Over the jam-packed holiday season, the yearly Swakopmunder Musikwoche returned to the Namib Primary School hall at Swakopmund.
Expectations were high for the well-attended event, which included outstanding performances at the coastal town.
The Bank Windhoek-sponsored festival captivated the audience with musical tales of love, hate, jealousy, war and victory.
The Youth Orchestra kicked off the concert with six pieces under the direction of Hendi Krog.
They performed ‘Rosamunde Overture’, by Franz Schubert, ‘March from Psalm 19’, by Benedetto Marcello and ‘Anchors Aweigh’ by Charles Zimmermann.
The Youth Orchestra also performed ‘Take Five’, a jazz standard composed by Paul Desmond.
‘Take Five’ was first performed in 1959 by the Dave Brubeck Quartet.
Frequently covered by various artists, ‘Take Five’ is the best-selling jazz piece ever and a Grammy Hall of Fame inductee.
The orchestra also performed ‘Sunrise, Sunset’, by Jerry Bock. The ‘Seraglio Overture’, by Amadeus Mozart, was also featured.
The work premiered in July 1782 at the Vienna Burgtheater, with the composer conducting.
“It was amazing to work with the children and every single one of them put so much effort into performing. I am proud of the Namibian youth who played in the orchestra to deliver this performance,” Krog says.
The Mascato and Kings Choirs also sang some songs during the Saturday concert, namely ‘African Sleep’, ‘!Gu Koro’, ‘Inachiche’, ‘Oh Happy Day’, ‘We Are Not Alone’, ‘O’Love,’ ‘Eto’, and ‘Be Still’.
IMPACTING LIVES THROUGH MUSIC
The Swakopmunder Musikwoche chairperson, Annett Kötting, says the festival annually offers classical music a platform and gives young musicians a voice.
“Music has the power to inspire, move us, and bring people together from all walks of life,” she says.
Kötting says after the Covid-19 pandemic, the event changed its format to accommodate young Namibian musicians up to the age of 25 only.
This year, 120 young musicians, most of whom are from Tsumeb, Otjikondo, Windhoek, Swakopmund and Oshikuku took part.
Naita Akwenye, who is from Oshakati and whose two daughters participated, says it was fulfilling to see her children play soothing music.
She says the event is an important platform for Namibian children to display their musical talent.
The Swakopmunder Musikwoche also allowed local teachers to work with young musicians.
Nicole d’Oloveria, first violin teacher, Jürgen Kries, second violin teacher, Faustinus Nuutushi, third violin teacher, and Andreas Wedeinge on flute, say the talent they nurture requires life skills, such as growth, discipline, commitment and dedication.
D’Oloveria, who has been part of the event since the age of seven, says every year is an amazing experience.
“It is good to see the progress the children make during the week and seeing them grow is fulfilling,” she says.
Kries says it is a privilege to take part in the event, which supports child development and tourism, every year.
Nuutushi, who joined the festival in 2004, says after only being able to watch it on TV, it fills him with pride to be part of an orchestra which supports Namibian children’s musical journey.
“Music can help the child perform well academically and socially,” he says.
Wedeinge says it is important that musicians get to play together, as this shows unity among Namibians.
Participants Relindis Shigwedha, Oscar Maria, Francis Katya, and Linus Leonard says they look forward to the event every year.
They say it was an opportunity to make new friends, connect with other Namibians and develop their musical knowledge.
On behalf of the participants, Shigwedha has encouraged the bank to keep supporting Namibian initiatives.
“Almost everywhere I go, I see what Bank Windhoek is doing for Namibians. The bank should keep doing this for our country,” she says.
Rio !Haoseb, who is part of the organising committee and has been involved in the event for the past 13 years, says being part of it makes him proud.
He says the bank’s support means a lot to the organising committee.
Erongo governor Neville Andre and Swakopmund chief executive Alfeus Benjamin, who attended the event, have thanked the bank for its support.
Bank Windhoek spokesperson Samuel Linyondi says the bank is delighted to have been part of yet another offering from the Swakopmunder Musikwoche.
“It was an amazing experience to see Namibian youth from across the country come and perform such beautiful music,” he says.
Kötting says the festival brings people together who communicate in a universal language.
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