Music competition’s acclaimed judge returns to his Stellenbosch roots

Stellenbosch-born pianist and composer David Earl is returning to his roots to join the panel of adjudicators for the National Youth Music Competition (NYMC).

Earl broadcast a piano recital for the SABC at age 16 and at 17 made his professional concerto debut with the then Cape Town Symphony Orchestra. He moved to London at age 19.

The competition, now in its 41st year, started on Monday 1 December and the final round will be determined at a gala concert at the Endler Hall on Saturday 6 December. It is determined over four rounds in five categories: piano, string instruments, woodwind instruments, brass instruments, and other orchestral instruments such as harp, percussion, and marimba.

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This year 11 pianists, five cellists, three saxophonists, two violinists, a flautist, a marimba player, and an oboist will take part. Over the five days of the NYMC, the panel will listen to nearly 200 works with a total duration of 25.25 hours.

They will individually score the 24 contestants, who compete for the coveted title, R180 000 prize money, along with gold, silver, and bronze medals.

It is the only competition in South Africa where the six finalists compete for top honours, accompanied by the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO).

Entrance to the first three rounds is free. Tickets from R110 for the final round’s gala concert are available from Quicket.