INLSA

Violin player Marvin Weavers, 22, from Elsies River, a member of the SA National Youth Orchestra, has played to audiences across the country.

JULIAN KIEWIETZ

JANELLE SCHROEDER

Staff Reporters

WHEN Marvin Weavers picked up a violin at the age of 13, he never thought that one day he would be playing classical music to audiences across SA.

The 22-year-old from Elsies River has been a member of the SA National Youth Orchestra (Sanyo) for the past two years.

He was selected to join the elite orchestra after enrolling at Stellenbosch University to study music.

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While studying music, the house warden (matron) continually pushed me to try out. Even though I didn’t believe in myself, she did,” he said.

Weaver said he had since been given a number of opportunities, as well as a platform to perform and be recognised by other great orchestras.

He said he had been given bursaries to fly across the country, performing in places such as Durban and Joburg.

Sanyo selects only the most talented youth to perform across the country.

The orchestra was founded in 1964 and the SA-based energy and chemicals company Sasol has sponsored the programme since 1979.

The course consists of the national youth, concert and string orchestras programme that takes approximately 170 to 180 young musicians each year.

To become a member of the orchestra, youngsters must go through two anonymous audition processes, which aim to base selection solely on merit.

The first round of recorded auditions is held in each province countrywide, and the audition tapes are sent to three music professionals for review. A second round of auditions is a behind-the-scenes audition before a panel of professional musicians at the course.

The orchestra’s managing director, Sophia Welz, said the goal of Sanyo was different for each young musician, but one thing was clear: “It’s about being South African in the best possible way, learning about the world, learning about each other and making connections.”

Welz said 71 percent of the SA musicians in SA orchestras went through the programme.

Weaver, who is also contracted with the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra doing outreach education programmes, said Sanyo was a “unique and special programme”.

He said that life wasn’t always easy for him growing up in Elsies River.

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I was constantly surrounded by gangsterism and drugs, and could have easily fallen prey to the wrong things, were it not for my music.”

Auditions are being held for those in the Cape Town and Stellenbosch areas from February 15 to 18. For more information go to http://www.sanyo.org.za/courses/ course-info-2012/

julian.kiewietz@inl.co.za

janelle.schroeder@inl.co.za