BPYO to hit high notes with locals

June is traditionally designated as Youth Month. As South Africa honours our young people in the weeks ahead, a major highlight in store for scores of young people will be the national tour of the Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (BPYO), under the baton of its celebrated inspirational mentor, Benjamin Zander.

ALSO READ: Endless entertainment and fun on Disney Insider

Maestro Zander is a well-known proponent of using music to change societies and lives, especially through his channeling of young people. Under his aegis, BPYO has won the esteem of major critics across the United States, saluting its brilliant young players for upending expectations, proclaiming the musical maturity that manifests from its players, not in spite of, but because of their youth.

So, it comes as no surprise that BPYO’s tour will include side-by-side collaborations with young musicians around South Africa.

These initiatives, seen in the light of the massive youth unemployment and often a lack of access to resources and opportunities for young South Africans, are of special significance. Music is a pathway to changing lives and futures.

ALSO READ: Trayce paves his way up in entertainment industry

A focal point of the tour will be its interactions with local ensembles and musicians in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Soweto and Cape Town.

These include members of the University of Pretoria Symphony Orchestra and Hugo Lambrechts Symphony Orchestra, who will form intense side-by-side partnerships with the visiting artists, performing South African, European and American repertoire, as well as sharing leisure time together, outside of rehearsal and performance times.

ALSO READ: Modern entertainment areas for the whole family

On June 16 the BPYO will participate in Youth Day Celebrations and a street parade in Soweto with the renowned Field Band Foundation, one of South Africa’s most famous socio-musical youth initiatives.

On June 17, 30 BPYO musicians will meet and play at the Morris Isaacson Music Centre and at Regina Mundi RC Church. The AfrikaRiz Choir will open this concert.

–