South African National Youth Orchestra brings welcome warmth to Potchefstroom

The South African National Youth Orchestra (Sanyo) together with the NWU Puk and Artéma are hosting a Warm Your Heart concert in the Snowflake building in Potchefstroom on 2 July 2015.

With almost 80 students from around the country with the sole purpose of warming your heart, the audience can expect to be dazzled with performances with the cello and other high-quality instruments. This repertoire consists of two different groups, the string orchestra and the wind band. This year marks the 150-year anniversary of two great composer’s work, Carl Nielsen and Jean Sibelius. Some of the music compositions will include Finlandia by Sibelius and Underlige Aftenlifte (Evening Air) by Nielsen.

The purpose of this winter course is to help young musicians develop into professionals. “The aim of the Sanyo is to come together and play music,” adds André Oosthuizen, assistant conductor for the students. “During this course, the Sanyo gives an intensive master class that focuses on the upliftment and the development of players”. Erica Louw heads up the operations and communications department and shares her love and passion for the work they do.

“We want our country to have better musicians. It’s about a group of people coming together. We don’t all need to speak the same language.” Thomas Dweba, a music student from the National School of Arts in Johannesburg, has learned a lot in the couple of days that he has been here. “This experience has had a positive impact in my life. I am full of expectation and hope to improve my techniques in playing the viola.” These students, who practise nine hours a day say that teamwork is very important. Being part of an orchestra means to be in tune with all team players and listening to one another.

“I want to learn as much as I can,” says Lwazi Mkula from the University of Cape Town (UCT). A young musician, Andrew Gilbert (15) from Johannesburg, has been playing the violin since he was five and will be participating in his 5th Nationals this year. Music is not his only passion; he is also interested in sports: soccer, hockey and cricket in particular. “I am a bit anxious but excited and overwhelmed about the concert at the same time.”

The Sanyo that was established in 1964 in Hartebeespoort can boast with the quality of musicians it has raised. In 2014, the Sanyo was able to send 12 musicians abroad. “We strive for quality over quantity,” adds Louw with her colourful personality. “We aim to make music and art together, as a country and develop our own South African sound as an orchestra.”

At the end of the day, the Sanyo strives to equip and create well-groomed musicians.