This year, the annual Youth Classical Concert celebrates its 55th year at Artscape on 5th September 2026 at 7pm. Twelve highly accomplished young classical music instrumentalists and singers, who successfully auditioned, will perform as soloists with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Brandon Phillips.
Presented by Artscape and the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO), supported by the City of Cape Town, this prestigious concert is a highlight on the classical music calendar. It serves as an important launching pad in performing with a symphony orchestra on a professional theatre stage and is a significant milestone in the careers of these young musicians.
The main audition criteria were that candidates had to be bona fide music students, perform at a very high standard, and reside or study in the Western Cape. The emphasis of the concert is a celebration of young musical talent and not a competition.
The choice of repertoire presented at the auditions was an important consideration, as the selected works together form the concert programme.
Beautiful concertos
Audiences will hear beautiful concertos by Ravel, Mozart, Shostakovich, Hofmeyr, Weber, Ibert, Khachaturian and Donizetti with arias by Saint-Saëns and Handel.
The soloists aged between 12 and 22 include: pianists Giorgia Ehlers (19), Alexander McIvor (18), siblings Xizhi Aiden Luo (15) and Weien Amy Luo (18). Raised in Lima, Peru, cellist Solange Rojas (22), marimba Kyrah Adams (20), clarinet Benjamin Monvoisin (12), euphonium Kumkani Kabane (20) and saxophone James Cilliers (20). Singers are Sopranos Phoebe Damons (20) and Sinesipho Tokwe (19), mezzo-soprano Lilitha Nkuku (20).
In preparation for the concert, each soloist receives comprehensive mentoring from Brandon Phillips. He is Resident Conductor of the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, Head of Woodwinds at the South African College of Music, University of Cape Town, and conductor of the UCT ensembles. He also served for many years as conductor of the Cape Town Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. This year marks the 11th Youth Classical Concert that Brandon Phillips will conduct.
Since the inception of the Youth Classical Concert, over 600 young musicians have had the opportunity of performing with the CPO. Many today are soloists or members of South African and international symphony orchestras and opera companies. This year a record number of 75 applications to audition were received.
The duration of this Concert is two hours including a 30-minute interval.
Ticket prices for Adults are R100, Pensioners, R50. Book through WEBTCKETS or
Artscape-Dial-Seat 021 421 7695. Block bookings 5 or more R80. Students & Scholars R50
Book with Artscape-Dial-Seat 021 421 7695. Age restriction five years and under.
Extraordinary talent, dedication
Adriaan Fuchs – CEO and Artistic Director of the CPO elaborates: Welcome to the 55th Artscape Youth Classical Concert, where we celebrate the extraordinary talent, dedication and promise of South Africa’s next generation of classical musicians.
For more than five decades, this cherished collaboration between Artscape and the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra has given outstanding young musicians the invaluable opportunity to perform as soloists with a professional symphony orchestra. For many, this concert marks an important milestone in their artistic journey.
Under the baton of Brandon Phillips, tonight’s concert brings together exceptional young singers and instrumentalists whose artistry, commitment and perseverance have earned them a place on the Artscape stage. We are honoured to celebrate the remarkable depth of musical talent that exists in South Africa.
This concert also reflects the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra’s enduring commitment to music education. Through our education and development programmes, more than 300 young people receive free instrumental and theory tuition, ensemble training and performance opportunities each year. Beyond these programmes, thousands more children and young people experience the power of live orchestral music through our schools concerts, community performances and outreach initiatives. Whether they go on to professional musical careers or simply carry a lifelong love of music into their communities, each contributes to South Africa’s cultural future.
We are deeply grateful to Artscape for its valued partnership, to the City of Cape Town for its generous support, and to the teachers, families and mentors whose encouragement has helped these young artists reach this stage.
Above all, we congratulate tonight’s soloists. They represent not only the future of classical music in South Africa, but also the extraordinary possibilities that emerge when talent is recognised, nurtured and given the opportunity to flourish. We wish them every success as they continue their musical journeys.
Entrants
Each year there are between forty to sixty entrants that participate in the auditions. This year there were 75 entrants.
Selection of final soloists
An adjudication panel assesses each performer with piano accompanist for the orchestra reduction. With so many outstanding young musicians auditioning, the challenge is not only to select the finest performers but also to create a varied and engaging programme of contrasting works that will appeal to a broad audience. Many more candidates are deserving of the opportunity than can be accommodated. Deciding whom to leave out is always the most difficult part of the process. While this inevitably brings disappointment, it is also part of the valuable learning experience gained through auditions and competitions. Ultimately the panel of adjudicators comes to an agreement and the concerts always prove to be very exciting and of an incredibly high standard.
The adjudicating panel this year comprised Conductor Brandon Phillips, Prof Nina Schumann – Head of Practical Music Studies, University of Stellenbosch, Sindile Patrick Tikolo – Associate Professor and Head of Vocal Division, South African College of Music, University of Cape Town, Azra Isaacs Sub principal violist at CPO. She was a soloist in the 2006 Youth Classical Festival, Marvin Weavers former CPO Youth Development & Education Co-ordinator and Project Manager for this concert.
Among past members of the adjudicating panel were Alastair Cockburn, Daniel Neal, Aviva Pelham, Ronnie Samaai, George Michie, Neil Robertson and Samantha Durrant, who was herself a soloist in the 2010 Youth Classical Concert. Their dedication, experience and commitment to the project inspired and supported the young musicians.
PERFORMANCE PROGRAMME 2026 –
- Saint-Saëns: Piano Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 22 – 1. Andante sostenuto
Giorgia Ehlers - Handel: “Tornami a vagheggiar” from Alcina
Sinesipho Tokwe - Handel: “È gelosia” from Alcina
Lilitha Nkuku - Mozart: Bassoon Concerto in B-flat Major, K. 191 – 1. Allegro
Kumkani Kabane - Hofmeyr: Concerto per Marimba e Orchestra d’Archi – 1. Fantastico
Kyrah Adams - Donizetti: “Quel guardo il cavaliere” from Don Pasquale
Phoebe Damons - Khachaturian: Piano Concerto in D-flat Major, Op. 38 – 1. Allegro ma non troppo e maestoso
Alexander McIvor
Total: 54 minutes
INTERVAL
- Saint-Saëns: Piano Concerto No. 5 in F Major, Op. 103 – 3. Molto allegro
Weien Amy Luo - Weber: Concertino for Clarinet in E-flat Major, Op. 26
Benjamin Monvoisin - Shostakovich: Cello Concerto No. 1 in E-flat Major, Op. 107 – 1. Allegretto
Solange Rojas - Ibert: Concertino da camera – 2. Larghetto
James Cilliers - Ravel: Piano Concerto in G Major – 1. Allegramente
Xizhi Aiden Luo …. End
Fine Music Radio will broadcast the concert live on 5 September 2026 from 7pm.
