The South African Strings Foundation (SASF) is presenting the second in-person South African Strings Convention hosted in collaboration with the Odeion String Quartet and the Odeion School of Music at the University of the Free State (UFS)
The convention that will be taking place from 1 to 4 May, is themed “Synergy of Strings.”
This inspiring four-day event promises a vibrant celebration of string music, culture, and community.
The convention will include a diverse programme that includes six concerts, numerous masterclasses, interactive workshops, panel discussions and exhibitions offering a platform for learning, sharing, and collaboration.
One of the highlights of the upcoming convention is the final round of the SASF National String Quartet Competition, showcasing some of the nation’s most talented young performers as well as the world premiere of the commissioned work for this competition composed by Lise Morrison and Ivan Vukosavljevic.
The string quartets that will perform in the final round is the Ictus Quartet, the Elevator Quartet, Quattro Lumina, the University of Pretoria String Quartet and the University of Stellenbosch String Quartet. The competition will start on 2 May at 09:00 and it is open to the public.
Other featured performances include celebrated groups such as the Juliet String Quartet, East Meets West Ensemble, local group the Odeion String Quartet, and the Gqeberha Trio.
The final gala concert will showcase the world premiere of Franz Joseph Keyper’s Harp Concerto in G Major performed by soloist Marina Solomon and conducted by Leon Bosch. The concert will take place on Saturday, 3 May at 19:30.
Tickets are available on quicket.co.za. The six concert programmes are titled Serenade, Symbiosis, Synthesis, Synchronicity, Synergy and Soundscapes of Tomorrow.
Exhibitions will spotlight the string lutherie craftsmanship of Albertus Bekker, alongside a compelling string quartet-themed art exhibition curated by second year UFS art students – illustrating the synergy between visual and performing arts.
Founded in 2020, the SASF is a non-profit organisation committed to promoting orchestral, jazz, contemporary, and indigenous plucked and bowed string instruments within Southern Africa.
SASF serves as a vital platform for string performers, pedagogues, students, composers, researchers, and luthiers to connect, share knowledge, and collaborate.
Notable past initiatives include the inaugural South African Strings Competition in 2021, where the first prize – a custom-built viola by South African luthier Albertus Bekker was awarded to violist Lynn Daphne Rudolph.
This event was followed by the first in-person 2023 SA Strings Convention hosted in collaboration with the Music Department of the Nelson Mandela University.
As a result of the convention, the inaugural SASF composers’ competition was launched. The competition gave five South African composers the opportunity to create new works incorporating indigenous African instruments, forming a valuable addition to the South African string repertoire.
The composers also had the opportunity to workshop their pieces with the performers during the week of the competition and received a professional recording after the final concert.
Convention Programme
1 May
12h00 | Registration Opens
14h00 | Masterclass | Berthine van Schoor
14h00 | Masterclass | Leon Bosch
14h00 | Youth Workshop at the Musicon | Janna Kwheis & Odile Burden
15h30 | Lunch Concert: Serenade | Gqeberha Trio
16h30 | Workshop | East Meets West ensemble – Unveiling the Melody, Modes and Rhythm in Indian Music
16h30 | Workshop | Annamarie Gelderblom: My student is stuck in first position!
17h30 | Panel Discussion led by Emma Bekker | Lutherie as a profession and career option in South Africa
19h30 | Evening Concert: Symbiosis | Odeion String Quartet & OSM Camerata
2 May
9h00 | Competition | Final Round of the SASF String Quartet Competition
14h00 | Masterclass | Louise Lansdown
14h00 | Presentation | Anmari van der Westhuizen – Cross-cultural Sounds: South African Contemporary Solo cello works
15h00 | Lecture Recital | Historical Performance Practice: Antoinette Lohmann & Jan Beukes
15h00 | Presentation | Christiaan Carelse – Classical Guitar Composition for Non-Guitar players
16h00 | Masterclass | David Bester
16h00 | Presentation | Amalia Reyneke Teaching Movement and Posture: A Toolkit to Address Common Issues in Cellists
17h00 | Composers Forum | Arthur Feder, Lise Morrison, Ivan Vukosavljevic & Lance Phillip
19h30 | Evening Concert: Synthesis | Juliet String Quartet & East Meets West Ensemble
3 May
11h00 | Workshop | Orchestral Excerpts Preparation for SICMF 2025
11h00 | Presentation | David Bester: The Journal of Southern African Strings
13h00 | Lunch Concert: Synchronicity | Ensemble Fons Partita & Viola Ensemble
14h00 | Masterclass | Babette Roosenschoon
14h00 | Masterclass | Annien Shaw
15h00 | Masterclass | Odeion String Quartet
16h00 | Panel Discussion | South African music publication and the sustainability of local compositions: Annien Shaw, Babette Roosenschoon and Arthur Feder
19h30 | Gala Concert: Synergy | Convention Ensemble conducted by Leon Bosch, harp soloist Marina Solomon
4 May
9h30 | Teacher Forum | Improvisation in string pedagogy: musical confidence and creativity
10h30 | Odeion Foyer | Svend Christensen: a performance of Bernard Romberg’s cello Sonata in e min arranged for four celli featuring an ensemble of Svencino celli discussing the mechanics of sound
12h00 | Lunch Concert: Soundscapes of Tomorrow | Variety program performed by talented young students from across SA
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