 Piano tuners tuning a Unisa piano for the music competition South Africa's Avigail Bushakevitz flies the flag high |
Music develops character and makes us stronger
In opening the 5th Unisa International String Competition, Prof Barney Pityana, Unisa's Principal and Vice-Chancellor, said that music is part of our human condition and it comes naturally.
"People sing in time of pain and sorrow. If you feel down, you sing a song that inspires and speaks to you," he said. He spoke of the power of music. "The tragedy of Haiti is the worst that can ever happen to humans. Azini, one of the Haiti survivors sang her way to her survival after nine days of being trapped," Prof Pityana said to the silent ZK Matthews Hall. He added that music sustained her and made her stronger. Music is a human characteristic. "There are people who are still trapped underneath wrecks in Haiti. They are singing, because it has become their defining character," he added.
Prof Pityana also praised Mr John Roos, Director of the Unisa Music Foundation, for his diligence in organising this international event.
Mr Bob Collymore, Chief Officer: Corporate Affairs, Vodacom Group Limited, said that they are proud to have been the main sponsor of both the Unisa International Competition and the National Competition. He expressed his delight at the high standard of music in both competitions. "Through the years, there have been some excellent performances in piano, voice and string, and we are confident that the participants' participation in this competition has been an important step in the development of their careers."
Collymore said that the National Competition has played an important role in helping young South African musicians gain the experience they need to compete at an international level. He stressed that Vodacom was pleased with the four South African compositions that were featured in the first round. Composers Bongani Ndodana-Green, Paul Hanmer, Matthijs van Dijk and Peter Louis van Dijk were commissioned by the South African Music Rights Organisation to compose four pieces. "It is gratifying that tonight’s participants will return home with an addition to their repertoires --- pieces that showcase our indigenous music."
Click here for the schedule of performances for round 3, which will take place on 30 and 31 January, as well as on 1 February 2010. |
