Carpe Musicam! certainly has something for everyone
The Garden Routebased community orchestra and choir, Carpe Musicam!, has grown steadily in numbers, standard and general appeal to audiences.
To be able to attract an audience of around 400 on a Sunday afternoon at a venue 8km away from the nearest town is no mean feat, but this is what the orchestra and choir are achieving ever more regularly.
Also noteworthy is the larger number of younger audience members which fits the vision of bringing symphonic and choral music to as large an audience as possible.
Their latest programme, Potpourri, had its final concert at Laminin Agora Celebration Venue outside Hartenbos on Sunday, 25 September.
The heady mix of Kenneth Alford, Malcolm Arnold, Henry Mancini, John Williams, Camille Saint-Saens, Ludwig von Beethoven and others brought the large – almost capacity – audience to its feet more than once during the 90-minute performance.
From the first notes of The Bridge on the River Kwai March to the last triumphant chords of Gabriella’s Song, the audience was treated to an exciting and emotional ride with the only constant being the high performance standard of these “part-time” musicians.
Their next concerts will be in midDecember and have the theme, Christmas Around the World. Very young performers, a marimba group and special needs children will be taking part, accompanied by the new Carpe Musicam! Youth Orchestra.
For more details about Carpe Musicam!, their projects and concert dates, see www. carpemusicam.co.za.
For information about joining the Youth Orchestra, or any other CM! group, email elsabe@carpemusicam.co.za.