Two young pianists share First Prize of national music competition

Two young pianists share First Prize of national music competition

03.10.2016  A shimmering display of their talent by fledgling instrumentalists was the hallmark of the 2016 SAMRO Hubert van der Spuy National Music Competition.

The advanced level of musicianship was particularly evident at the final round on Friday night, 30 September when two young Cape Town pianists, Qden Blaauw (12) and Leo Gevisser (13), were announced as joint First Prize winners.

No Second Prize winner was announced and the Third Prize went to another pianist, Leo Huan from Pretoria.

The prestigious competition took place over four rounds at the Hugo Lambrechts Music Centre in Parow, Cape Town starting on 26 September.

Sponsored by the Southern African Music Rights Organisation for the sixth year since taking over from the initial sponsor Sanlam in 2011, the event attracted a host of entries from around the country in categories such as piano, strings, woodwind and brass instruments, as well as other instruments (percussion, recorder, classical guitar and harp), with a special category for development groups. 

After earlier auditions in the main centres, fifty-four young primary school candidates aged 13 and younger eventually took to the stage on the 27th and after three preliminary rounds, eight candidates played off in the final round on 30 September.

The coveted First prize was shared with a gold medal and the Johanna van der Spuy Memorial Prize worth R15 000 being awarded to both Qden Blaauw from De Tyger, Cape Town, under the tutelage of Shane Goodall, and Leo Gevisser from Rondebosch, a student of Nina Schuman & Luis Magalhaes. They also won prizes in honour of the late Leon Hartshorne, first principal of the Hugo Lambrechts Music Centre in Parow, venue of the competition.

The bronze medal and R5 000 went to Leo Huan, a student of veteran Claudine van Breda in Pretoria. He also received an honorary mention for qualifying for and competing in the past five consecutive competitions.

For the best performances of a South African composition Leo Gevisser collected another R4 000.

Category prizes of R3 000 each plus free entrance to Unisa grade examinations, were awarded to:
- Piano: Qden Blaauw and Leo Gevisser;
- Strings: Gilah Kellner from Parklands, Cape Town on violin;
- Woodwinds:  Keon Muller from Blouberg, on clarinet.

In the Development section, prizes were awarded to Manguang String Project in Bloemfontein as most successful project and cellist, Chuang Feng Mei and her teacher Tilla Henkins.

Best performance prizes went to Qden Blaauw and Teboho Motsatse (Baroque - first round); and Leo Gevisser (Classical - second round; and Romantic - third round).

Presentations were also made to the most promising candidate (10 years and under) Teboho Motsatse (R3 000) and the runner-up, Jaden van Balla of Bothasig (R1 500).

The adjudicators were
• Hadley Duminy (B Mus honours in performance) , a celebrated performer himself and experienced examiner;
• Justin Sasman, an active educator at the NWU School of Music in Potchefstroom and a performer and recording artist himself;
• Elna van der Merwe, a fulltime accompanist and part-time piano lecturer at the Conservatory at Stellenbosch and a celebrated accompanist

The SAMRO Hubert van der Spuy National Music Competition is organised by the Tygerberg branch of the South African Society of Music Teachers (SASMT). The chairperson of the latter, Hilda Boonzaaier, expressed their gratitude and appreciation towards all the sponsors and donors, in particular SAMRO, UNISA, the ATKV, the Hugo Lambrechts Music Centre,  and the SASMT members.

“The performances this week and especially in the final round is indicative of the high standard maintained by our members and their pupils. Congratulations. We salute you! Have fun in preparing the candidates for 2017|”, said Boonzaaier.

Visit http://www.sena.org.za to find out more about SAMRO’s investment in music education and development.

Drafted and distributed by André Coetzee on behalf of the SA Society of Music Teachers (Tygerberg). 083 709 7065

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