Northern Cape Symphony Orchestra to be launched

THE NORTHERN Cape Symphony Orchestra (NSO), a non-profit company, will hold its official launch at the Northern Cape Theatre tomorrow.

Special guest artist Sibongile Mngoma, the Northern Cape Symphony Youth Orchestra and local artists will perform at the event.

The orchestra is supported by the Presidential Employment Stimulus, the National Arts Council and the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and will provide training and performance opportunities for young musicians as well as generate employment for professional musicians in the Province.

One of the directors, Dingaan Chabalala, said the orchestra was the first of its kind in the Northern Cape.

“Young aspiring musicians between the ages of 15 and 25 with amazing talent were selected from across the Province to perform in the NSO youth orchestra. They will be trained to develop their skills and gain valuable experience in a supportive and nurturing environment. These young musicians will hopefully become members of the professional orchestra, ensuring the sustainability of the institution in the long term,” said Chabalala.

He added that the orchestra was established with the vision of creating a professional orchestra that would be able to perform to the highest standards and to provide the people of the Northern Cape with access to world-class orchestral music.

“The orchestra aims to become a leading cultural institution in the region and to contribute to the development of arts in South Africa as a whole.”

Chabalala stated that the NSO was led by a team of experienced and dedicated directors.

“These directors bring a wealth of expertise and knowledge in the music industry, both in South Africa and abroad, to the orchestra and are passionate about promoting arts in the Northern Cape.

“The directors, including Nathan Carlo, Kagisho Matthews and Chabalala, are leading educators who pour their heart and soul into developing musical talent in the Province, providing opportunities for young people.

“The launch of the Northern Cape Symphony Orchestra is a major milestone for the arts in the Province. It represents a significant step forward in the development of the region's cultural sector and provides a platform for local musicians to showcase their talents to a wider audience. With its commitment to excellence and its focus on developing young musicians, the orchestra is poised to become a leading cultural institution in South Africa,” he added.