ARTSCAPE
and the
CAPE TOWN PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
Supported by the City of Cape Town
Present the 55th
YOUTH CLASSICAL CONCERT
SATURDAY 05 SEPTEMBER 2026
ARTSCAPE at 7pm
Conductor: Brandon Phillips
Concertmaster: Philip Martens
MEDIA KIT
Media Release
Background of the Concert
Programme
Table of Musicians info
Media Release
This year, the annual Youth Classical Concert celebrates its 55th year at Artscape on 5th September at 7pm. Twelve highly accomplished young classical music instrumentalists and singers, who successfully auditioned, will perform as soloists with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Brandon Phillips.
Presented by Artscape and the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO), supported by the City of Cape Town, this prestigious concert is a highlight on the classical music calendar. It serves as an important launching pad in performing with a symphony orchestra on a professional theatre stage and is a significant milestone in the careers of these young musicians.
The main audition criteria were that candidates had to be bona fide music students, perform at a very high standard, and reside or study in the Western Cape. The emphasis of the concert is a celebration of young musical talent and not a competition.
The choice of repertoire presented at the auditions was an important consideration, as the selected works together form the concert programme.
Audiences will hear beautiful concertos by Ravel, Mozart, Shostakovich, Hofmeyr, Weber, Ibert, Khachaturian and Donizetti with arias by Saint-Saëns and Handel.
The soloists aged between 12 and 22 include: pianists Giorgia Ehlers (19), Alexander McIvor (18), siblings Xizhi Aiden Luo (15) and Weien Amy Luo (18). Raised in Lima, Peru, cellist Solange Rojas (22), marimba Kyrah Adams (20), clarinet Benjamin Monvoisin (12), euphonium Kumkani Kabane (20) and saxophone James Cilliers (20). Singers are Sopranos Phoebe Damons (20) and Sinesipho Tokwe (19), mezzo-soprano Lilitha Nkuku (20).
In preparation for the concert, each soloist receives comprehensive mentoring from Brandon Phillips. He is Resident Conductor of the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, Head of Woodwinds at the South African College of Music, University of Cape Town, and conductor of the UCT ensembles. He also served for many years as conductor of the Cape Town Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. This year marks the 11th Youth Classical Concert that Brandon Phillips will conduct.
Since the inception of the Youth Classical Concert, over 600 young musicians have had the opportunity of performing with the CPO. Many today are soloists or members of South African and international symphony orchestras and opera companies. This year a record number of 75 applications to audition were received.
The duration of this Concert is two hours including a 30-minute interval.
Ticket prices for Adults are R100, Pensioners, R50. Book through WEBTCKETS or
Artscape-Dial-Seat 021 421 7695. Block bookings 5 or more R80. Students & Scholars R50
Book with Artscape-Dial-Seat 021 421 7695. Age restriction five years and under.
Dr Marlene le Roux: CEO Artscape states –
This year, we celebrate a remarkable milestone: the 55th Youth Classical Concert, a partnership between Artscape and the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra that has, since 1971, opened the door for young musicians to step onto a professional stage. Over more than five decades and 600 young musicians later, this concert remains one of the clearest expressions of what Artscape stands for – a place for all, where talent is nurtured regardless of where a young person comes from.
This year’s twelve soloists, aged between 12 and 22, were selected from a record 75 applicants, a testament to the growing hunger among South Africa’s youth for spaces to develop as classical musicians. In a country where access to specialised arts education remains deeply unequal, this concert is more than a performance, it is a statement that talent exists everywhere, and that with the right platform, it can flourish.
Music education builds more than technical skill. It builds discipline, resilience, emotional intelligence and confidence, qualities that serve young people far beyond the concert hall. Artscape remains committed, alongside our partners the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra and the City of Cape Town, to ensuring the arts hold their rightful place in the education and development of our youth.
To this year’s soloists: you carry forward a 55-year legacy. We are proud of you, and we look forward to the artists you will become. Thank you to the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, the City of Cape Town, and everyone who continues to make this milestone concert possible.
Adriaan Fuchs – CEO and Artistic Director of the CPO states –
Welcome to the 55th Artscape Youth Classical Concert, where we celebrate the extraordinary talent, dedication and promise of South Africa’s next generation of classical musicians.
For more than five decades, this cherished collaboration between Artscape and the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra has given outstanding young musicians the invaluable opportunity to perform as soloists with a professional symphony orchestra. For many, this concert marks an important milestone in their artistic journey.
Under the baton of Brandon Phillips, tonight’s concert brings together exceptional young singers and instrumentalists whose artistry, commitment and perseverance have earned them a place on the Artscape stage. We are honoured to celebrate the remarkable depth of musical talent that exists in South Africa.
This concert also reflects the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra’s enduring commitment to music education. Through our education and development programmes, more than 300 young people receive free instrumental and theory tuition, ensemble training and performance opportunities each year. Beyond these programmes, thousands more children and young people experience the power of live orchestral music through our schools concerts, community performances and outreach initiatives. Whether they go on to professional musical careers or simply carry a lifelong love of music into their communities, each contributes to South Africa’s cultural future.
We are deeply grateful to Artscape for its valued partnership, to the City of Cape Town for its generous support, and to the teachers, families and mentors whose encouragement has helped these young artists reach this stage.
Above all, we congratulate tonight’s soloists. They represent not only the future of classical music in South Africa, but also the extraordinary possibilities that emerge when talent is recognised, nurtured and given the opportunity to flourish. We wish them every success as they continue their musical journeys.
BACKGROUND OF THE FESTIVAL
The inception of the Youth Music Festival dates to the opening of what was then known as the Nico Malan Theatre in 1971. In that year, an orchestra was formed by David Tidboald to service the various performing arts genres (opera, ballet etc.) attached to the new theatre centre. He also had the vision to start the youth music festival concept whereby young instrumental soloists and singers would be given the opportunity of performing annually with a professional orchestra. When the old CAPAB orchestra and the CTSO amalgamated in 1997 and from the start of the CPO in 2000, the YMF continued under the joint banner of the CPO and the renamed Artscape Theatre Centre.
The Youth Music Festival dates back to the opening of the then known Nico Malan Theatre in 1971. That year, David Tidboald formed an orchestra to serve the theatre’s opera, ballet and other performing arts productions. He also conceived the Youth Music Festival, creating an annual opportunity for outstanding young instrumentalists and singers to perform with a professional orchestra. Following the amalgamation of the CAPAB Orchestra and the Cape Town Symphony Orchestra in 1997, and the establishment of the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO) in 2000, the festival continued under the joint banner of the CPO and the renamed Artscape Theatre Centre.
ENTRANTS
Each year there are between forty to sixty entrants that participate in the auditions. This year there were 75 entrants.
SELECTION OF FINAL SOLOISTS
An adjudication panel assesses each performer with piano accompanist for the orchestra reduction. With so many outstanding young musicians auditioning, the challenge is not only to select the finest performers but also to create a varied and engaging programme of contrasting works that will appeal to a broad audience. Many more candidates are deserving of the opportunity than can be accommodated. Deciding whom to leave out is always the most difficult part of the process. While this inevitably brings disappointment, it is also part of the valuable learning experience gained through auditions and competitions. Ultimately the panel of adjudicators comes to an agreement and the concerts always prove to be very exciting and of an incredibly high standard.
The adjudicating panel this year comprised Conductor Brandon Phillips, Prof Nina Schumann – Head of Practical Music Studies, University of Stellenbosch, Sindile Patrick Tikolo – Associate Professor and Head of Vocal Division, South African College of Music, University of Cape Town, Azra Isaacs Sub principal violist at CPO. She was a soloist in the 2006 Youth Classical Festival, Marvin Weavers former CPO Youth Development & Education Co-ordinator and Project Manager for this concert.
Among past members of the adjudicating panel were Alastair Cockburn, Daniel Neal, Aviva Pelham, Ronnie Samaai, George Michie, Neil Robertson and Samantha Durrant, who was herself a soloist in the 2010 Youth Classical Concert. Their dedication, experience and commitment to the project inspired and supported the young musicians.
PERFORMANCE PROGRAMME 2026 –
1. Saint-Saëns: Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 22 – 1. Andante sostenuto
Giorgia Ehlers
2. Handel: “Tornami a vagheggiar” from Alcina
Sinesipho Tokwe
3. Handel: “È gelosia” from Alcina
Lilitha Nkuku
4. Mozart: Bassoon Concerto in B-flat Major, K. 191 – 1. Allegro
Kumkani Kabane
5. Hofmeyr: Concerto per Marimba e Orchestra d’Archi – 1. Fantastico
Kyrah Adams
6. Donizetti: “Quel guardo il cavaliere” from Don Pasquale
Phoebe Damons
7. Khachaturian: Piano Concerto in D-flat Major, Op. 38 – 1. Allegro ma non troppo e maestoso Alexander McIvor
Total: 54 minutes
INTERVAL
8. Saint-Saëns: Piano Concerto No. 5 in F Major, Op. 103 – 3. Molto allegro
Weien Amy Luo
9. Weber: Concertino for Clarinet in E-flat Major, Op. 26
Benjamin Monvoisin
10. Shostakovich: Cello Concerto No. 1 in E-flat Major, Op. 107 – 1. Allegretto
Solange Rojas
11. Ibert: Concertino da camera – 2. Larghetto
James Cilliers
12. Ravel: Piano Concerto in G Major – 1. Allegramente
Xizhi Aiden Luo …. End
BRIEF REFERENCES OF SOLOISTS
| NAME | AGE | INSTRUMENT | RESIDE | Studying with / University of Cape Town *UCT Stellenbosch University *SU |
| Giorgia Ehlers | 19 | Piano | Mowbray | Dr Esteah Kruger SA College of Music *UCT |
| Sinesipho Tokwe | 19 | Soprano | Observatory | Professor Patrick Tikolo SA College of Music *UCT |
| Lilitha Nkuku | 20 | Mezzo Soprano | Goodwood | Sipho Fubesi SA College of Music *UCT |
| Kumkani Kabane | 20 | Euphonium | Cape Town | David Langford SA College of Music *UCT |
| Kyrah Adams | 20 | Marimba | Paarl | Suzette Britz *SU |
| Phoebe Damons | 20 | Soprano | Bellville | Lauren Dasappa *SU |
| Alexander McIvor | 18 | Piano | Cape Town | Nina Schumann *SU Electrical Engineering + Piano |
| Weien Amy Luo | 18 | Piano | Stellenbosch | Prof Mario Nel *SU |
| Benjamin Monvoisin | 12 | Clarinet | Loevenstein | Liam Burden Hugo Lambrechts |
| Solange Rojas | 22 | Cello | Somerset West | Peter Martens *SU |
| James Cilliers | 20 | Saxophone | Durbanville | Liam Burden *SU |
| Xizhi Aiden Luo | 15 | Piano | Pearl Valley | Prof Mario Nel *SU |
Fine Music Radio will broadcast the concert live on 5 September 2026 from 7pm
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For additional information, interviews and images, please contact
Berniece Friedmann bernfried@kingsley.co.za
Mobile/WhatsApp 082 892 5877
