Fish Hoek High School pupils Evangeline Wilson-Harris and Nina Gibson have reason to blow their own horns after being chosen to perform with the Cape Town Philharmonic Youth Orchestra.
“I couldn’t believe it at first,” said Grade 10 Evangeline. “I had worked really hard for it, but it took a moment to sink in that I had actually made it.”
At an audition in January, she performed Tchaikovsky’s String Serenade and Grieg’s Intermezzo on the cello.
Drawing inspiration from cellists such as her teacher, Matthias Ender, and Pablo Ferrández, she dreams of pursuing a professional career in music.
Nina, a Grade 11 clarinettist, said she had felt a mix of nerves and surprise after hearing of her acceptance.
“I had prepared for about a month, focusing on a solo piece — a cello suite by JS Bach arranged for clarinet.”
She draws inspiration from clarinettist Sabine Meyer and her teacher, Matthew Ferrandi.
Nina aims to blend her musical talents with technology, aspiring to pursue a career in sound engineering.
Fish Hoek High School principal Steve Joubert said: “We are incredibly proud of both Evangeline and Nina’s achievements.”
The school’s head of music, Michelle Carter, said the two young musicians spent many hours each week honing their skills.
“Their passion for music and performing has increased and they are becoming role models for younger musicians in the school.”
The orchestra’s youth development manager, John Minnaar, said that being part of the orchestra offered many benefits.
“Members get first-hand experience with sectional lessons from Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra musicians. They learn orchestral etiquette, punctuality, how to prepare their parts before rehearsals, leadership skills, and teamwork in both orchestral and ensemble settings. Their work ethic and listening skills improve daily.”
Members also receive master-classes from nationally and internationally acclaimed musicians who perform as soloists with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra and also get the chance to be conducted by world-renowned conductors.
Evangeline and Nina were conducted by maestro Conrad van Alphen at the Side by Side concert in the City Hall on Thursday June 6.
