ULSO still pulling strings

THE uMhlanga Late Starters’ Orchestra is still going strong, still pulling at their violins’ strings since its inception five years ago.

The orchestra, founded by Louise Pallet, consisting of Llewelyn Wewege, Hannah Pillay, Elsa Thursfield, Robyn de Lange, Pat Marehant, Ginny Cowan, Charmaine Pillay, Sipho Mkanazi, Julie Vincent and Penny Edwards, celebrate its fifth anniversary this year.

Louise, who plays the violin and cello, started playing much later in life when she heard of the London Late Starters’ Orchestra.

“I thought it was a lovely idea and decided to start one in uMhlanga. I’ve had 123 people come and go in the last five years,” Louise said.

She added none of her members had any musical background and said it was very rewarding to see them progress.

For Llewelyn, one of the longest standing members, it was a concert that inspired him to take up violin lessons with Louise.

“Music is now my life. It’s been a healing process for me and it has been very fulfilling. People won’t understand until they try it,” he said.

For Elsa, who has also been with the orchestra since its inception, said she loves it because she can lose herself in the music, “I feel that when I’m happy I can listen to music, but when I’m sad, I understand the lyrics.”

For Hannah it’s been a life-long dream to play the violin. “I always wanted to play, but before I knew it the years had passed by and no-one wanted to teach me. I saw Louise’s advertisement in the paper, called her and started. Now, I can’t go without it.”

The youngest member of the group, Robyn, said she fell in love with the violin when she was six years old. “A friend of my gran’s told her about this group and said she had to tell me. Now I feel like if I don’t do this, the light would go out,” Robyn said.

The group unanimously said learning to read music and play the violin has truly helped their creative thinking.

“I was a rocker at heart, but found that I enjoy classical music,” Llwelyn said.

To become a member of the uMhlanga Late Starters’ Orchestra, contact Louise on 031 561 5646 or email her at louisepallet@telkomsa.net