Prof Gerrit Bon

Prof Gerrit Bon 

Oboist

(23 June 1938 - …???), Pretoria

After receiving his first music lessons from his mother, Gerrit Bon was a violin student of Harold Ketelbey for five years but, while still at school, he abandoned the violin and began to concentrate on the oboe under the guidance of Jos de Groen.

In 1957 he went to Holland where he continued his studies under Jaap and Haakon Stotijn. On his return to South Africa in 1958, he accepted a position as third oboist with the SABC symphony orchestra, but by 1961 he had been promoted to acting principal oboist of the orchestra, a position he permanently filled from 1962 to 1972. Gerrit Bon frequently played as soloist or in chamber groups, in radio broadcasts as well as in concerts. In 1972 he was appointed lecturer in woodwind instruments in the new music department of the Natal University. 

He gave the first South African performances of works by H.W. Henze and Penderecki.

Incomplete…

Source

Malan, Dr. Jacque P., ed. South African Music Encyclopaedia. Vol. 1. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1979, 207.