount of shame that you spent your own youth skateboarding instead of practising your scales.

Please join us at the Roodepoort Theatre at 15h00 on the 8th of June for this special event. Tickets available through Webtickets. Adults: R200; Pensioners: R170; Children under 12: R130.

Please do share this with your friends, family and neighbours to support the development of young musicians in our city.

More about the Soloists:

Shiyu Qi (age 10) is a violinist from St Stithians who has been studying the violin for six years under Miro Chakaryan, Concertmaster at the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra. In addition to playing the violin, Shiyu also plays the piano. She performed as a soloist with the Johannesburg Symphony Orchestra in 2024. Shiyu won third place at the Hubert der Spuy National Music Competition 2023. She hopes to become a professional violinist. Outside of music, Shiyu has a wide range of interests, including ballet, swimming, mathematics, tennis, hockey, and coding.

Henning Bouwer (age 12) is a flautist from Jan Celliers Primary, where he has been studying the flute for four years with Sanri Naude. Henning also plays the violin and piano. He has participated in several competitions and has earned recognition as a finalist at the Hubert van der Spuy competition and the winner of the Victoria Bennett competition in 2024.

Yu Qing Peng (age 17) is a pianist from Saheti School, where he has been studying for 10 years under Olga Tsikhelashvili. Yu Qing has already earned significant accolades, including second place at the Atterbury National Piano Competition in 2024 and second place overall in the 2024 National Youth Music Competition, as well as being the Category Winner. He aims to pursue a career in music.

Christiaan Naudé (age 18) is a cellist from Monument Magnet School. He has been studying the cello for 10 years under Carel Henn, our Musical Director. Christiaan has performed as a soloist with the Rand Symphony Orchestra, the Johannesburg Symphony Orchestra, and the Simfonia Juventi. His musical accomplishments include winning the Roedean Music Competition, being runner-up at the Young Performers Award, and a semi-finalist at the Victoria Bebbett competition. Christiaan is committed to pursuing a career in music and enjoys playing tennis in his spare time.

Heinrich Sutton (age 18) is a pianist from Hoërskool Waterkloof, where he has been studying the piano for 10 years with Megan-Geo­­­ffrey Prins. Heinrich has performed as a soloist with the Johannesburg Youth Orchestra, the Johannesburg Symphony Orchestra, the Pretoria Symphony Orchestra, and the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra. His musical achievements include winning the Atterbury National Piano Competition in 2023 and the Hennie Joubert Competition in 2024. Heinrich plans to study Actuarial Sciences and Music, balancing his academic pursuits with a strong passion for the arts. He also plays the bass guitar in his spare time.

Marilize Diedericks (age 22) is an aspiring conductor who has been studying conducting for two years. Marilize also plays the violin and French horn. She has performed as a soloist with the Rand Symphony Orchestra, the Johannesburg Symphony Orchestra, and in the Pretoria Symphony Orchestra. She has also been the principal French horn for the University of Pretoria Symphony Orchestra and concertmaster of UP4strings. Marilize also enjoys singing in choirs, playing chamber music, and arranging music.

Jayden Li is a Grade 10 learner at St. John’s College, where he holds a Music Scholarship. He has studied cello under Carel Henn since 2016. Jayden has performed as a soloist with the Rand Symphony Orchestra (2019, 2022) and the Johannesburg Symphony Orchestra (2022, 2023). He was a semi-finalist in the Huber van der Spuy National Music Competition in 2022 and a finalist in 2023, where he received the Best Performance of a South African Composition and Best Performance of a Romantic Work in the third round. He was Runner-Up at the Victoria K. Bennet Competition in both 2022 and 2023. In 2023, he was awarded Grade 8 Cello with Distinction by Trinity College London. Most recently, he won second prize in the Strings Category at the 2024 Roedean Music Competition and was named Most Promising Candidate in Strings at the 2024 National Youth Music Competition in Stellenbosch.

Danelle Rautenbach is a first-year BMus student at the University of Pretoria, studying cello with Susan Mouton. She has played the cello for eight years and also studies piano. In 2024, she performed Elgar’s Cello Concerto as soloist with the FAK Youth Symphony Orchestra. Danelle has earned numerous accolades, including winning the Romantic Category at the 2023 Pretoria Eisteddfod and both the Baroque and Romantic categories in 2024. She aspires to a career as a soloist. In her free time, she enjoys running.

Annalou Herman is a flautist from Helpmekaar Kollege. She has been playing the flute for 10 years, studying under Sanri Naude. She also plays the piano and has performed as a soloist with both the Johannesburg Symphony Orchestra and FAK Youth Orchestra. She passed her Grade 7 flute examination with distinction. Annalou plans to pursue a career in music and enjoys horse riding and dancing in her spare time.

Upcoming concerts

Diarise these dates and subscribe to our news letter for more information on these upcoming, not-to-be-missed concerts.

Picnic Concert: 7 September, Domus Dei Church Lawns

Gala Concert: 23rd November 2025 at the Roodepoort Theatre

Would you like to join the orchestra?

Do you play an orchestral instrument, minimum Gr 7 level, and would like to perform classical music under the guidance of a professional conductor and featuring professional soloists, young rising stars and excellent choirs?

If so, contact us: join@randsymphony.co.za

There are no auditions: prospective members attend rehearsals on a trial basis, to enable us to assess your abilities and you, your enjoyment of the orchestral experience. If successful, you will be invited to join the orchestra as a full member.

Rehearsals are on Tuesdays, 19h30-22h00, in Blairgowrie with a tea/coffee break. Concerts are typically on Saturdays or Sunday afternoon/evening, 4 to 6 times a year.

Please note that the Rand Symphony Orchestra now has PBO Status with SARS and is able to issue 18A Tax Certificates to our Generous donors.

Please email chair@randsymphony.co.za for queries regarding donations and sponsorships – or pick up a Bequest Leaflet with your programme.

Please follow us on Facebook, and share our upcoming events with your friends.

 

Categories
Concerts

Fantasy finale

Our final concert for 2024 takes place this Sunday, 27 October at the Linder Auditorium at 15h30.  The concert will feature the Jeppe High School for Girls choir, orchestra and music staff, the Rand Symphony Orchestra, the Drakensberg Old Boys Choir, the Potchefstroomse Mannekoor and four incredible soloists; Dominique Deysel, Linelle Wimbles, Theunis Botha and the incomparable Timothy Moloi.

The audience can look forward to a selection operatic arias, popular light classical music and musicals showcasing the talents of our professional singers, choirs and orchestra.

Our resident conductor, Carel Henn will direct the orchestra and mass choir in Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy, which is part piano concerto and part choral spectacular.  Dr Elize Kruger, Head of Music at the school is the featured soloist.  Guest conductor Andrew Pallet, music teacher at Jeppe, will conduct the choir and orchestra in a number of items.

Tickets are available on Quicket or at the door but we suggest you book online to avoid disappointment.  Click here to book now!

Categories
Concerts

Spring Picnic 2024

The first signs of Spring have arrived. Birds are singing just before sunrise, the early morning chill is starting to subside and the afternoons are warming pleasantly. September is around the corner and we invite you to join us at the Domus Dei church lawns in Blairgowrie for an afternoon of music with your friends, family and the Rand Symphony Orchestra.

Our featured soloist, Braam Van Tonder will showcase the trumpet as solo instrument with his performance of the Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra by Oskar Böhme. Braam is a driven trumpeter specialising in performance, conducting and teaching in Pretoria, Johannesburg and as far afield as Grey College in Bloemfontein.

The orchestra, under the baton of Carel Henn, will entertain with a programme of polkas, waltzes and music from stage and screen that promises to pair exceedingly well with a plate of savoury snacks and glass (or 2) of wine.

We invite you to bring a picnic basket, cooler box, blanket and/or chairs and spend the afternoon with beautiful music in a family-friendly setting. Book on Quicket (Click here).

Categories
Concerts Youth Concert

Rising Stars Youth Concert

The Rand Symphony Orchestra conducted by Carel Henn proudly presents its annual youth concert, “Rising Stars.” The concert takes place on Sunday 9 June at The Roodepoort Theatre and promises to be an unforgettable afternoon of musical brilliance.

The concert will feature a dynamic repertoire which includes composers from the Baroque era through to Late Romantic, with the likes of Vivaldi, Handel, Mozart, Bruch and Tchaikovsky. The soloists will be playing various instruments from violin, to flute, clarinet, piano and voice. The age of the soloists range from 8 – 19 years old.

“Rising Stars” shines a spotlight on the exceptional abilities of budding musicians from our community and celebrates the incredible talent and dedication of young musicians. We are honored to provide a platform for them to share their passion with our audience.

Tickets for “Rising Stars” will soon be available for purchase from Roodepoort theatre or Webtickets. Join us for an enchanting afternoon of music!

Categories
Concerts

Choral spectacular not to be missed!

The Rand Symphony Orchestra and Jeppe High School for Girls present Sir Karl Jenkins’ fabulous ‘Stabat Mater’ in a choral spectacular that is not to be missed!

On Sunday 29 October 2023, at 15:30 at the Linder Auditorium, the Rand Symphony Orchestra will join the Drakensberg Old Boys’ Choir and Voces Libres Chamber Choir in support of the Jeppe High School for Girls’ Choir, Orchestra and Music Staff.  Carel Henn, the conductor of the Rand Symphony Orchestra takes the reins in this mass orchestra and choir production and Megan Napier as the vocal soloist.

Stabat Mater is a 2008 composition for choir and orchestra by Karl Jenkins, based on the 13th-century prayer Stabat Mater. Like much of Jenkins’ earlier work, the work incorporates both traditional Western music (orchestra and choir) with ethnic instruments and vocals, this time focusing on the Middle East.

The concert will open with Elgar’s well-loved Nimrod from the Enigma Variations conducted by guest conductor Andrew Pallet from Jeppe Girls’ High School.

Tickets are available from Quicket or at the venue (on the day).
However, it is advisable to book well in advance for this event.

Click here to book at Quicket.

Details of the event are as follows:
Date: Sunday 29 October 2023
Time:15:30 (Doors open at 15:00)
Venue: Linder Auditorium, Wits Education Campus

The cafeteria will be open from 13:00
Duration of the performance: 90 minutes

This concert is presented with the support of:

 

Categories
Concerts Youth Concert

Rising Stars Youth Concert 2023

After a successful March concert we return to Trinityhouse in a few weeks’ time for our Rising Stars Youth Concert.  This annual event is a proud tradition of the Rand Symphony Orchestra and a firm favourite among our audience members.

Under the baton of Carel Henn we showcase 10 young soloists who will impress you with their talent and musicality.  The piano, violin, cello, and flute will be represented (the “usual suspects”), but this year we also feature the bassoon, xylophone and voice.

We invite you to enjoy an afternoon of wonderful, varied music with the Rand Symphony Orchestra in a casual atmosphere and support our young upcoming soloists, our Rising Stars.

Information

  • Date: Sunday, 11 June 2023
  • Time: 15h00
  • Tickets:
    • Adults: R180
    • Pensioners:R160
    • Students/Scholars: R120
    • Children under 12: free

Online bookings are encouraged and can be made via Quicket. Click here to book .

Limited tickets will also be available at the door on the day. We are now able to accept credit card payments.

  • Venue:

Trinityhouse Randpark Ridge, 23 Knoppiesdoring Street, Randpark Ridge

 

Categories
Concerts

Dvořák and Brahms

It is a new year, and how time has flown!  The orchestra started rehearsing again in earnest in January after a well-deserved break. We invite you to join us for our Autumn concert featuring cellist Susan Mouton who will perform the Dvořák Cello Concerto under the baton of our resident Conductor and Musical Director, Carel Henn.  The orchestra will also perform Symphony No. 1 by Brahms.  This ambitious programme reflects the vision and leadership of Carel and the hard work of the orchestra members to raise the standard of playing.  And this is just the start of 2023 – we have much more in store this year.

Programme:

  • Dvořák Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104, B. 191 (soloist Susan Mouton)
  • Brahms Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68

 

Information

  • Date: Sunday, 12 March 2023
  • Time: 15h30
  • Tickets:
    • Adults: R180
    • Pensioners:R160
    • Students/Scholars: R120
    • Children under 12: free

Online bookings are encouraged and can be made via Quicket. Click here to book .

Limited tickets will also be available at the door on the day. We are now able to accept credit card payments.

  • Venue:

Trinity House Randpark Ridge, 23 Knoppiesdoring Street, Randpark Ridge

About the soloist

Susan Mouton grew up in Durban, where she began cello lessons at the age of 10. She studied at the University of Pretoria under Professor Gerard van de Geest. Here she was the recipient of the Pretorium Trust bursary on three occasions, as well one of the winners of the Unisa SA Music Scholarship. During her studies she often appeared as soloist with the University Orchestra, and in 1981 she was one of the soloists in the CAPAB Music Festival. After she graduated, she joined the National Symphony Orchestra in 1983, and was appointed Principal cellist in 1987. She studied with Marian Lewin while completing her Performer’s Diploma at Wits University, and was one of the winners of the Unisa Overseas Study Bursaries in 1987, which she used to spend three months attending master classes in Europe with a number of esteemed cellists, including Arto Noras, William Pleeth, Johannes Goritski and Wolfang Laufer. She was also fortunate enough to attend a Cello Congress in Washington at this time, where she was able to meet one of her heroes, Mstislav Rostropovich. Since 2000 she has been Principal cellist of the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra. in addition to her orchestral playing, she is active as a chamber musician, and is thrilled to have joined the Wits trio in the past few years. Together with her husband, Miroslav Chakaryan, she is also a member of the JPO quartet, and in 2022 became a member of the newly formed Take 4 piano quartet. In 2001, she was on the jury for the National String Competition, and in 2010, she was honoured to be chosen as the only South African string specialist on the jury for the International String Competition. This honour was again hers in 2022, when she was once again on the jury for the 6th International String competition.

 

Categories
Concerts

Sasolburg Concert

RAND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Book tickets: https://www.ertickets.com/index.php?cPath=127

Categories
Concerts

November Gala Concert

The Rand Symphony Orchestra, with the support of The Rupert Music Foundation and under the baton of Carel Henn, will present our Gala Concert for this year at the Linder Auditorium. We are delighted to be performing again at this wonderful venue.

Landi Schaap, Soloist
Landi Schaap, Soloist

The programme will consist of Beethoven’s Egmont Overture, The Variations (on a Theme by Paganini) by Rachmaninov, with soloist Landi Schaap, and Elgar’s Enigma Variations – a beautiful programme for which we are currently rehearsing. We know you will enjoy it as much as we do!

Tickets are available from Quicket (click here) or at the door.

Adults: R180
Seniors and Students: R150
Children under 12: R120
Groups of 10 or more : R160 per ticket

For School Group Bookings at a much discounted rate, please contact us by e-mail (tickets@randsymphony.co.za ) call or Whatsapp – 0835593156.

The Restaurant next to the Auditorium will be open before the performance and during interval.

We look forward to seeing you there!

 

Categories
Concerts Youth Concert

Youth Concert 2022 Highlights

The 2022 edition of the Rand Symphony Orchestra’s “Rising Stars” Youth Concert featured 11 soloists, playing works from 11 composers from the baroque to 20th century, on 5 different instruments in the strings, brass and wood-wind families, not forgetting the piano (the wood-string family? – ed).

WS Pianos sponsored the piano that was used in the concert.

This year’s participants included:

Emily and Lilian Geekie, who are sisters, book-fanatics and coffee aficionados;

Jayden Li, a martial artist, outdoor enthusiast and chinchilla-owner;

Mbali Phato, who enjoys serving her community and plans to pursue a career in music;

Talita Smith, who also sings and plans to study music performance and music therapy;

Chi-Chi Juan, who has performed in Carnegie Hall and is active in the Johannesburg Junior Council;

Sara Stoffberg; who loves animals and is currently learning Arabic;

Kehan Taljaard, who is also an accomplished saxophonist and enjoys Dixie and Big Band music;

Marilize Diedericks, who started her own chamber orchestra and also plays the french horn;

Simon Holm, who plays in a trombone quartet and Dixie band;

Annie Chang, who is an internationally accomplished musician and plans to study law.

While the Youth Concert programme is always just as diverse as its young soloists, the movement from Xian Xinghai’s “Yellow River Concerto” performed by Annie Chang certainly broadened the orchestra’s horizons. In another refreshing change of scenery for the orchestra, the well-known violin show-piece “Czardas” by Monti was brilliantly interpreted on the alto saxophone by Talita Smith.

This year the concert took place in the hall of the St Bonifatius German Catholic Church in Sundowner which graciously accommodated the orchestra’s requirements in terms of date and rehearsal schedule. The concert would however not have been possible at this venue without the generous sponsorship of WS Pianos who provided the piano used by the soloists.

Jayden Li (12) was one of the young soloists at this year’s concert

The Rand Symphony’s Youth Concert is a non-competitive showcase of the young talent in Randburg and surrounding areas, drawing interest from as far as afield as Soweto and Pretoria. Each participant received a Certificate of Achievement at the end of the concert.

Each participant received a Certificate of Achievement

The Rand Symphony’s Youth Concert is an annual event and auditions take place in January or February each year. The selected participants then meet the orchestra in April and May for a mere 3 rehearsals each before the final dress rehearsal and concert.

Applications for the 2023 Rand Symphony Youth Concert will open in September on this website.

RSO_Rising_Stars_2022_Programme-1Download