International musicians for 9th Byo Music Festival

Showbiz Reporter
AMERICAN violinist Nokuthula Ngwenyama, German cello player Theo Bross and the Odeion String Quartet from South Africa are among the musicians performing at this year’s Bulawayo Music Festival.

Also participating in the largely classical music festival that runs from June 15 to 19 are United Kingdom pianists Coady Green, Leslie Howard and Christopher Smith.

Now in its ninth edition, the four-day festival, which is usually held every two years, will feature performances from locals The Heuglin Tenors from Harare and Impumelelo Shining Stars with schools also billed to perform.

Sponsored by NMB Bank, the festival’s main purpose is to bring pleasure through the performance of great music and to inspire local musicians of all ages.

“There’ll be about 10 classical music concerts during the festival as well as a series of DVDs commemorating the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death.

“The festival includes solo violin, cello and piano recitals. It provides an opportunity to experience performances that are rare in Zimbabwe, such as piano trios and quintets and string quartets, quintets and sextets,” said organisers in a statement.

In addition to the concerts, there will be workshops in which music students stand to benefit as they will be working with top class professional musicians.

NMB marketing manager Lindiwe Thebethebe said the bank’s regular sponsorship of the festival was inspired by its desire to promote the arts industry.

“Our hope is that our local musicians’ interaction with and exposure to the music at the festival will encourage them to broaden the scope of their own music and promote an interest in classical music.

“In many countries, the arts contribute to the national economy. We believe that the arts industry could do the same for us here in Zimbabwe,” Thebethebe said.

The first Bulawayo Music Festival took place in 1997 to mark the 60th anniversary of the Bulawayo Philharmonic Orchestra, the 20th anniversary of the National Symphony Orchestra and the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the railway in Bulawayo. Its success made the festival become a regular event.