The 2nd annual Symposium of South African Composers (SoSAC) will take place from 9-13 September at the US Konservatorium in Stellenbosch. This unique event brings together composers, music creators, sound artists, and educators to share and celebrate contemporary South African music across a wide range of genres. Currently, it is the only event of its kind in South Africa.

The SoSAC is a project of SAComposers, an organisation that works within South Africa to connect performing artists with music creators. The symposium week includes 14 sessions and events, daily workshops, masterclasses, interactive sessions, and evening concerts with guest artists. Internationally acclaimed participants include organist Roshan Chakane and saxophonist Naomi Sullivan.

The symposium stands out for its inclusive approach, fostering collaboration across South Africa's rich musical heritage. Morning sessions will focus on individual lessons and masterclasses with renowned South African composers, including guest composer Clare Loveday. Afternoon sessions feature interactive workshops on African Music with Ncebakazi Mnukwana, Jazz arrangement and composition with Ramon Alexander, contemporary pipe organ practice with Roshan Chakane, and choral music with Aurum Cantores.

Evening concerts will showcase performances by the US Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Mizar Trio, a festival orchestra supported by Mzansi Philharmonic, guest artists, and international award-winning composer Lize Briel. The symposium will be opened by multi-instrumentalist-composer and producer Anthonie Jansen van Rensburg, at the Oude Leeskamer with support from the Jannie Mouton Foundation.

Dr. Antoni Schonken, symposium convenor, remarked, "South Africa is a place of incredible diversity and cultural innovation, and increasingly artists are discovering new and uniquely local practices through collaboration and exchange. Our aim with the symposium is to foster and further strengthen these exchanges, and bring the full diversity of new South African music to audiences in an enjoyable and accessible format."

Arthur Feder, head of SAComposers, added, "The prime objective of SAComposers is to foster relationships and build connections between composers and performers...to create spaces where learning from and about each other is open and welcoming. Our symposium is our flagship project, and I think it addresses our directive perfectly, growing and evolving year after year."

Prof. Nina Schumann, founder and artistic director of the Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival, expressed her excitement, "It is wonderful to see that for the second year running, SoSAC will again be held at the Department of Music at Stellenbosch University. The department has already made its mark on the national landscape with projects such as the piano symposium and the flagship SICMF. What is particularly exciting is that SoSAC continues a bold tradition of innovative thinking coupled with creative expression."

Tickets for individual concerts are available at R165 for general admission, R125 for pensioners, and R60 for students. Festival passes, which provide access to all events and sessions, are priced at R990 and R490 for students. Tickets can be purchased at Webtickets.co.za. 2024 SYMPOSIUM OF SOUTH AFRICAN COMPOSERS (webtickets.co.za)

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