The First Cape Town Woodwind Festival

The Rainbow Exchange NPC, in collaboration with the South African College of Music at the University of Cape Town (UCT), are thrilled to announce the first Cape Town Woodwind Festival, which will take place at UCT from 8–11 April 2025. This festival marks the beginning of a new tradition—one dedicated to fostering talent, expanding opportunities, and elevating South Africa’s presence in the global classical music landscape.

This exciting event will host 3 evening concerts, featuring performances by the South African College of Music lecturers, the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra’s Winds, and the UCT Woodwind Staff Showcase (UCT Wind Quintet) with guest artist, soprano Lynelle Kenned. These concerts will showcase an inspiring mix of classical and contemporary repertoire.

Central to this vision is the Cape Town Woodwind Festival Competition, providing young performers with a platform to develop their artistry and showcase their abilities. There are two categories namely a Junior category (High School students) and a Senior Category (age limit 28). Accepted instruments: flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, soprano, alto, baritone and tenor saxophones. The finalists will perform a short recital programme at the Baxter Concert Hall on Friday 11 April, 6pm. The competition will proudly present five newly commissioned solo works for flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, and bassoon, composed by esteemed South African composers, Lize Briel, Owen Dalton, Paul Hanmer, Andile Khumalo and Lise Morrison.

In addition to the competition, the festival features masterclasses with leading South African woodwind specialists, providing invaluable mentorship to the next generation of musicians. We are also thrilled to welcome experts such as Eustace Wilken of Yamaha for a special session on instrument care, and Petri Salonen of The Flute Workshop, who will be available for minor repairs and technical guidance. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with a diverse array of performances, educational sessions, and exhibitors, including AllMusic and The Flute Practice, ensuring a comprehensive woodwind experience.

The Cape Town Woodwind Festival is made possible through the generous sponsorship of the Rupert Music Foundation and various sponsors, partners, and supporters. We look forward to welcoming the talented musicians, educators, and you, the audience, who bring this vision to life.

Concerts – details, dates and tickets:

• 8 April 2025, 7pm: Opening Concert featuring the woodwind staff from the South African College of Music, UCT, accompanied by pianists François du Toit and Esthea Kruger. (Works by Poulenc, Watt, Deterling, Glinka, Hofmeyr, Fuchs and Saint Saëns).
• 9 April 2025, 7pm: CPO Concert featuring principal woodwind players of the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra. (Works by Ibert, Villa-Lobos, Françaix, Arnold and Rubtsov.)
• 10 April 2025, 7pm: UCT Woodwind ensemble with soprano Lynelle Kenned. (Works by South African composers: Watt, Hofmeyr and Hanmer)
• 11 April 2025, 6pm: Woodwind Competition Final Round showcasing the top finalists.

Tickets for all concerts can be purchased on Webtickets and at the door.

Cape Town Woodwind Competition:

The competition will be a highlight of the festival, offering young musicians an opportunity to showcase their talent.

Categories and prizes:

• Junior Category (High school students):
  • Overall winner: R10 000
  • Runner-up: R5000
  • Third prize: R3000
  • Best performance of a South African work: R1250
• Senior Category (Post-matric to age 28):
  • Overall winner: R20 000
  • Runner-up: R10 000
  • Third prize: R5000
  • Best performance of a South African work: R2500

(Additional prizes may be awarded at the discretion of the jury, as well as special prizes offered by Yamaha South Africa and Musicraft.)

Important Competition Dates:

• 8 and 10 April 2025: Semi-final rounds at the Baxter Theatre Concert Hall
• 11 April 2025: Final round at the Baxter Theatre Concert Hall

Masterclasses:

Festival participants and woodwind enthusiasts will have the opportunity to attend and engage in masterclasses led by woodwind performers. All masterclasses will be held at the SACM (UCT) and are open to the public.

 

For more information, please contact Fiona Grayer on concerts@uct.ac.za or call 021 650 2640.