ALL SYSTEMS GO FOR BIG FINALE

EXCITEMENT has reached fever pitch and it is all systems go for tomorrow’s final of this year’s National Youth Music Competition at the Hugo Lambrechts Auditorium in Parow.

The 19 finalists have been slugging it out since Tuesday – with the best among them taking to the stage tomorrow night.

Nine students from three universities have been serving as a shadow jury in the contest. Among them is 2016 winner, saxophonist Cameron Williams. All the jury members study music in the corresponding fields of the 19 contestants, namely piano, violin, cello, flute, clarinet and saxophone.

The annual competition, presented by the National Youth Music Foundation, was started 34 years ago by founder and chairperson, Michael Maas.

“This concept offers former contestants and emerging musicians the opportunity to discover the inner workings of the adjudicating process at music contests,” said Maas.

The 2015 winner and talented flautist, Sakhile Humbane, returns as guest soloist at tomorrow’s finalists’ gala concert.

The panel of adjudicators consists of Maas, Professor Ella Fourie, Vaughan Pietersen of Frank Pietersen Music School, professors Nina Schumann and Corvin Matei from Stellenbosch University, Khanyisile Mthetwa from Wits University, John Theodore, Polina Burdukova and Doctor Becky Steltzner from UCT.

* Tomorrow’s finals start at 7pm. Tickets cost R120 for adults and R90 for pensioners, students and pupils. Book at Computicket on 0861 915 8000, Shoprite and Checkers outlets, or online at www. computicket.com