The Prestige Concert series event was held on Sunday (10/5) at Sekondêre Meisieskool Oranje at 15:00, described as a professional platform for student ensembles to gain essential experience on a high-level stage.

Dr Christelle Engelbrecht, programme director at Choral celebration network foundation, said the concert featured a wide range of performers, starting with the fundamentals group from the Botshabelo strings project, consisting of children as young as five and six years old.

These young musicians performed alongside more established groups, including the Free State youth symphony orchestra and Sinfonietta under the direction of Digaan Chabalala.

Other participating ensembles included the Free State youth wind ensemble, as well as the Oranje Meisieskool Sekondêre symphony orchestra, led by conductor Heinrich Lauterhan. This variety of performers highlights the developmental nature of the series.

Dr Christelle Engelbrecht, programme director at Choral celebration network foundation.Photo:Facebook

“The name prestige, I know it might sound deceiving, but in every single person and every single ensemble, we all aim and strive to present something prestigious,” said Engelbrecht.

A primary focus of the series is to identify and address the needs of music communities across different South African regions. Organisers have prioritised making the platform accessible to groups from under-resourced areas by providing world-class venues free of charge.

Attendees at the Prestige Series concert at Sekondêre Meisieskool Oranje. Photo supplied

The Bloemfontein concert was one of eight events taking place nationwide this year. According to Engelbrecht, these performances act as a foundation for the upcoming international choir and orchestra festival scheduled for August at Sun City, which will feature a panel of international jury members to evaluate the performers.

As the 2026 tour continues, the series aims to expand its educational outreach. The goal is to ensure music remains a universal language without geographic or financial barriers, allowing local ensembles to improve their skills in a professional environment.

With the Bloemfontein event concluded, the series moves forward, with the next instalment set to be hosted in the North West on 28 August.

“We will be back next year, bigger, better, with even more value add.” 

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OFM News /Refilwe Bekane dg