18/04/2023
Can you see the joy on their faces? Ashlin, Gibbs, Nicci and Chad, who have been chosen to join the jnp at its summer camp and concerts in Germany in August.
CPO YOUNG MUSICIANS TO BENEFIT FROM EXCHANGE PROGRAMME
Four young Cape Town Philharmonic Youth Orchestra musicians have been awarded the Alexander international Music Award for Emerging Musicians. This cultural exchange between musicians of the CPO and the junge norddeutsche philharmonie (jnp) was established by German entrepreneur and philanthropist Alexander Valentine.
The musicians who auditioned successfully are Nicci Botha (violin, 19, of Pinelands), Ashlin Grobbelaar, (cello, 24 of Mowbray), Chad Groepies, (trumpet, 25, of Mitchell’s Plain), and Sigqibo “Gibbs” Tokwe (bassoon, 22 of Gqeberha but in UCT residence in Claremont). All are members of the Cape Town Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and students at UCT, and all perform as ad hoc musicians with the CPO. After auditions open to all in the Cape Town Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, they were selected to attend the jnp summer camp in Germany in August. Next March, four young jnp musicians will join the CPO in a concert as part of the exchange.
For Mr Valentin, this is a chance to assist and promote young talented musicians to progress in their chosen careers by expanding their repertoire and being exposed to other cultures where music is of paramount importance.
“I believe that talented young people from underserved communities, deserve all the support they can get. I have been involved for more than twenty years in social projects Honduras/ Central America assisting young people to achieve great lives through education. I am most impressed with how the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra is committed to education and development and believe that together we can achieve a great deal. This all expenses paid exchange is planned as the forerunner of many and will include all instruments in time, and also the first part of a collaboration between me and the CPO that will benefit other young people in both worlds exchanging experiences.”
Marlene Schleicher, managing director of the jnp, who visited South Africa in February to meet the youth orchestra, was delighted by the calibre of its players.
“After listening to the audition tapes, we had no hesitation in inviting these four young people who will blend in so well with the musicians of the jnp who are without question some of the best young players in Germany. We look forward to an excellent summer camp and concerts.”
Read more about the jnp here https://junge-norddeutsche.de/
For the CPO’s CEO Louis Heyneman, the commitment by Mr Valentin is crucial to the youth programme, in particular in the townships.
“His support shows us that we are on the right track and we welcome him as a long term committed partner of the CPO. “
