The KZN Philharmonic Orchestra presents the 40th annual National Youth Concerto Festival on Thursday 29 September at the Durban City Hall at 7.30pm.

This festival gives advanced music students an opportunity to perform with a professional orchestra and also serves as a launch pad to their musical career.

Lykele Temmingh, resident conductor of the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra, leads the process of selecting the participants and directing them in concert. Auditions are held across the country in Pretoria, Cape Town, Bloemfontein, Port Elizabeth and Durban, and attract South Africa’s finest up-and-coming young musicians. The successful musicians will perform a concerto movement, aria or concert piece with the Orchestra in September.

The 2011 audition venues and dates are as follows:

- Monday 1 August 2011 - Pretoria – Room 1/8 Music Building (South Campus) - University of Pretoria

- Tuesday 2 August 2011 – Bloemfontein – Room 10 – Odeion School of Music - University of the Free State

- Wednesday 3 August 2011 – Cape Town – Room B2 – College of Music – University of Cape Town

- Thursday 4 August 2011 – Stellenbosch – Room C201 – Music Department – University of Stellenbosch

- Friday 5 August 2011 – Port Elizabeth – Room 117 - Recital Room – NMMU

- Saturday 6 August 2011 – Room 503 – Playhouse Company

The festival comprises three categories: instrumental, conducting and vocal. It is open to all participants who are bona fide music students, under the age of 25 and conductors under the age of 35. Finalists in the 2010 National Youth Concerto Festival are not permitted to apply again this year.

The KZN Philharmonic invites all interested music students to attend one of the above auditions and stand a chance of performing with a professional orchestra. A special highlight this year is the celebration of the Youth Concerto Festival’s founder and first principal conductor of the KZN Philharmonic, Dr David Tidboald’s 85th birthday. The event will pay tribute to Dr Tidboald, who will be on hand to witness the new generation of talent in South Africa.
This concert forms part of the KZN Philharmonic’s World Symphony Series Spring Season that commences on 15 September and runs until 3 November 2011. Bookings will open through Computicket on Monday 29 August 2011. For more information please contact 031 369 9438 or log onto http://www.kznpo.co.za