Pretoria Youth Philharmonic Orchestra

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WHO WE ARE:

The Pretoria Youth Philharmonic Orchestra is a youth orchestra based in Brooklyn, Pretoria. Our

orchestra consists of school children, students and young adults up to the age of 25, and currently has

about 35 members. As a group of young musicians, we play together for the love of music and for the

enrichment of people’s daily lives through an orchestral setup. We strive to implement a ‘musical circle’,

whereby older and more experienced orchestra musicians guide and help younger musicians. This helps

them to feel secure, gain confidence, knowledge and valuable orchestral exposure, whilst enjoying the

shared musical experience!

HISTORY:

The Pretoria Youth Philharmonic Orchestra (PYPO) was founded in 1996 after the disbandment of the

Northern Transvaal Youth (NTY) orchestra. The NTY orchestra was supported, funded and run in totality

by the Transvaal Education Department. No other orchestras of this nature, was present at the time to

provide young musicians an opportunity of playing in an orchestra. Since PYPO’s existence the

orchestra is a completely independent organization, which is solely dependent on financial income from

concerts, annual membership fees and sponsorships. A committee, consisting of senior members, is

responsible for the complete management of the orchestra. As far as we know, this is the only

orchestra in the world with this management structure – being completely run and managed by its own

members, of whom all is below the age of 25! PYPO does not receive any support from a senior or

professional adult orchestra, as in the case of most other youth orchestras. From March 1997, PYPO is

conducted by the very well know and highly acclaimed Mr. Pienaar Fourie.

REHEARSALS:

These take place on a weekly basis, on a Tuesday evening 18:30-20:30 in Brooklyn, Pretoria. We also

have an annual weekend rehearsal camp, during which time a number of pieces will be rehearsed and

refined so that it can form part of our repertoire. Sectional rehearsals and workshops also take place

sporadically, especially before concerts or tours. Each musician is responsible to master his own

instrument by taking lessons with a private teacher and thus improving his skills even further on his

own. During an orchestral rehearsal the conductor would guide and assist the musicians in creating

harmony and perfecting the piece as the composer intended it to sound. “If a composer could say what

he had to say in words he would not bother trying to say it in music. “~ Gustav Mahler

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PERFORMANCES:

Regular performances are held at churches, schools, weddings, shopping malls, private functions and

glamour events. Over the years PYPO had performances in Pretoria, Middelburg, Newcastle, Durban,

Potchefstroom, Cullinan and George. These performances included spectacular private corporate

functions (with synchronized live fireworks) in Sun City as well as tours to Ellisras, Thabazimbi, George

and Natal. Most recent concerts include:

Demonstration concerts – Hammanskraal, Mabopane Children’s home, Louis Botha children’s

home, Jakaranda Children’s home, Precious Pearls shelter, Arcadia primary school

Christmas celebration concert @ Irene Village Mall, featuring “Ghapi”

90th Year Celebration Orchestral Festival @ the Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool (Affies)

Annual Gala dinner

Oktober Fest @ Deutsche Schule Pretoria

REPERTOIRE:

A variety of music is performed in order to keep the program exciting. It usually consists of a

combination of classical and light modern music. The relevant music is chosen for each event in

accordance with the occasion e.g., when we perform in schools, light energetic music would rather be

played than long classical and technically difficult pieces.

NEW MEMBERS:

Auditions are organized periodically for new members. Any person younger than 25 who plays an

orchestral instrument may contact us to organize an audition. The orchestra committee will evaluate

the musician and consider existing vacancies in the orchestra before admittance.

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OUR GOALS:

To provide the opportunity for young people to participate in the performance of orchestral

music and gain experience

To promote the training of young musicians

The enhancement of life through orchestral music

Musical and technical improvement in individual instruments

Personal and social development and enjoyment leading to growth as musicians

Sight reading improvement

To enrich people’s daily lives with the joy of music!

WORKING TOWARDS:

Uplifting program for disadvantaged, by musical exposure

Education of learners in the dynamics of an orchestra and its instruments, as well as exposing

them to the joy of being able to play an instrument

CONDUCTOR - MR. PIENAAR FOURIE:

PYPO is conducted by Mr. Pienaar Fourie, since 1997. He was born

in Bloemfontein, South Africa and started violin lessons with Jack

de Wet at the age of thirteen. Two years later he appeared as a

soloist with the Johannesburg Symphony Orchestra. At age 15 he

conducted the Orange Free State Youth Orchestra for the first

time and has since conducted a large number of concerts in South

Africa and Namibia. After obtaining a Hons. B.A. (Mus.) degree at

the University of the Orange Free State, Pienaar studied in Siena in

Italy and at the Mozarteum in Salzburg. He was a lecturer at the

University of Potchefstroom for one year and a viola player in the

National Symphony Orchestra of the SABC for six years. Pienaar Fourie's teachers include Franco

Ferrara, Francesco Mander, Carlo Zecchi, Otmar Suitner and Werner Andreas Albert. In Salzburg he

studied under the supervision of Herbert von Karajan. He competed in conducting competitions in

South Africa and France. In 1995 Pienaar obtained the M. Mus. (Music Education) degree cum laude

from the University of Pretoria. He was the musical director and conductor of the Johannesburg

Symphony Orchestra from 1978 for three years and resumed this position in 1988. He was the conductor

of many orchestras through the years, including the West Rand Youth Orchestra and the JesuJoy

Symphony Orchestra. At the moment he is the conductor of the East Rand Youth Orchestra (ERYO), the

adult Johannesburg Symphony Orchestra (JSO) and PYPO. He also teaches violin privately. Through the

years he has proved to be an exceptional educator both in an orchestral setting, as well as in engaging

the audience during concerts.

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COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:

We strive to make a difference in the community by enriching young lives with the joy of music. In

recent years our orchestra has been involved in a series of demonstration concerts in communities such

as Mabopane and Hammanskraal, as well as various children’s homes and schools in and around

Pretoria. Our goal with these concerts is to demonstrate orchestral instruments, the functioning of an

orchestra and the joy of making music in a social environment.

We believe that it is important to give these types of performances, since the children of today are

losing their appreciation for classical and orchestral music. The talent of playing a musical instrument

and making music alone or with an orchestra is an amazing gift and many children do not get the

opportunity to discover that they have such a gift. By exposing them to this type of music and by

explaining to them how each instrument works, we aim to inspire young hearts to pick up an

instrument and to start playing!

During such a demonstration performance, our conductor would engage the audience in a discussion

about the orchestra, with pieces being performed at various stages in between. A general history of the

symphony orchestra as well as an explanation of the layout and functioning forms part of this

discussion. Each section of instruments is

introduced individually, with a description of

how it is played and where it fits into the

orchestra with regard to its sound and range.

The lead player of each section is given a

chance to display their instrument by playing

a short piece of well-known music. This often

results in a chorus of voices singing “7de

Laan”, “The Lion sleeps tonight” or even

“Waving Flag” – made popular by the 2010

Soccer World Cup. Our conductor involves

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the audience throughout the concert by asking questions and

sharing interesting facts with them. When performing for small

children this is especially effective, since their attention can easily

dwindle. Near the end of the performance, a few children are

invited to try and conduct the orchestra themselves – usually

resulting in many humorous moments! Afterwards, an

opportunity is given for questions and also for the children to see

the instruments up close and touch them or try to play if they

want. We encourage them to learn to play an instrument and we

try to inform them on how to make it happen.

Another way of involving the community is by giving these children the opportunity to actually come

play in our orchestra. For some of them it is difficult to reach our rehearsal venue, since they come from

places like Hammanskraal or Shoshanguve. Where we can, we try to help them by subsidising their

membership and camp fees, performance attire, or helping to cover their transport costs.

Recently we worked with the Shoshanguve Youth

Symphony Orchestra, who forms part of the

UNISA Music Foundation, for a number of

rehearsals and performances. This collaboration

proved to be a great success and it forged a

friendship between our orchestras. It was a good

learning experience, since we had the

opportunity to cross cultural and socio-economic

boundaries through the joy of music. Once again

we realised that music is a universal language

that is enjoyed by all, regardless of background or

convictions.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS:

We are always willing to provide a home for foreign visitors who wish to join an orchestra during their

stay in our beautiful country. During 2010 we hosted a guest-player from Germany for several months.

For him it proved to be a remarkable experience, especially being able to join in our concerts. It was

interesting to note that despite various differences in culture and even the constituency of the

orchestras in whom he is a member of back home, the universality of music formed a unique bond. He

has gained valuable experience during his time in South Africa and will undoubtedly continue to uphold

the principles that PYPO strive to achieve. It was with great sadness that we had to greet him – despite

being here for only a short time, he has really become part of PYPO.

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FINANCING:

The primary goal of the orchestra is to entertain and educate through music, but we understand that

without sound financial planning the orchestra will not be sustainable. The operational expenditures of

the orchestra are covered by concert fees and annual membership fees. The orchestra has become a

self-sustaining entity with accurate bookkeeping records and we are now looking to expand our

activities, specifically our involvement with disadvantaged communities. In order to do this we require

additional funding to procure instruments and equipment that are not always available at the remote

venues were we wish to play. Among our current requirements are:

Keyboard

Drum kit

Sound system

Data projector

Trailer – for storage and transporting of instruments

The orchestra attempts to keep membership fees as low as possible so as to not exclude musicians

from disadvantaged communities. In certain cases the membership fee has been waived.

Your organization can aid our orchestra by donating any of the instruments and equipment listed

previously, by subsidizing a musician’s membership fees or sponsoring a demonstration concert at an

establishment of your choice. Your organisation can also hire our orchestra to play at a concert for the

entertainment of your guests. The specific amounts required for each item are available on request. We

are committed to displaying any official sponsor’s name at our concerts throughout the country and

even outside South-Africa’s borders, as well as in brochures and in programs.

CONCLUSION:

Through the past decade and a half, the Pretoria Youth Philharmonic orchestra has made an immense

impact on hundreds of musicians and thousands of audience members’ lives. It is a platform for

development in music, education and personal development within a social environment and this has

been proven to be effective with several old PYPO members achieving incredible international

achievements.

There is a dire need for an orchestra of this nature, being run by students for students, to continue the

quest of music development within a social atmosphere. Not all musicians will become maestros and

devote their lives to playing in a professional orchestra, but all want to be able to enjoy the pleasure of

music to the fullest!

PYPO needs urgent support from organizations with a passion for the arts and who want to encourage

the musical training and development in the youth of South Africa. We would appreciate any donation,

sponsor or support immensely and you can be sure that it will definitely benefit many young lives!

Please contact us should you require any more information or if you are willing to support us in any

possible way. We would really appreciate it very much!

Website - www.pyporchestra.ning.com

Email - pyporchestra@yahoo.com

Chairperson, Riaan Nel: +27 82 797 3456