Young musicians prepare for annual competition
The annual Hubert van der Spuy National Music Competition, celebrating its 35th year from 16 to 20 September, has become one of the highlights on the music scene for young prodigies, including three participants from Namibia - Juliette Nel (cello), Samuel Nel (piano) and Xin Yu Chen (piano).The 35th anniversary is marked by a new collaboration with the Stellenbosch University Music Department. According to Prof Mario Nell, chairperson of the SU Music Department, “our department boasts a proud tradition, spanning more than a century, of dedication to music education, the performing arts, creative work and academic research. The Hubert van der Spuy National Music Competition's commitment to identifying, developing and providing public exposure to an outstanding young generation of classical musicians, fits hand in glove with our department’s commitment to reaching out to the school-going ages, and fostering such young talents.”
According to the chairperson of the Tygerberg branch of the South African Society of Music Teachers, Hilda Boonzaaier, they are excited for this milestone year of the Hubert van der Spuy National Music Competition. “We are thrilled with the quality of entries and the diversity of instruments received from students across South Africa and Namibia. We wish everyone the very best as they prepare for our competition week.”
Forty-six young musicians will be participating in the competition to be adjudicated by Dane Coetzee, Hendrik Hofmeyr and Lizet Smith.
The competition final will be live-streamed on 20 September at 18:30 via https://m.youtube.com/c/HubertvanderSpuyNationalMusicCompetition