The core business of the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra is performing as a symphony orchestra of international standard. However, the nurturing of future musicians and the development of youth music in Cape Town, plus developing new audiences in this country are of equal importance.

The orchestra plays not only in the Cape's premier venues, but also visits smaller venues in previously disadvantaged communities. Thus, although the city centre is likely to remain the prime performance location, a variety of community venues should become well established.

The CPO embraces education through entertainment and has embarked on a far–reaching educational and outreach programme. The orchestra seeks to create opportunities for talented young musicians to develop their skills under the guidance of professionals with a wealth of knowledge and experience.

The educational strategy includes among others a cadet programme, the Cape Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, the Cape Philharmonic Youth Wind Ensemble and the CPYO Junior Strings. The plan behind the Cape Philharmonic Youth Orchestra is an optimistic one: it usually takes fifteen years to train a performing concert musician. But the dedication and enthusiasm shown by the CPO musicians should prove the determining factor in reaching the 2011 goal: it is hoped that by 2011, this collaborative process will yield positive results so that the musicians will be more representative of the demographics of the people of the Western Cape.

Cape Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (CPYO)

The Cape Philharmonic Youth Orchestra was launched in 2004 as part of the CPO’s development and transformation plan: most of the members of the CPYO come from previously disadvantaged communities. The members of the professional orchestra are committed to a programme of teaching and training the young musicians through regular workshops and one-on-one tuition.

This flagship of the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra’s Outreach and Education programme has made great strides under the leadership of Alexander Fokkens since his appointment as resident conductor of the CPYO in 2006. Some of the CPYO’s performances in the past two years included the orchestra’s debut at the First Cape Town International Summer Music Festival (November 2006, Artcsape), a concert hosted by Tygerberg Rotary Club (March 2007, Paarl) and the CPO Education’s Midyear Showcase (June 2007, Cape Town City Hall). The CPYO again performed during the Second Cape Town International Summer Music Festival (December 2007).

Cape Philharmonic Youth Wind Ensemble (CPYWE)

The Cape Philharmonic Youth Wind Ensemble made their debut before a local audience on 1 May 2004 and have become a well-established group participating in many concerts with the CPO but also performing on their own.

Some of the CPYWE’s highlight performances in the past two years have included participation in the Artscape Wind Band Festival (2006) and their international debut at the First Cape Town International Summer Music Festival (November 2006). They also performed during the Mayoral Welcome (an event which welcomes dignitaries attending the Opening of Parliament) in Feb. 2007 and at the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport’s Artistic Showcase at Artscape in May 2007.

In March and April 2007 they performed with the visiting Dutch group Brass Band Schoonhoven (BBS) at the V & A Waterfront and in Bands in Concert at Artscape (the latter concert also featuring Windworx). During the BBS visit the CPO Education programme facilitated workshops and performances at community venues and schools and their conductor, Benny Wiame (a trumpeter) gave master classes at UCT. At the Midyear Showcase 2007, Wesley Lewis (first violinist in CPYO and trainee conductor) made his conducting debut conducting the CPYWE. At the end of 2007 the CPYWE performed with the CPYO during the Second Cape Town International Summer Music Festival.

CPYO Junior Strings

This ensemble started a year ago under the guidance of David Snaith assisted by Michele Williams (the principal second violinist in the CPO) and Colette Botha (second violinist in CPO). Subsequently Brandon Phillips was appointed as the conductor of this very young ensemble. The members are from Musedi, a music project in Elsies River.

Conductors' master classes

The CPO Outreach and Education programme is privileged to have a pedagogue of the calibre of the internationally renowned Maestro Victor Yampolsky involved in our education process. Maestro Yampolsky also oversees the overall vision and objectives of the education programme and his insights have proven invaluable to the growth of the youth orchestras to date. The master classes for trainee conductors are conducted over four weekends and the intensive training includes opportunities to conduct the CPYO and CPYWE.

Teaching Programme (Instrumental Tuition & Theory)

The teaching programme involves about 70 learners receiving weekly tuition in their respective instruments at the Good Hope Seminary High School. The tuition is provided by 18 teachers drawn from among the CPO musicians and music teachers from schools.

Instrument Bank

Various projects and individuals benefit from our instrument bank. These projects include among others include the Hout Bay Strings, the Zolani Centre, Musedi and the Good Hope Seminary High School.

Cape Philharmonic Orchestra Outreach & Education