The Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra (JPO) opened its 2019 Education Concert series with a performance conducted by Eddie Clayton on January 18.

This will be followed by more JPO music education concerts on January 25 and on February 1, 8 and 15.

Bongani Tembe, the chief executive and artistic director of JPO, said, “The value of integrating music into the educational curricula of learners cannot be exaggerated. In this regard, the JPO is proud to be able to play a role in introducing music into the lives of tomorrow’s leaders.”

“Music is the world’s universal language. It connects people with each other from all walks of life across the globe,” Tembe said.

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“Music not only promotes a spirit of harmony and understanding among disparate communities, it also instils a sense of commitment and purpose in young people, enabling them to experience the joy of mastering the art of making music together, while also learning to appreciate the many levels through which it enlivens imagination and creative powers, qualities which enhance decision-making and so help to create society’s leaders of the future.”

“So it is of prime importance to the JPO that we continue to prioritise our education and development initiative, in taking our message to schools, thus ensuring that we invest in the future generations of musicians who will continue to carry the torch we so proudly bear today. In this light, we are delighted to align ourselves this week with the Vuyani Dance Theatre in presenting a renowned music educational work such as Sergei Prokofiev’s classic, Peter and The Wolf, as a means of introducing the various instruments of a symphony orchestra to young people through the medium of narrative.”

A symphonic fairy tale for children, Peter and The Wolf, was written by the great Russian composer in 1936.

The narrator tells a children’s story, while the orchestra illustrates it. It is Prokofiev’s most frequently performed work, and one of the most popular works in the classical repertoire. Each character in the story has a particular instrument and musical theme, making it easy for children to recognise the distinctive sound of each instrument in the orchestra.

The JPO has won wide appreciation for presenting its educational concerts, using carefully chosen, accessible repertoire to make the learning experience all the more enjoyable for its young audience members.

Admission to JPO’s education concerts is free and open to members of the community.

For further information visit www.jpo.co.za, call 011 484 0446 or email [email protected]