If you want to be inspired by the best young musicians Joburg has to offer, don't miss the annual JPO Academy showcase, which will take place in Soweto on Saturday 21 July and at Linder Auditorium, Sunday 22 July.

Ranging from ages 11 to 25, the musicians have been awarded scholarships from the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra (JPO) to study their chosen instruments. These talented youngsters will tackle pieces by a variety of composers, including Haydn, Mozart, Offenbach, Viotti, Cimarosa, Vivaldi, Saint-Saëns, Von Weber, De Beriot, Reinecke, Beethoven, Rodrigo and Tchaikovsky.

The concerto festival sees some older faces as well as some new musicians making their debuts. Performers include:

Alexander Whitehead (11) on cello; violists Mlungisi Zulu (21) Neo Motsatse (12), Pascali Mokadi (20), Phenyo Nakedi (24), Roxanne van Oudtshoorn (8), Andrew Gilbert (12) and Jeffery Armstrong (15); flautists Amy Stessl (14) Katlego Poopedi (20) and Lindsey James (25); pianist Landi Schaap (14); Nicholas Redelinghuys (17) on clarinet; classical guitarist Chloe Murphy (21); pianist Brian Bae (20); and soprano Isabella Snyman (13)

Since 2008 more than 40 learners have become part of the academy's four-year programme and at the end of 2012 a number of the senior students will be auditioning to gain positions as cadets with the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra. This is one of the last chances to see them perform as part of the academy.

The programme is as follows:

Alexander Whitehead  Concerto, Hob.VIIb:1, C major F.J Haydn 1st mvt

Mlungisi Zulu Violin Concerto, No. 5, K219, A major W.A Mozart 1st mvt

Isabella Snyman Soprano "Les Oiseaux dans la charmille" ( The Doll Song) J. Offenbach from Tales of Hoffmann

Neo Motsatse Violin Concerto, No. 22, A minor G.P Viotti 1st mvt

Amy Stessl and Katlego Poopedi Flute Concerto (Concertante) for 2 Flutes, G major D. Cimarosa

Pascali Mokadi and Phenyo Nakedi Concerto for 2 violins Op.3, No. 8 , RV522, A minor A. Vivaldi

Landi Schaap Piano Concerto No.2, Op.22, G minor C. Saint-Saëns 3rd mvt

Roxanne van Oudtshoorn La primavera, RV 269, E major (Spring) A. Vivaldi from The Four Seasons

Nicholas Redelinghuys Clarinet Concertino, Op 26, E-flat major C.M von Weber

Andrew Gilbert Violin Concerto No. 9, Op.104, A minor C. de Beriot

Lindsey James Concerto in D major, Op. 283 C. Reinecke 1st mvt

Jeffery Armstrong Romance No.2, Op 50, F major L. Van Beethoven

Chloe Murphy Concierto de Aranjuez J. Rodrigo 2nd mvt

Brian Bae Piano Concerto, No. 1, Op 23, B-flat major P.I Tchaikovsky

The concert starts at 3pm. Tickets are R50, unreserved and available at the door. Enquiries for tickets can be done through Neville 011 789 2733.

Any enquiries about the musicians or repertoire can be made via Sonja academy@jpo.co.za  

Issued by Bridget van Oerle and Christabel Zulu