A Night with the Stars

Johannesburg Youth Orchestra collaborates with  Born to Perform in “A Night with the Stars”

In a dynamic celebration of young talent, the Johannesburg Youth Orchestra Company joins forces with Born To Perform for three shows only in “A Night with the Stars” at UJ Arts Centre Theatre in Auckland Park on Friday 27 May at 19h30 and Saturday 28 May at 14h30 and 19h00.

The Johannesburg Youth Orchestra Company (JYOC) is a full symphony orchestra and is without doubt, one of Jozi’s hidden treasures, made up of over 70 young musicians who have delivered quality performances since their inception over 20 years ago  and who continue to excel.

Add to this mix, the incredible talent of the Born To Perform youngsters who burst onto the entertainment scene following their successful inaugural Gala Concert last July, and you have a 2-hour concert that’s accessible and fun whilst giving the audience an experience of music and vocal excellence at its best.

Industry greats Samantha Peo and Timothy Moloi add their voices to further enhance the concerts as guest artists, thus ensuring a non-stop journey of pure delight for old and young.

 

Audiences will be treated to a diverse selection of hits from classic standards like The Greatest Love of All and The Impossible Dream to orchestral classics like Holst’s Jupiter and John Williams’ Olympic Spirit. Other instantly recognizable hits will include You’re The Voice, Radiohead’s Creep, Uptown Funk to the Labrinth/Emile Sandé massive hit Beneath Your Beautiful and a number of other fantastic surprises thrown into the mix.

Included in A Night with the Stars will be the exclusive premiere live performance of the Born To Perform star Marianthe Panas’s upcoming single Here I Am, written with Tree 63’s John Ellis, ahead of it’s official release in time for Youth Day Celebrations in June.

MC for the concerts will be another Born To Perform star, Isabella Jane and her “side-kick”, puppet Rosie, who shot to fame following her runner-up placing in SA’s Got Talent in 2015.

A Night with the Stars will be produced and directed by Maestro extraordinaire Bryan Schimmel and conducted by Eddie Clayton.

Says Schimmel; “I joined the Board of Directors of the JYOC a little over a year ago to be able to lend my experience and capabilities to this fantastic organisation and support the advancement of youth in the arts. My vision for  the 2016 A Night with the Stars  is to position the youth as the stars of the show showcased in a mind-blowing event that promises maximum entertainment, emotional impact and youthful energy.”

Schimmel continues; “When one thinks of a youth orchestra, it is easy to assume that they are not as good as a professional ensemble. Under the firm and nurturing hand of conductor, Eddie Clayton, the young musicians of the JYOC perform with a sense of musicianship, precision, tuning, style and experience comparable to any professional orchestra and I am thrilled to be working with them. I have also assembled a first class creative team of seasoned design and technical professionals who are all lending their expertise and experience to ensure  a spectacular event..”

Says Susan Rendall, Chief Executive Officer of JYOC;  “The 2016 A Night With The Stars will be staged at the UJ Arts Centre Theatre. We are delighted to have the use of this wonderful venue. As a resident company of the University of Johannesburg, we work closely with UJ Arts and Culture making this a fitting choice of auditorium for this year’s performance.

Operating in Soweto and Johannesburg, the Johannesburg Youth Orchestra Company (JYOC) is a centre of musical excellence in instrumental tuition. Responding to the needs of the youth in all communities, the JYOC is a meeting place for over 600 young people with musical aspirations. Almost 300 of the students are members of one of 10 graded ensembles and orchestras which cater for all levels of competence. Under the direction of Eddie Clayton, the Johannesburg Youth Orchestra has risen to extraordinary heights and continues to amaze all who hear them.

Born To Perform was created by Matthew Marinus and Gemma Donnelly after seeing a huge need in SA for the development of professional opportunities for talented children and teens. They strive to create Theatre, Music and Television platforms to showcase our amazing young SA talent.

A Night with the Stars stars the JYOC and Born To Perform, featuring Samantha Peo and Timothy Moloi and is being staged for 3 shows only at UJ Arts Centre Theatre (University of Johannesburg Kingsway Campus, Auckland Park) on Friday 27 May at 19h30 and Saturday 28 May at 14h30 and 19h00.

Tickets are R200 & R250 and booked through Computicket on www.computicket.com or 0861 915 8000.

Group Bookings of 10 or more tickets qualify for discounted rates of R185 and R235 and are also available through Computicket.

The Johannesburg Youth Orchestra Company is a Not for Profit Organisation, with these “A Night with the Stars” concerts being their main fundraising event for 2016.