As COVID-19 continues to affect our nation and our personal lives, Stellenbosch University’s Music Department remains determined to give our students the best training and performing opportunities even at this difficult time. The Stellenbosch University Symphonic Wind Ensemble has been divided into smaller groups: woodwinds, brass and percussion ensembles, to allow for greater safety and social distancing on stage.

The Stellenbosch University Woodwind and Brass students will present a concert of works for smaller ensembles, as well as a reduced symphonic wind ensemble. The Brass Ensemble conducted by student Tyler Gibbons, perform Gershwin’s Summer Time from Porgy and Bess. Bridget Rennie-Salonen conducts the woodwind ensemble with Rossini’s Overture to the Barber of Seville arranged by Adam Boll. The combined ensemble, under the baton of Pamela Kierman, Reghardt Kühn perform several works from the symphonic wind band repertoire with student soloists: Tshepo Mosarwe, Drew Burton, Adrian Martin, David Cyster, Nathan Huysamen and Carin Donson.

The concert is dedicated to former conductor of USSWE (1991-1998), Mervyn Solomon who, sadly, passed away recently from complications of Covid-19. He took USSWE on three successful tours of England and Scotland in 1993, 1995 and 1997.