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.
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