The 35th annual Hubert van der Spuy National Music Competition was held at the Endler Hall in Stellenbosch from Monday 16 to Friday 20 September.
A total of 46 young musicians aged 7 to 14 were judged in three rounds, with eight finalists selected to mesmerise the audience and judges in the final round on Friday, which took the form of a concert.
This year’s competition marked the beginning of a new collaboration with Stellenbosch University (SU). It is organised by the Tygerberg branch of the South African Society of Music Teachers, with Hilda Boonzaaier as chairperson.
Prof Hubert van der Spuy, founder of the competition, is as passionate and enthusiastic as ever about the instrumental competition for young musicians launched in 1989. At the time he was head of the music department at the University of the Western Cape, where he inspired young people to become their very best. 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.
The competition has grown into the most prestigious of its kind in South Africa and Namibia.
Van der Spuy is legendary for his remarkable work ethic, his integrity and charisma. His enormous contribution in so many areas was recognised in 2011 and 2012, when he was awarded the Huberte Rupert Prize (SA Academy for Arts and Science) and an Honorary Licentiate in Music (Unisa).
In March last year he was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 13th kykNET Fiëstas. Last October North West University bestowed an Honorary Doctorate on him.
Van der Spuy is still active as an adjudicator and acts as external examiner for prominent universities.
In the end pianist Samuel Nel was crowned the overall winner, walking away with cash and several other prizes.
This was the fourth year the 14-year-old from Walvis Bay, Namibia, participated in the competition. He won the Johanna van der Spuy Memorial Prize (R15 000), a gold medal plus an invitation to perform as soloist with the Stellenbosch University Symphony Orchestra at the competition’s opening ceremony next year. He may also be invited to the Hugo Lambrechts Concerto Festival in 2025.
The teenager also won the prize for the best performance of a Baroque work in the first round, the best performance of a Romantic work in the third round, the piano category prize as well as the best performance of a South African composition.
Rondebosch resident Haotian Mike Yang (12) was the runner-up and silver-medal winner. The pianist won a cash prize as well as the prize for best performance of a Classical work in the second round.
Eleven-year-old pianist Agnes Huang from Johannesburg placed third, winning cash and the bronze medal.
At the awards ceremony on Friday night Boonzaaier was presented with honorary membership of the South African Society of Music Teachers for her contribution to music education in South Africa. In her address Boonzaaier referred to the number of entries received for this year’s competition and the diversity of instruments entered from across South Africa and Namibia.
“We are also very thankful for our new collaboration with the SU music department, the place where musicians and teachers of the future are being educated. The role of teachers can never be underestimated because they nurture these talented budding young musicians. Teachers make little ones count. They inspire and work tirelessly to teach our young competitors. We salute you all.”
