Young Ballito pianist wins 33rd Hubert van der Spuy National Music Competition
After three strenuous rounds of elimination the eight finalists in the 2022 Hubert van der Spuy National Music Competition on Friday night took to the stage of the Hugo Lambrechts Auditorium in Parow, Cape Town, for their ultimate performances in this prestigious competition.
The talented young musicians were carried by the support of a very appreciative capacity audience, who for the first time since the outbreak of Covid-19, had the privilege of listening and watching the best of the best in person. Like most other art forms locally and internationally, the Hubert van der Spuy National Music Competition faces its share of trouble during the worldwide pandemic. The 2020 competition had to be cancelled, while the 2021 event took place without an audience, with only the participants and their families, teachers and other role-players in attendance. The gala event was also livestreamed from the competition’s YouTube channel and was enjoyed by local and international supporters.
Top honours this year went to the 13-year-old pianist Weiru Yan from Ballito in KwaZulu-Natal, who walked away with a total of R28 200 in prizemoney, as well as a gold medal and an invitation to perform as soloist at the Hugo Lambrechts Concerto Festival in 2023. Weiru is a learner at the Ashton International College in Ballito, where she studies with a music scholarship. In addition to the Johanna van der Spuy first prize of R15 000, she also won prizes for the best performance of a Baroque work in the first round; the best performance of a Classical work in the second round; the best performance of a South African composition; and the first prize in the Piano Category.
She started playing the piano five years ago and for the past four years is taught by Liezel-Maret Livingstone. Weiru’s achievement is even more remarkable because since the pandemic she has been receiving online lessons only and hasn’t seen her teacher in person for three years. Livingstone is now living in Ireland and on Friday night watched the live streaming of the concert online. She also won R2 500 as teacher of the winner.
Runner-up was the 12-year-old Eléna Monvoisin, from Cape Town in the Western Cape. Her total prizemoney of R17 900 is made up of R10 000 for the second place as well as prizes for best performance of a Romantic work in the third round; the prize for the candidate whose teacher is a member of the Tygerberg branch of the South African Society of Music Teachers (SASMT); second prize in the Piano Category; and the prize as the audience favourite at the concert.
Eléna is home-schooled and also plays the violin and oboe. She enjoys ballet, reading, running and has a big succulent collection. Her teacher Linda Claassen won R2 000 as well as R1 200 as a member of the Tygerberg branch of the SASMT, whose candidate did the best.
The 13-year-old Ziné Mostert from Randburg in Gauteng plays the piano and won the third prize of R7 500. She took home a total of R9 700, with her teacher, Caryn Reed, winning R1 500. Ziné also plays the flute and participates as a competitive swimmer. To relax she either spends time with her friends or enjoys reading a good book.
Sponsors to the competition include Professor Hubert van der Spuy personally; the Hugo Lambrechts Music Centre; the Allmusic Institute; Virtuozo; and the Roodepoort International Eisteddfod of South Africa (RIESA). All participants in the third round received a cash prize of R1 000 with an additional R1 200 for the top eight.
Twelve-year-old Nina Cilliers, from Durbanville in the Western Cape, won the String Category prize of R3 000 for a total of R5 200 in winnings, while Zhoufeng Du, a 13-year-old pianist from Pretoria, received honorary mention and R1 000 for qualifying and participating in the last four competitions. He won a total of R3 200.
The other qualifiers in the final round, each with prizes to the value of R2 200 were 11-year-old pianist Annabelle Chen from Johannesburg in Gauteng; 12-year-old Samuel Nel, on piano from Walvis Bay in Namibia; and 11-year-old pianist Naomi van Straaten, from Johannesburg.
At the tender age of just six, Hanna Marais from Pretoria in Gauteng on piano was the youngest participant in this year’s competition. Apart from the third-round prize of R1 000, she also won best performance of a Classical work in the second round, for participants ten years and younger, and walked off with R5 000 as best candidate of ten and younger (total prizemoney R7 500).
The 13-year-old Quinn Goliath from Parow in the Western Cape plays the saxophone and in addition to the third-round prize, also won the Woodwind Category (total prizemoney R4 000).
Other third-round qualifiers who received prizemoney of R1 000 are: Misha van der Merwe, 13, from Mossel Bay in the Western Cape on the cello; 13-year-old Sebastian Swanepoel on the piano, from Johannesburg; on violin the 12-year-old Annie Chang from Pretoria; Shin-Yih Chen, 12, from Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal on the piano; 13-year-old pianist Daniël Bursey from Cape Town; and the 12-year-old cellist, Jayden Li, from Johannesburg.
The prize of R1 500 for the best performance of a Baroque work in the first round, for participants ten years and younger, went to Vivienne Chen from Johannesburg on the violin.
The competition is the brainchild of Professor Hubert van der Spuy and was established and launched as an instrumental competition for primary school learners in 1989. At the time Van der Spuy was head of the newly established SASMT Tygerberg branch and the head of the Music Department at the University of the Western Cape, where he inspired young people to become their very best.
One of his music students was the charismatic Marlene le Roux, the well-known disability and women’s rights activist, and CEO of the Artscape Theatre Centre in Cape Town, and also patron to the competition. During her address on Friday night, she hailed van der Spuy for the inspiring role he played in her own life as well as those of hundreds of others – either as students under his watch, or as participants in the competition.
She said: “This National Competition is one of a kind in South Africa. It is remarkable and unique in that it offers support and a platform to young musicians, affording them an opportunity to not only make a living utilising their passion for music in a very competitive industry, but also to become invaluable mentors to other musicians.”
The Competition was initially sponsored by Sanlam and until 2010 known as the Sanlam National Music Competition. SAMRO came on board in 2011 and contributed immensely to the success of the competition until 2019. The competition is hosted by the Tygerberg Branch of SASMT. The optimal development of young musicians has always been a priority for Van der Spuy and he is the generous donor of the competition’s first prize bearing the name of his late mother, Johanna van der Spuy.
In her opening remarks the Chairperson of the SASMT Tygerberg, Hilda Boonzaaier, who is also chairing the organising committee, said the young talent represented at the competition is the result of many years of hard work, dedication, passion and discipline from all parties involved.
She further said “the momentum gained by this competition is of such a nature and magnitude that it sets the standard of music education on a national level.”
Boonzaaier also highlighted the role of teachers who inspire and teach the young competitors. “The SASMT strongly believes that there is an abundance of talent in our country and that this competition serves as an invaluable platform to cultivate it.”
34 young musicians were selected for participation in the four qualifying rounds. The competition is divided into four categories, namely Piano; Strings; Woodwind; and Brass and Other Instruments (Classical Guitar, Recorder and Percussion).
The 33rd annual competition was adjudicated by three highly acclaimed musicians and teachers.
Dr Catherine Foxcroft is a piano pedagogue from Grahamstown and currently Head of Department and Associate Professor at the Department of Music and Musicology the Rhodes University.
Ms Annamarie Gelderblom is a string specialist from Cape Town and Head of Preparatory School Music at St Cyprian’s School in Cape Town, where they promote a 21st-century approach to teaching and learning.
Mr Chad Hendricks enjoys exploring creative and artistic opportunities, while being involved in arts education at grass-roots level in both a full-time and advisory capacity. He is currently busy completing his Master’s degree in conducting.
The Hubert van der Spuy National Music Competition has undoubtedly proved its intrinsic value and status. The majority of the winners consistently achieve nationally and internationally. All the participants are afforded opportunities to hone their skills and to develop emotional intelligence.
Professor van der Spuy’s work ethic, integrity and charisma is legendary. His enormous contribution in so many areas was recognised in 2011 and 2012 when he was awarded the Huberte Rupert Prize by the SA Academy for Arts and Science; and an Honorary Licentiate in Music by Unisa.
He is an active member of the SASMT and was elected National President for four terms. He is Patron of the Atterbury National Piano Competition since 2018. At 80 years of age, he is still active as an adjudicator and acts as external examiner for prominent universities.
The optimal development of young musicians has always been a priority for van der Spuy and the establishment and continued success of this competition over more than three decades confirms his visionary role in the music life of South Africa.
8 finalists
Annabelle Chen, 11 years, Piano – JHB, Gauteng
Sameul Nel, 12 years, Piano –Walvis Bay, Namibia
Naomi van Straaten, 11 years, Piano –JHB, Gauteng
Eléna Monvoisin, 12 years, Piano – Cape Town, Western Cape
Zhoufeng Du, 13 years, Piano – Pretoria, Gauteng
Nina Cilliers, 12 years, Violin – Durbanville, Western Cape
Weiru Yan, 13 years, Piano – Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal
Ziné Mostert, 13 years, Piano – Randburg, Gauteng
