When the time came to report back about the Yamaha Young Soloist Competition 2024, I was tempted to make use of modern technology and ask AI to help me write down my brief thoughts, but then it struck me that as a fellow musician there are no short cuts to be taken in this world of the creatives.
And so, I am happy to say these words are as genuine as the genesis of the competition.
What did we want to achieve with the competition – YMC 2024?
To reach the youth of our country in a different way than the other prestigious music competitions in SA, and so we set out to create and build something new.
The Team at Yamaha Music South Africa jumped into the deep end and started swimming, we had limited funds and even less experience or even knowledge, but somehow collectively we slowly built the blocks together and soon things started to take shape. We also had many friends in the industry upon whose expertise we could call.
We added two major dynamics to our competition
- Contestants do not have to be able to read music in order to enter the YMC, making it possible for anyone to enter, should they be confident in their performance.
- A live second round, hosted in all major cities in SA, allowed the contestants to perform the second round with their own Accompaniment / Backing Band.
It would be very easy to mention a multitude of highlights of the YMC, however I will mention but a few, knowing very well that the entire event was one big highlight for me personally, in fact, a dream come true.
Having so many entries from all over the country excited us in as much as Yamaha South Africa was able to build new relationships with musicians, young and old as well as with the many music institutions of learning. Some older relationships were strengthened in this process, and I would neglect my duties if I did not mention the great work done and the contribution made by our Chief Adjudicator, Dr. Roland Moses, for the YMC 2024. Roland pulled together a healthy group of adjudicators that covered the adjudication process from round one through to the final event at World of Yamaha in Johannesburg. He also arranged for the live second rounds to take place at various Universities across the country.
It goes without saying that the gala event became a shining example of what the heartbeat of this competition truly was when the very talented finalists stepped on the stage for their final performances. We were all so excited and happy with the result and, from the feedback we received, I am happy to report that the soloists enjoyed not only their journey through the competition but also the new friends made during the two days of rehearsals and performances. Ultimately music should bring people together as we consider it the universal language.
It was not an easy road, but then again, starting something new never is, and that is exactly why we do what we do as the greater Yamaha Music Family.
My biggest word of thanks goes out to the following people
- Robin van Rensburg (MD) for supporting THE YMC 2024 from the top of the company, proudly Bidvest.
- Clinton Waring (General Manager Yamaha Music) for believing in the dream, and the entire Music Team at World of Yamaha.
- Tracy Hilliar, the mother of the competition, without whom it would never have happened.
- Roland Moses and the entire team of adjudicators, thank you for all your hard work.
- The entire Marketing Team, for doing so much behind the scenes.
- Yamaha Gulf (YMGF) for financial Support and their ongoing support to the greater Classical Department. A special mention and thanks to our colleague Illya Fedorak.
- The Financial department and all admin related support.
- Every single Music Teacher who spends countless hours, days, months and years investing in the lives of these young musicians, my hat off to you all.
- The parents, for the commitment and support they give their children over the years, driving them to lessons, buying instruments and sometimes putting a little bit of pressure to get them to practice.
The biggest thank you ultimately goes to the contestants, from the youngest to the oldest, the least experienced to the most accomplished musicians, thank you..!
In closing, it would be fair to say that we have learned so much and realized that we needed to make many improvements to our competition. We do this gladly as we strive to build a music competition that we will be proud of as the Music Team at Yamaha SA, as we serve the greater music community in our country and the musicians of our future.
We are looking forward to seeing you all at YMC 2025.
With thanks,
Eustace Wilken