String Celebration: Music for All | Frank Pietersen Music Centre String Orchestras

Music for All both encapsulates the goal of Frank Pietersen Music Centre as well as the variety of music showcased at this concert. Learners from all walks of life coming together to create music for all - from Western Classical to Cape Goema, this concert is sure to get you dancing to the music of the soundtrack of your life.

This concert will showcase the Junior, Intermediate, and Senior String Ensembles of the Music Centre. Each Ensemble will perform on its own as well as joining as a combined String Orchestra at the end.

The music will be fun and enjoyable for everyone attending. To add to the String Ensembles, our percussion teacher Annemie Nel has written percussion parts tailormade for each specific percussion learner, adding that extra spice to our menu.

Our concert will open with the Junior Strings, a group of 20 members of all ages who are late beginners as well as very young beginners, all having fun together.

The Intermediate Strings are a very vibrant ensemble of 28 players. Their repertoire with its energetic rhythms and interesting harmonies is enjoyable to listen to and will remind many a concert attendee of bygone times.

The Senior String Ensemble is made up of 5 violinists directed from the piano by Hadley Duminy. Their programme is a Kaleidoscope of various well-known melodies, but also some exciting new repertoire played by the senior violinists of the music centre.

To end off the concert all the string players will combine in the 53+ member String Orchestra, performing three South African Medleys, and will have everyone walking out with a smile on their face and a melody in their heart.

Junior String Ensemble

Conductor: Inge Wittenberg

Violin: Denicke Jacobs (Grade 7), Thea Domingo (Grade 5), Marcille van der Horst (Grade 8), Aymee Pieters (Grade 5), Linathi Duiker (Grade 7), Mae Grove (Grade 4), Olivia Goldstone (Grade 4), Emily Martin (Grade 6), Aleeyah de Wee (Grade 5), Carlo de Swart (Grade 4), Aliya Julies (Grade 7)

Viola: Aydia Warnick (Grade 10), Taylor Hoorzuk (Grade 10)

Cello: Cassidy Page (Grade 8), Isabella van Zyl (Grade 8), Mayah van Heerden (Grade 4)

Percussion: Chelsea Bowes (Grade 5), Daniel Pietersen (Grade 5), Liam Pieters (Grade 5)

Intermediate String Ensemble

Conductor: Carin Thompson

Violin: Philip Bowes (Grade 8), Zoë-Lee Claassen (Grade 11), Caylah Cupido (Grade 9), Willistine Cupido (Grade 9), Angeli de Bruyn (Grade 9), Anshiney Engelbreght (Grade 9), Jody Gewers (Grade 8), Tia-Nay Josephs (Grade 9), Priya Jonkers (Grade 8), Kelly-Anne Mattheus (Grade 9), Jonnelle Muller (Grade 9), Emily Purchase (Grade 8), Lara Salies (Grade 8), Christie Smit (Grade 7), Vineto Witbooi (Grade 8), Arlo Venter (Grade 6)

Viola: Monica Pieterse (Grade 10), Handri van der Walt (Grade 8)

Cello: Marita du Plessis (Adult), Rowan Purchase (Grade 6), Daynah Lawrence (Grade 8)

Percussion: Joshua Gordon (Grade 6), Joshua Roziers (Grade 6)

Additional Intermediate Participants: Piper McIntosh (Violin, Grade 10), Leon Venter (Violin, Grade 10), Faith Konde (Violin, Grade 11), Courtney Daars (Violin, Grade 11), Hannah Purchase (Viola, Young Adult – also CPYO)

Senior String Ensemble

Conductor: Hadley Duminy

Violin: Matthew Lamprecht (Matric), Sadé Theunissen (Matric), Lea Prinsloo (Matric), Haylee Hendricks (Grade 10), Gabriella Lans (Grade 10)

Faculty and Staff

Carin Thompson – String Educator

Hadley Duminy – String Educator

Inge Wittenberg – String Educator

Amalia Reyneke – String Educator

Annemie Nel – Percussion Educator

Adele Newman – Accompanist

Matthew Perry – Double Bass Educator

Hendrik Marais – Principal

Melanie Pietersen – Administration

Additional Support

Winnie Duminy – Supervisor

Lana Duminy – Supervisor

Ananda van der Walt – Parent Support

Mervin Berends – Driver

Additional Driver

About the Frank Pietersen Music Centre - 56 Years of Musical Excellence

For over five decades, the Frank Pietersen Music Centre (FPMC) has been a beacon of musical creativity and learning in the Cape Winelands. What began as a small community initiative in 1970 has grown into a thriving institution that continues to nurture musical talent across all backgrounds and ages.

A major breakthrough came in 1992 when the Department of Arts and Culture provided funding for woodwind, brass, and string instruments, allowing the Centre to expand into full orchestral training. When Athlone Teachers' College closed in 1993, FPMC found a permanent home in the college building, where it continues to operate today.

On April 1, 1994, the Frank Pietersen Music Centre officially became a state institution with Vaughan Pietersen as principal. This marked the beginning of unprecedented growth and development.

Over the past three decades, we've expanded our programs, added specialized departments, and welcomed talented educators to our team. Our students regularly excel in external examinations, competitions, and festivals, while some have even participated in international exchange programs.

At the end of September 2024, Vaughan Pietersen retired after leading the Music Centre for 35 years and Hendrik Marais was appointed as the new Head of Frank Pietersen Music Centre.