Monument Magneetskool/Magnet School

Ses magneetskoolleerders het vanjaar weer die Universiteit van Pretoria se verrykingskursus op die UP kampus bygewoon. Ons leerders kon een-tot-een meesterklasse ontvang en ook inskakel by die UP simfonie-orkes. Die week se aktiwiteite is op Vrydag 22 Augustus op ‘n hoë noot afgesluit met ‘n simfonie-orkes uitvoering in die Aula ouditorium. 🎶

Die Aula-verhoog was tot barstens toe vol instrumentaliste; meer as honderd jong musici het met geesdrif en toewyding saamgewerk om o.l.v. Schalk van der Merwe ‘n pragvertoning op die planke te bring!

UPSO Play Week once again has been another highlight for these learners. Jonah James-Birkholtz – violin, Tadiwanashe Mwandiambira – violin, Carmen Saayman – viola, Uma Booyzen-Pillay – cello, Hesmari de Klerk – cello and Irma Ammann-Van der Merwe – flute, joined this orchestra for 3 rehearsals and one magnificent performance. 🎻🪈

They focused on film music this year, playing music from The Pirates of the Caribbean (Hans Zimmer), The Dark Knight – Batman (Hans Zimmer), Star Wars (John Williams) & The Lord of the Rings (Howard Shore).
Enjoy with us a selection of the highlights of this concert!

Thank you UP ARTS for another inspiring experience for these learners!

Three of our learners participated in the Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival during the July school holiday: Irma Ammann-Van der Merwe (flute), Jonah James-Birkholtz (violin) and Christiaan Naudé (cello). 🎻🪈

The experience of being part of an extraordinary symphony orchestra as well as a variety of smaller ensembles, the privilege to attend public master classes or practical lessons from renowned instrumentalists from South Africa as well as abroad… this all has been an unparalleled educational journey for these youngsters! An incredible experience for these three young musicians! 🎶

The recent enrichment course hosted by the School of the Arts, University of Pretoria, again offered several wonderful educational opportunities for young promising music students.

Some of our learners enrolled for masterclasses on their individual instruments, offered by the lecturers of the music department. This is always a valuable and inspiring experience for each learner and teacher.

UPSO (University of Pretoria Symphony Orchestra) again offered an Open Play Week to all young symphonic instrumentalists. Anyone could join and play for a full symphony orchestra, without any audition, but with all the fun!
Five Magnet School learners participated in this project, and it has indeed been a highlight for these young instrumentalists: Jonah James-Birkholtz (violin), Tadiwanashe Mwandiambira (violin), Carmen Saayman (viola), Uma Booyzen-Pillay (cello) and Irma Ammann van der Merwe (flute) were enthusiastic symphonic participants for a whole week.

UPSO was bursting at the seams for the week of 17 to 23 August. This symphony orchestra of about 200 members, consisted of almost 30 cello’s, more than 70 violins, a huge number of flutes and other woodwinds and a promising number of brass players. They had several lengthy rehearsals throughout the week and concluded their activities with a festive concert in the Aula on the UP campus, on Friday 23 August.

Under the baton of conductor Schalk van der Merwe, this huge orchestra attempted a challenging program with interesting repertoire this year. They played some melodies from ‘The Moldau’, by Smetana, the 8th Symphony of Schubert (movement I), Sibelius’s Symphony No 2 (movement IV) and some film music from the Batman movie.

Enjoy with us some highlights from this concert! 🎶

On Friday 25 August, the University of Pretoria’s annual enrichment festivities were concluded with a symphonic concert in the Aula Auditorium. UPSO invited all young symphonic instrumentalists to join them for three lengthy rehearsals and a celebratory concert. 🎶

Three of our learners, Jonah James-Birkholtz (violin), Carmen Saayman (viola) and Christiaan Naudé (cello), participated in this Open Play Week-project under the baton of conductor Schalk van der Merwe and the UP-Music Department. 🎻

Some great works were performed! Enjoy a selection of the highlights of this concert:
Beethoven’s Symphony No.5 in C Minor, Op. 67 (movement 1), “Palladio” by Karl Jenkins (arr. Eddie Clayton), the “The Star Wars Suite” - Part 1 by John Williams (arr. Robert W. Smith) and “The Planets Suite” by Gustav Holst (arr. Johnnie Vinson).
Other works on the program were the "Pizzicato Polka" by Johann & Josef Strauss (arr. P. Martin) and again the hugely popular "Game of Thrones" theme by Ramon Djawadi (arr. Eddie Clayton)

Thank you UP for providing another inspiring experience for these youngsters!