February 3, 2003
By Barbara Ludman
YOUTH orchestras, jazz bands, traditional dance troupes, rock bands and other collections of young music-makers are invited to apply for a slot in the "Orchestra Rave" set for mid-March at the education campus of the University of the Witwatersrand in Parktown.
A massed concert will cap two days of master classes, workshops, rehearsals and performances by a range of musicians. Among headliners are the Soweto String Quartet and Pops Mohamed, famed specialist in indigenous music.
"The purpose of the Rave is to bring together musicians and dancers from Gauteng and adjacent provinces ... and to use this event to promote music of all kinds, from classical to jazz," says a spokesman for the organisers, the Orchestra Company.
"We are trying to send the message that the opportunity to learn to play an instrument should be more accessible, all kinds of music can be performed, and that music education is a crucial part of a child's development."
The festival, sponsored by De Beers, will coincide with the beginning of the school holidays in the province and the last weekend of the Cricket World Cup. Organisers are hoping that families coming to the area for cricket will spend some time at the festival on the day before the World Cup final.
The event, on 22 March, is the third annual Rave organised by the non-profit Orchestra Company. Musicians range in age from nine years to young adulthood, and rehearse weekly at the Wits education campus, formerly the Johannesburg College of Education.
Groups involved currently are the Foundation Orchestra, conducted by Michael Masote and Joao Branco; the Johannesburg Youth Orchestra, conducted by Laurie Wapenaar; the Symphonic Wind Band, conducted by Francois Conradie; and the Johannesburg Jazz Youth Orchestra, conducted by John Davies.
"Currently over 50 percent of the annual budget is allocated to the music education of disadvantaged children, by providing full music scholarships and also by running outreach programmes," says the spokesman. "The Orchestra Company quite simply provides a home, where young talent can be nourished, guided and provided with performance opportunities."
Music and dance groups wishing to apply to participate in the Rave can phone Di Golding on (011) 642-9926 or 082-338-4462 or email raveandretrieve@wol.co.za
