MEDIA RELEASE “What it Takes” Conducting Course

Facilitators: Alexander Fokkens and Leon Bosch
Date: 7 – 14 July 2018
Place: Odeion School of Music, UFS

The Free State Symphony Orchestra in conjunction with the South African National Youth Orchestra Foundation present “What It Takes: Conducting” course from 7-14 July as part of National Youth Orchestra’s annual Winter Course during the 2018 Vrystaat Kunstefees. “What It Takes” is an intensive orchestral programme designed to provide advanced candidates the opportunity to sharpen their professional skills with guidance from the best teachers in the country and the world, and give them access to the National Youth Orchestra’s local and international professional networks to improve their chances at a successful career in music. The teachers this year are Alexander Fokkens, FSSO Artistic Director and Conductor, and Leon Bosch, a virtuoso double bassist and conductor who will come from the UK to lead the National Youth Orchestra 2018.

The course will provide participants with the opportunity to attend National Youth Orchestra rehearsals as auditors, and participate in workshops lead by professional conductors, as well as the opportunity for podium time in front of the National Youth Orchestra. It also includes the opportunity to come to National Youth Orchestra’s Immersion Experience with the Grammy Award-winning conductor Osmo Vänskä and the Minnesota Orchestra from 14-19 August during their tour to South Africa.
Young conductors on the course are Chad Hendricks, Shaun Karssen and Liam Burden from the Western Cape, Esté Meerkotter from Gauteng and André Oosthuizen from the North West. Should any of the participants show particular ability and promise, they will be invited back to work with the FSSO at a later stage.

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