Joining the Stellenbosch City Orchestra

It was early in this year that Paul van Zuilenberg, conductor of the Stellenbosch City Orchestra (SCO), asked me if I would be able to join in the music making fun - playing piano.

This orchestra, together with Pauls' Bloemfontein City Ochestra, is a novelty simply for the reason that the orchestra doesn't really 'exist'. What do I mean? Well... A few weeks before the next concert, a What'sApp group is created, a bunch of names are added to the participant list, and there we go! Whoever can play, joins in (mostly amateurs who play for the love of the music AKA for free) and here-and-there a payed player is asked to fill in on sections needing instrumentalists.

Thus far we have had two performances: Movie Music at Nederburg and an ABBA tribute at Lourensford Estate. The atmosphere during concerts are laid back (though electrifying) and concert goers enjoy a lovely glass of estate wine while cheering, humming or belting-out the lyrics to the strains of their favourite hit. Our next concert will be another set of Movie Classics, again at Lourensford. 24 and 25 August @ 19:30. Be sure to attend one of these concerts - it's great fun all round.