University of the Free State student Kagiso Ramosa (19) from Crown Gardens will be playing the alto saxophone with his first attempt for glory at the 2021 National Youth Music Competition (NYMC).
Scheduled to run from December 6 to 11 at the Hugo Lambrechts Auditorium in Parow, Cape Town, a new record number of 27 up-and-coming young musicians have been selected to compete over four rounds for the coveted title, the R155 000 cash and gold, silver and bronze medals.
This is the biggest number of contestants ever in the contest’s 37-year history. They were selected from a record number of 45 entrants from across the country.
It is the only South African music competition where the six finalists get the opportunity to perform with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra.
Last year’s competition had to be cancelled due to the pandemic and the ensuing lockdown.
“This year, we are surging ahead with the contest. In line with Covid-19 regulations, we have appointed a health professional to ensure the safety of participants, their parents, teachers and audience members alike,” said Michael Maas, chairperson of NYMF.
Due to Covid-19 regulations, the number of people allowed to attend the gala concert on December 11 will be limited.
“The entire concert and award ceremony will be streamed free on the NYMC website. People can just click the streaming button on the homepage of the NYMC website,” Maas emphasised.
More about Kagiso
This rising star from the South is the only one in a family of eight who plays music. He has two brothers and three sisters.
He is lectured by Danré Strydom, clarinet and saxophone lecturer at the University of the Free State.
His musical career started at age 12 when his parents discovered the Johannesburg Youth Orchestra Company in the township where his grandmother resides.
There he joined the company, playing the recorder. A year later they offered him to choose an instrument. He then moved on to the clarinet. Nhlanhla Tshabalala was his first clarinet teacher.
Although his parents are not instrumentalists or practising musicians, both are leaders in their respective church choirs.
According to him, his family is accepting and understanding when he needs to practise at home. They encourage him, but admits that often, “they don’t enjoy it as they can get irritated by repetition of sections,” he chuckled.
When time allows, Kagiso aims to practise at least two to four hours per day. His extramural activities include gaming, swimming, watching movies and reading books.
The young saxophonist’s favourite composer is Charlie Parker, an American jazz saxophonist. He was a revolutionary jazz saxophonist, who was and still is observed as a pioneer in the jazz community. He has inspired not only Kagiso but many other professional saxophonists.
On completion of his studies, he would like to continue his passion for music, by being a professional musician and teacher.
With the life motto: “Hard work pays off,” he entered the competition to experience something he has not done before as a young aspiring musician.
“I have never participated in a competition before. The NYMC offers me the opportunity to meet new musicians, whom I know will inspire me to improve. Secondly, I am competing to be seen and recognised by my peers in hope of future collaborations,” he said self-assured.
