The Pretoria Symphony Orchestra (PSO) recently brought joy to local seniors from various retirement homes with their enchanting Destination Vienna concert, performing incredible renditions of classical music greats.
Pretoria, South Africa (11 November 2024) – Some local oldies were whisked away to the enchanting city of Vienna through a classical musical experience by the Pretoria Symphony Orchestra (PSO).
In a beautiful gesture of community, the PSO extended an invitation to seniors from local retirement homes, ensuring they could experience a live symphonic performance. This initiative is just one of the many ways the orchestra demonstrates its commitment to making the joy of music accessible to everyone in Pretoria.
With a programme that celebrated the timeless genius of classical music greats, the talented musicians enchanted the audiences with their latest concert performance, Destination Vienna.
Held on Sunday, 3 November, at the ZK Matthews Hall at UNISA, the show featured Beethoven’s dramatic Coriolan Overture, Schubert’s lively Symphony No. 4 and Mozart’s elegant Horn Concerto No. 3.
“We are honoured to bring the transformative power of live classical music to our community. It’s an experience we want to share widely,” said Paul Vaandrager, representing PSO’s community outreach efforts.
With Destination Vienna, the orchestra not only brought beloved classical works to life but also fostered a sense of unity through music.
The concert was a celebration of classical music’s enduring power to connect and uplift—a memorable afternoon for Pretoria’s diverse community and a shining testament to the PSO’s dedication to enriching Pretoria’s cultural landscape.
For this performance, PSO’s resident conductor, Jaco van Staden, took on a different role as the French horn soloist for Mozart’s concerto. Meanwhile, Schalk van der Merwe took over conducting, bringing his own experience and dedication to the PSO.
“It’s wonderful for me to work with community players,” said Schalk van der Merwe, the concert’s conductor.
“They’re here for the love of music; they don’t get paid for it. It’s wonderful to see that they’re all this dedicated to bringing music to the community.”
The PSO, a community orchestra based in South Africa’s capital, is composed of dedicated amateur musicians who share a deep love for classical music.
These musicians, many of whom are here solely for the joy of playing, pour countless hours of practice into every performance, sharing the joy of music with the community and enriching the lives of others.
Sources: Pretoria Symphony Orchestra
Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google.
Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:
Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.
by 