Dear Friends

Two members of the CPO – Double Bassist Zanelle Britz and flautist Louisa Theart will be swimming the Robben Island Crossing for the CPO tomorrow – Sunday 26 November (weather permitting).  They are doing this incredible initiative to raise awareness and funds for the CPO outreach and development programme – and already they have had a wonderful response with 25 instruments (11 violins, 5 clarinets, 1 cello, 1 cornet and 7 recorders) donated so far!

The programme allows primary school learners from 11 partnering schools to receive free music lessons. These children are provided with everything from instruments to transport in order to make music part of their lives. They become part of our youth orchestras which creates a platform for young people from all over Cape Town to connect and forge friendships.  Money raised goes towards Items such as Rosin, strings, reeds for clarinets, flip files and paper for music and fuel for travel.

You can read more about the swim here: https://www.goodthingsguy.com/people/musicians-to-swim-iconic-crossing-for-philharmonic-orchestra-outreach

We have received a few enquires about the upcoming Summer Festival Season programming.  So far the programmes include the following:

11 January opens with a Tchaikovsky Celebration for the FOM Gala Fundraiser featuring conductor Bernhard Gueller and pianist Olga Kern.

The programme opens with the Waltz from Eugene Onegin and follows with the Piano Concerto No. 1 and Symphony No. 4

18 January features the sensational young violinist Miclen Laipan with conductor Jonathan Lo performing Barber’s Violin Concerto and the Scheherazade by Rimsky Korsakov

25 January features Johnathan Lo conducting cellist Luka Coezee with Prokofiev’s Sinfonia Concertante and the Symphonic Dances by Rachmaninov.

Subscription renewals and early booking for members opens as always at Dial-A-Seat at Artscape from 1 December.  General booking then opens on 14 December through Webtickets (which also means you can buy at Pick and Pay).

We look forward to seeing you at the final concert of the season next Thursday – either at the rehearsal in the morning or at the concert in the evening.

Kind regards

Friends of Orchestral Music