STELLENBOSCH INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL LAUNCHES UNIQUE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME The Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival (SICMF) – celebrating its 10th year in 2013 – has launched a unique scholarship programme which could change the lives of ten young South African musicians. The 10x10 Ambassador Scholarships will see 10 student participants of the festival spending 10 days with one of the esteemed international musicians who will be performing and presenting master classes at the SICMF this year. This creates a big opportunity for young South African musicians to experience first-hand how the international classical music industry works by engaging closely with one of the invited guest artists from abroad in their country. The SICMF will be held at the Stellenbosch University Konservatorium from 5 to 14 July and will consist of concerts, public master classes, lectures and coaching sessions for students from across South Africa. According to Peter Martens, acclaimed cellist and Festival Director, 250 students are expected to participate, while 10 top-notch local musicians will join 19 international counterparts on the festival faculty. Over the past 10 years, the SICMF has become the biggest festival of its kind on the African continent and its programme of 10 evening concerts has become a staple on the South African concert calendar. The 10x10 Ambassador Scholarship programme was launched specifically as part of the celebrations for the 10th annual SICMF. “Whilst we consider it of utmost importance to service the needs of music students from all walks of life and at grassroots level, we pride ourselves in having maintained and even elevated high standards of excellence in our 10 years of existence,” says Martens. “The SICMF now boasts many stories of hope and success of South African students whose passage to music study abroad has been facilitated, inspired or made possible by the SICMF. It is a reality that South African music students who will eventually embark on an international performing career will need to study abroad and these Ambassador Scholarships will provide them with a stepping stone into the international music scene,” Martens adds. Prof Nina Schumann, celebrated concert pianist and the SICMF’s Artistic Director who started the festival in 2004, has identified 10 international faculty members who will work with the 10 talented young musicians abroad. In the course of 10 days, the student will accompany his/her mentor to rehearsals and receive free master classes. Among the 10 international faculty members are musicians who perform with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra in New York, the Mozarteum Orchestra in Salzburg and the Prague Radio Symphony, and teach at institutions such as the Cleveland Institute of Music and the Academia Nacional Superior de Orquestra in Lisbon, Portugal. The 10 lucky and talented young musicians will each receive an international return flight as well as accommodation for the 10 days. Promising music students have until 10 May to apply to attend the SICMF. For more information, visit sicmf.co.za or contact the SICMF office on 021 808 2343 during office hours. Programme details will be announced soon. Tickets for the SICMF concerts will be able available at Webtickets or at the Konservatorium’s Endler Hall box office. For media enquiries, please contact: Louise Howlett: 021 808 2358 / 084 682 1337
Posted on: Tue, 18 Jun 2013 12:46:24 +0000