Dear Friends,

The first season of the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra has just ended, and what a season it has been. We have been privileged to hear fabulous soloists and the orchestra, under the baton of Maestro Martin Panteleev, has certainly excelled itself. Their playing has been superb and there were moments, such as the Stravinsky Rite of Spring and the Mahler 5th Symphony, that were in a word outstanding. The concert sponsored by Dr Axel Horvath in celebration of his birthday was also a wonderful occasion. Booking for the autumn season has already opened so please do not neglect to get your tickets soon.

The annual late‐summer soirée at Old Mutual House in Bishopscourt which will take place on Sunday, 8 March 2015 at 17.30 for 18.00 was sold out within 10 days of tickets becoming available and the evening promises to be a most exciting one. I would like to express the Committee’s gratitude to Dave van Reenen, Norbert Furnon‐Roberts and Gerlinde Moser of Re/Max for their very generous contributions towards the holding of the soirée. The other events that have been scheduled for this year are:

  • 9 June 2015: A soirée with pianist Ammiel Bushakevitz playing Chopin and Schubert
  • August 2015:  The annual FOM Quiz that will again be held at the Glen Country Club (Date to be advised)
  • 19 November 2015: The FOM Gala Concert at the City Hall
  • 15 December 2015: A soirée with the world‐renowned pianist Gustavo Romero

I should also like to remind members of the FOM Annual General Meeting that will be held in the Isibaya Room at Artscape on 31 March 2015 at 18h30. The agenda will be circulated in due course.

As far as membership is concerned I am happy to report that a number of new members have joined FOM and we welcome them most warmly. I should however appreciate it if all members would be good enough to update their contact details as and when changes to this occurs. We have had a number of enquiries from members who say that they do not receive the newsletters and other communications. It the vast majority of such instances we have found that details have not been updated and correspondence is therefore still being sent to outdated addresses. I should also note that the new membership cards that were not collected at the Thursday night concerts have been posted to members.

Members should are reminded of the project to obtain an “acoustic shell” for use by the orchestra to improve the very poor acoustics at Artscape. Contributions marked “Shell” can be made by EFT into the FOM account (Account Name: Friends of Orchestral Music; Standard Bank, Rondebosch; Branch: 025009; Account No: 071 03 1146) and the payment advice sent to Dave van Reenen at yachtmadiba@yahoo.com. Cheques may posted to him at 23 Oxford Road, Wynberg 7800. I should also like to express our thanks and appreciation to Dr Louis Prades for the very handsome financial donation to FOM.

FOM has also become increasingly aware of the urgent requirements of the Masidlale project of the CPO. The Outreach and Education programme of CPO has served, since 2003, as a vehicle for thousands of historically disadvantaged children to access quality music education and performance experience. In providing free music education, the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra is truly giving effect to building an orchestral movement and culture for all, both for musicians and audiences. The Outreach and Education Programme is comprised of five main projects, including the Masidlale String project (7 satellites); the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra Music Academy, the Cape Town Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, the Cape Town Philharmonic Youth Wind Ensemble and the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra Schools and Community Outreach Programme. Currently more than four hundred children receive music education through these projects in far‐flung townships and areas of the Western Cape Province. Through the school and community concerts that are held regularly by the CPO, 6,000 people have been reached to date and exposed to classical music.

One of the greatest needs of the Masidlale project is for instruments for the children who participate in this project. FOM has decided to try to assist in this regard and to request its members to donate any musical instruments that are no longer being used and are lying gathering dust somewhere, to FOM. We will see to it that the instruments are made available to the Masidlale project once they have been checked and found suitable to be played. The instruments that we are especially interested in are violins, but any other musical instrument would also be welcomed. Please look in your attic or elsewhere for forgotten and unused instruments. If it has not been used for 6 months be sure that it will find a grateful home with an avid learner in the less‐privileged communities. We would also be interested in violins that members may wish to loan to the Masidlale project although that would not be our first choice since it would entail considerable administration and costs for insurance which FOM would like to avoid. Please be in touch with any of the Committee members if you can help. A list of the FOM Committee and their contact details is attached.

FOM also wishes to launch an appeal for an oboe for a very promising student who plays in the CPO Youth Orchestra but does not have the luxury of an own instrument. If any member perhaps has an unused oboe available please contact me on (082) 557‐6566 or derek@auret.co.za.

Best wishes and enjoy your music!
Derek Auret
Chairman: Friends of Orchestral Music

“Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.” ~Victor Hugo