Young musicians improve their bass and violin skills
BRIXTON – Yes, a classical musical instrument can take you across the world.
The National Youth Orchestra recently fine-tuned the skills of their musicians in training.
One of the biggest regrets of many adults is not learning how to play a musical instrument when they were younger, however, this regret won’t be felt by those at the National Youth Orchestra (NYO) as they were recently put through their paces during their ‘What it Takes’ masterclasses. Organised and hosted by Sophia Welz, managing director of the orchestra, the sessions are geared towards fine-tuning the skills of their musicians.
Musicians at the orchestra are aged between 13 and 25 and are drawn from across South Africa. The 24-year-old Siyolise Nyondo shared details into what the sessions for bassists and violinists mean to them. “This is a special project which means we get to have one-on-one time with professional musicians.”
The professional assistance she speaks of is the classical instrument musicians from universities and orchestra’s across the world. Nyondo, who is originally from Bloemfontein, explained what they go through during their four day-long sessions. “We start with warm-up sessions in the mornings. After that, we play whatever we need help with. It can be a solo piece, an orchestra except, a study.”
Throughout the day, they do this with the various professionals in attendance assisting them wherever they need help.
Eighteen-year-old Njabulo Nxumalo from White City, Soweto was one of nine bassists to take part in the masterclass session. He said that if it wasn’t for these classes, he wouldn’t have been able to perfect his art and travel abroad to play music. “My first trip was in 2017 to the United Kingdom. I went there to play a duet with the co-leader of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.”
Nyondo herself has been to Austria, Belgium, England, Holland, Italy, and other European countries. “If I had not done music, I probably wouldn’t have left Bloemfontein. I’ve been traveling for 10 years straight and I get to leave the country at least once a year and it is great. I am so lucky.”
Both musicians now have plenty of tales to tell thanks to the skills given to them at masterclasses like these.
As the classes concluded, the bassists and violinists were to take all they have learnt and pledged to continue practising. They were thankful to all those that sacrificed their time and resources for making the sessions a reality.
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