Voices of the Karoo | ARCO-PACT String Orchestras

“Voices of the Karoo”

The Kaleidoscope Music & Arts Festival opens not with arrival, but with emergence. Voices of the Karoo brings together more than one hundred young musicians—from Blink Begin Crèche, Prince Albert Primary School, Albert College, and Kweekvallei—many of whom are stepping onto a stage, or holding an instrument, for the very first time.

Over the past eighteen months, the ARCO-PACT Strings Project has provided free instrumental tuition to these learners, creating a space in which music becomes both a discipline and a language of connection. What we hear this morning is not simply repertoire, but the sound of learning in motion: early techniques taking shape, listening deepening, confidence growing.

The programme draws on Afrikaans folk song alongside South African musical traditions, from Sarie Marais and Suikerbossie to Pata Pata and Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika. Familiar melodies are reimagined for young string players, allowing cultural inheritance and new musical experience to meet. This is a concert rooted in access and shared opportunity, but also in something quieter: the act of beginning, together.

The ARCO-PACT Orchestras are directed by Principal Teacher Tiaan Uys and Assistant Teacher Aiden Stalmeester

Blink Begin Orchestra

Violin: Maxihano Bantom, Deidre Arens, Mikyle Boer, Clayton Arnold

Viola: Jonadine Nel, Lorenzo Lekay, Junaid Britz, Adrian Plaatjies

Cello: Tyrees Birch, Anthonisha Pienaar, Vernia Goliath, Raymark Loff

Prince Albert Primary School Senior Ensemble

Violin 1: Rhania Fransen, El-Chante Buis, Ugenay Claassen

Violin 2: Tenika Griebelaar, Evanique Abrahams, Chameeka Jonkers

Viola: Aulon Cupido, Vinechia Gurah

Cello: Fhaheem April, Embalienhle Zumani

Prince Albert Primary School Foundation Phase Ensemble

Violin: Shaydon Sass, Dueaime Coetzee, Leah Schippers, Amiley Pieterse, Elize Stevens, Skylar Philander

Viola: Jaywin Stevens, Luke Adams, Carley Kammies, Liam Pieterse* , Kihmal Isaias* , Zoe Claasens* , Charmahida Macdonald*

Cello: York Groenewald, Ray-Gene Botes, Quelynne Pienaar, Ismeaulin Delport, Bluedrein Prins*, Jumeka Prins*. *Former Blink Begin

Prince Albert Primary School Grade 3 Orchestra

Violin 1: Kendrick Koot (Concertmaster), Tatum van der Horst, Shakeema Conradie, Leigh-Jayne Koot, Amiah Loots

Violin 2: Lucadia Grieblaar, Beunique Jonkers, Charnique Gurah,

Viola: Cameron Vrie, Maudien Olivier, Vaden Hendricks, Mickaylen Sass. Marlon Myburgh, Luther Meintjies

Cello: Donhiqwin Plaatjies, Burmeekah Bosman, Mia Claassen, Mia-lee Smit, Adriano Syster, Clive van Rensburg

Contrabass: Matthew Sarcharias, Marcelo Hendricks, Shamieka Devinish

Albert College Strings

Violin: Bella Janse van Vuuren, Zende Botes, Thalia April, Rakeem Hannies+

Viola: Dayaan Moos, Melique Maans+Cello: Micah Schubert, Noah Appolis, Carla de Klerk

Contrabass: Dawid de Klerk, Mario van Vuuren+

+Kweekvallei additions

About the ARCO–PACT Strings Project

The ARCO–PACT Strings Project is a dynamic music education initiative based in Prince Albert in the Karoo, created through a partnership between the ARCO Project and the Prince Albert Community Trust. Established to expand access to high-quality music education in a rural context, the project provides free string tuition to young learners across Blink Begin Early Childhood Centre, Prince Albert Primary School, Kweekvallei, and Albert College.

Since its launch, the programme has grown rapidly, with over one hundred learners receiving weekly instruction on violin, viola, cello, and double bass. Teaching takes place every weekday and is supported by a team of dedicated educators, offering not only instrumental lessons but also musicianship, singing, ensemble playing, and orchestral experience.

At its core, ARCO–PACT is about far more than learning an instrument. It seeks to foster curiosity, discipline, collaboration, and a sense of possibility—creating a community of young musicians who are engaged, confident, and creatively empowered. The project draws on ARCO’s wider international network, connecting Prince Albert to a broader landscape of teaching, mentorship, and artistic exchange across South Africa, the UK, and beyond.

Rooted in the cultural life of the Karoo, the project does not impose an external musical identity, but instead uses the tools of string playing to reflect and reimagine local musical traditions. In doing so, it offers young people both a means of expression within their own community and a pathway to wider horizons through performance, collaboration, and continued learning.