Chloë touches hearts with her music

Young Chloë de Wit has the honour of being accepted into the Johannesburg Youth Orchestra.
A lover of classical music, Chloë is 13 years old and in Grade 7 at Trinityhouse Preparatory School Randpark Ridge. “I have been playing the piano since I was in Grade 1 and have always had a love for musical instruments,” she said.
It was her visit to a performance at the inter-schools orchestra that sparked her interest in the flute which she received as a belated birthday present. She has been playing the flute since Grade 3 and has recently picked up the piccolo. “I always beg my mom for more musical instruments, I would love to have a cello,” she hinted.
Chloë’s selection to the orchestra is for intermediate wind. Here they train them to progress into the main Johannesburg orchestra.
According to her music teacher Zelda Reyneke, Chloë has competed in the inter-schools for two years in a row. This is where competitors from Gauteng schools are selected for the orchestra. Chloë was the only one who was selected to play in the high school division.
Her love for music springs from notable musicians such as Bach, Mozart, and George Frederick Handel. “I mostly listen to classical music when I’m studying or learning but in my down time I do listen to other music that everyone listens to on the radio.”
Her dream for the future is to study at Juilliard in New York, USA. “I would like to get my doctorate in music so that I can become a music teacher and a normal teacher,” remarked Chloë.
More recently, the young musician began writing her own song for the piano. Once she has achieved that goal, she hopes to add flute to the song.
Chloë maintains that she owes most of her success to her music teacher, Reyneke. “Since the beginning, she has pushed me to my limits – in a good way. I let her know that I wanted to be selected for the Johannesburg orchestra and we have worked our way to that goal.”
Her father, Christo de Wit, said, “I am very proud of her, she works very hard at her music. It is a great achievement, especially at her age. Kudos goes to the Trinityhouse music department and teachers.”