Plucking the strings

St John’s College’s Alexander Whitehead, a Grade 10 pupil, was selected as one of 17 finalists to participate in the National Youth Music Competition.

“Being selected for the national music competition is already an accolade to every performer, as the competition is done on a national level and only the best pupils are selected,” said Ben Oosthuizen, director of music at the college.

This is the first time that Whitehead has entered and was accepted as a performer. The competition took place at the Hugo Lamprechts Music Centre in Parow, Cape Town, during October.

The competition attracts young classical musicians who are pianists or orchestral instrumentalists. The purpose of the competition is to identify and promote the talent and abilities of young classical musicians, expose the competitors to the requirements of professional careers as soloists and orchestral musicians, and to develop the stage and performing abilities of young classical musicians.

“He is a cellist and performs to an exceptionally high standard. Some of his previous achievements include winning the national Samro [South African Music Rights Organisation] Hubert van der Spuy Music Competition in 2014. Whitehead is a diligent musician and practises on average 90 minutes per day,” commented Oosthuizen.

Whitehead started playing the cello at the age of four and still has lessons with his teacher in Australia via Skype. He is a member of the St John’s College Symphony Orchestra and String Ensemble.

Article first published in July 2016