Celebrating 53 years of the annual Youth Classical Concert during the 30^th year of Democracy in South Africa 2024 is a significant milestone in the careers of thirteen exceptionally accomplished young classical music instrumentalists and singers. The 13 successfully auditioned to perform with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO) at Artscape on 5 October at 7.30pm. This prestigious annual event will be conducted by the distinguished principal guest conductor of the CPO Maestro Bernhard Gueller.

Since the inception of this programme in 1971, over 600 young musicians have had the opportunity of performing for the first time with the CPO on the Artscape stage. Many are currently performing internationally, are members of philharmonic orchestras and opera companies or have prominent positions in the music industry in South Africa.

The emphasis of this concert is a celebration of young musical talent. It is not a competition. The appeal of the works presented at their auditions was an important element in the final selection of these musicians, as their specific concertos form the programme for this concert. This concert also serves as an important launching pad in playing on a concert stage with a professional symphony orchestra. In preparation of their performance, they will receive individual, comprehensive mentorship sessions with Bernhard Gueller.

The soloists, whose ages range from 11 to 27 are Chanda Lupambo (18), Charlotte Alexander (11) and Caleb Thomas (19) piano; Corban Beukes (16), Catherine Stiff (21) and Gilah Kellner (20) violin. Nathan Huysamen (23) plays clarinet, Ethan Lawson (23) cello, and Loren Ehlers (20) accordion. Singers include sopranos Sashon Johnson (27), Karabo Rabaloi (24), Carmen Traut and Baritone Sisa Mjekula (22).

Produced by Artscape and the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra and supported by the City of Cape Town, the Youth Classical Concert is widely advertised early in the year at local universities, music schools, libraries, private music teachers and everywhere appropriate.  The main criteria are that the entrants be bona fide music students that they perform at a very high standard, and are resident or studying in the Western Cape.

Currently they are students at institutions such as the SA College of Music at the University of Cape Town, Stellenbosch University, Hugo Lambrechts Music Centre and with distinguished music teachers.  They will perform concertos by Rachmaninoff, Crusell, Mozart, Mier, Strauss, Elgar, Kabalevsky, Handel, Glazunov, South African composer Loren Ehlers, Beethoven, Moreno and American composer MacDowell.

Duration of the Concert is two hours including a 30 minute interval.

Ticket prices: Adults R100, Students, Scholars and Pensioners R50.  Block bookings of 10 or more less 10 %. Book through Webtickets https://webtickets.co.za/ or Artscape Dial-a-Seat 021 421 7695 or Artscape website www.artscape.co.za - Age restriction five years and under.

A highlight on the music calendar, this concert is sold out every year with enthusiastic supporters and lovers of classical music. Book your tickets now to avoid disappointment