Keiskamma
Music Academy was delighted to be taking part in the 1st South
African Galway Flute Festival hosted by the doyen of British flute
playing, Sir James Galway and his lovely wife Lady Jeanne Galway in
Cape Town between 17 - 21 February 2015. Keiskamma Music
Academy's top performers from 2014's music examinations Sambesiwe
Mavela and Wonke Mapuma were accompanied by KMA's Head Anthony Drake
and Katharina Appel, one of our hard-working volunteers from Germany
(who is also a flautist).
The week
was exceptionally busy with workshops and master classes beginning at
9 am and sometimes finishing at 9 pm. Scrumptious vegetarian
lunches were supplied by the Baxter restaurant. Evenings were
also rounded off with incredible recitals given by Sir James Galway,
Lady Jeanne Galway, pianist Anne Marshall as well as stunning
flautists Gabriele
von Durckheim, Liesl Stoltz, Bridget Rennie Salonen and Marlene
Verwey.
Learning
a range of general flute and practice techniques was an extremely
eye-opening experience for Sambesiwe & Wonke for whom this was
their first visit to the Mother City. Many teaching techniques
were also demonstrated which were of great benefit to both Kathie and
Anthony. On one of the days, everyone did have the opportunity
for a quick visit to Cape Town's beautiful Waterfront with
magnificent views of Table Mountain. Sambesiwe, Wonke &
Kathie took part in the final public concert at the Baxter Concert
Hall where around 100 flute players performed together.
Both
students were buzzing when they returned to Hamburg! Sambe explained;
''It
was brilliant. The highlights for me were watching Sir James play and
his morning 'warm-ups' and being taught by Lady Galway. It made me
want to be the next Sir James!! When I came back I practised so much,
even for the first time ever on a Saturday night! I want to thank
both Sir James and Lady Jeannie for making me love and appreciate
music even more and for opening my eyes to just how amazing music can
be...''
Indeed
we are all sincerely grateful to the Galways for their generous
sponsorship of Keiskamma Music Academy students to be able to attend
this event and eagerly anticipate the 2nd South African Galway Flute
Fesitval in 2016!
