Introduction
Until 2019, the SICMF had run for a 10-day period in the month of July each year since its inception in 2004. Due to Covid 19, the SICMF had no choice but to cancel both the 2020 and 2021 festivals. In the months preceding the 2022 SICMF, great uncertainty as to the format thereof prevailed with the final lifting of public gathering restrictions ultimately announced just a few days (and taking effect just one day) before the start of the 2022 SICMF. Whist still acutely aware of Covid 19, the 18th SICMF took place from 30 June to 9 July 2023, unaffected by Covid 19 restrictions that had influenced student and public attendance in 2022. The 19th SICMF took place from 5 to 14 July 2024.
Personnel/Participants
The 2024 SICMF faculty comprised 32 teachers/performers, all of whom enjoy an international profile and some of whom represent more than one nationality through citizenship, domicile (or place of work) or country of birth:
FSO conductor – Michael Repper (USA)
FCO conductor – Simeone Tartaglione (Italy/USA)
Violin: Andrey Baranov (Russia/Switzerland), Daniel Rowland (Holland/UK), Nicolas Dautricourt (France), Madeline Adkins (USA), Anna Vasileva (Russia), Suzanne Martens (RSA), Farida Bacharova (RSA/Russia)
Viola: Jennifer Stumm (USA/Germany), Maya Egashira (Japan/Mozambique), Xandi van Dijk (RSA/Holland/Germany)
Cello: Maja Bogdanović (Serbia/France), Boris Andrianov (Russia/USA), Peter Martens (RSA/Belgium)
Bass: Mariechen Meyer (RSA)
Flute: Ekaterina Kornishina (USA)
Oboe: Dwight Parry (USA)
Clarinet: YaoGuang Zhai (USA)
Bassoon: Ivy Ringel (USA)
Trumpet: Marco Silva (Portugal/Switzerland)
French horn: Geoffrey Pilkington (USA)
Trombone: Mark Hampson (USA/Spain)
Piano: Nina Schumann (RSA), Emanuil Ivanov (Bulgaria), Megan-Geoffrey Prins (RSA)
Percussion: Jauvon Gilliam (USA)
Saxophone: Liam Burden (RSA)
For the first time in the history of the SICMF, a sizeable assistant faculty was engaged.
Conductors: Damian Philander, Lesedi Sibanda
Bassoon: Caron Tremble (RSA)
French horn: Shannon Thebus (RSA)
Trombone: Andrea Bolocco (Italy/RSA), James George (RSA)
The assistant faculty integrated into the student orchestras and ensembles providing support where needed. The assistant faculty members were assigned coaching duties alongside the ordinary faculty members. Whist “faculty” in the context of Stellenbosch University’s Music Department ordinarily refers to the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, the word is used here to refer to the artists that make up the SICMF performing and teaching staff. See definitions 3a, b & c @ https://www.merriamwebster.
com/.In selected previous years, the SICMF engaged just a single assistant faculty member.
243 students participated in SICMF 2024. These included 9 from Namibia, 3 from Germany, 3 from the USA, 2 from the UK, 2 from Slovenia, and one each from Mozambique, Nigeria, Croatia, Afghanistan, and Brazil. The rest of the participants (208) were from South Africa. There were 72 violinists, 15 violists, 28 cellists, 6 double bassists, 17 flautists, 14 clarinetists, 3 English horn, 8 oboists, 6 bassoonists, 19 trumpeters, 9 trombonists, 8 French horn players, 8 tuba players, 3 Euphonium players, 30 pianists, 9 percussionists, 9 saxophonists and 2 harpists. The number of instrumentalists exceeds the total number of student participants, because some students entered more than one instrument. In 2004, one single participant was from a previously disadvantaged ethnic group. In 2013, 29% of the participants were from previously disadvantaged communities. In 2023, 146 of 257 (57%) participants were from the previously disadvantaged ethnic groups. For the first time in 20 years of existence, the SICMF exceeded the 50% threshold with regard to the participation of previously disadvantaged student participants. In 2024, 123 participants (50,6% of the total) were from the previously disadvantaged ethnic groups. The SICMF continues to make a positive contribution to Stellenbosch University’s transformation agenda, and this is being showcased on a most visible public platform.
Bursaries
159 Bursary requests received – 43 rejected – 75 full bursaries granted – 34 partial bursaries granted.
Total value of bursaries granted (in terms of revenue lost through the non-payment of student fees by bursary recipients): R571 400 (R422 400 in 2024)
Activities
- 14 Student Ensemble Concerts (Fismer Hall)
- 9 Public Master Classes (Fismer Hall)
- 5 Invited Student Group Concerts (Fismer Hall)
- 7 Faculty Concerts (Endler Hall)
- 4 Student Orchestral Concerts (3 in the Endler Hall and one at the
Klapmuts Primary School) - 5 “in Conversation with” lecture/interviews (Jannasch Hall)
- 2 lectures & 1 panel discussion
- 3 Formal receptions (One in the Behrens Foyer, one VIP sponsor’s
reception in front of the Fismer Hall and the other in the Fismer Hall) - 1 foyer concert – SICMF Saxophone Choir (The Saxophone Choir also performed as a curtain raiser at the Klapmuts Primay School)
102 student ensembles received 3 coaching sessions each from 3 different faculty members, who also gave private lessons and additional master classes at the request of individual students. The community concert at the Klapmuts Primary School was a great success in terms of the opportunity created for the members of the Festival Concert Orchestra as well as the local community. The SICMF Saxophone choir
also performed at this concert. Audience attendance figures were not recorded as there were no tickets (free entry). The Festival Director was in attendance and estimated around 120 audience members, considerably fewer than in 2023, the drop in numbers possibly because of inclement weather and the fact that the 2023 performance was backed by the New Apostolic Church.
The SICMF again engaged the local boutique audio/video tech company DPK to handle the live streaming of all the evening concerts. In addition to a great selection of angles and close-ups on stage, a seven-camera setup allowed for foyer interviews with our livestream presenter, John Woodland in the interval as well as a roving camera to interview audience members. A backstage camera enhanced the experience for online viewers who were able to tap into the vibrant atmosphere, backstage, in the auditorium, and in the foyer.
Concert Attendance
- In 2023 the total income from Webtickets, box office and programme sales was R330 650. The ticket
prices for the first 6 evening concerts rose from R140/R175 in 2023 to R150/R195 in 2024. The price of tickets for the last 4 evening concerts rose from R150/R205 in 2023 to R65/R230. - In 2024 the total income from WebTickets and box office was R308 566. Despite the higher ticket prices, the concerts income was lower than in 2023.* Lower concert attendance could be attributed to the worst weather the SICMF has ever experienced.
- In 2024 in addition to the ‘bums on seats’ in the Endler Hall, the live internet streaming saw an
7 865 additional views from 86 countries for a total of 1497,4 stream-hours.
Since 2006, the third year of the SICMF, its cost centre within the Stellenbosch University financial system
enjoyed a 0% levy status with regard to all third-stream income. For amongst other reasons, this exemption could in recent years be justified by the over R3 million in Advertising Value Equivalency that the SICMF generates annually for Stellenbosch University. However, austerity measures that came into effect in 2017/2018 decreed that the SICMF would lose this status and would be liable for a 17% levy (referred to as ICRR – Indirect Cost Recovery Rate – within Stellenbosch University) as of 2019. The ICRR, now 25% is applicable to sponsorships and earnings (not donations) and amounted to a total of R99 582 this year.
The table above represents our financial contributors only and excludes sponsorship in kind as well as income from concerts and participant fees. Participant fees, and additional fees charged for accommodation and transport brought in an additional R785’963.The SICMF charged R100 per person per trip for participants requiring transport to and from CT International Airport. Transport fees were waived for students affiliated to invited student groups. Exact figures including expenditure and income are available upon request. This is the figure generated by the new Stellenbosch University online finance system on 7 Sept 2023. The old finance system was rendered defunct in mid-July and the new one brought online on 1 August. The switch over (and dormant period between the curtailment of the old and introduction of the new systems) severely impacted the payment of invoices and faculty honoraria. As a result, not all the SICMF sponsorship/donations were registered in the SICMF cost centre by 7 Sept, meaning the total ICRR deduction will ultimately be more than R99 582.
Marketing and Publicity
The 2024 Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival executed a highly successful media campaign that reverberated across traditional and digital platforms, significantly enhancing its visibility with special attention given to diversity across a wide spectrum of target audiences. Harnessing the potential of the Stellenbosch University’s various social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and the far-reaching audiences of the SU Konservatorium and SU Events Calendar Newsletters and emailing lists, the festival generated immense engagement and excitement, expanding its reach far beyond the
event’s dates. Simultaneously, through the livestreaming of its events, the festival captured a global audience via YouTube and Facebook, not to mention the livestreaming as a platform for sponsor advertising as well.
To enhance its media presence and effectively engage commercial audiences, the SICMF Public Relations and Communications Officer and Festival Director collaborated with seasoned commercial music publicist, Liny Kruger from LK Mediabook, who brought her expertise to bear in navigating the music media landscape. This strategic partnership not only enriched the festival’s reach but also heightened its appeal to a wider demographic, solidifying its position as a cultural celebration accessible to all. The approach was both comprehensive and inclusive, and included digital media platforms, newspapers and print, radio (both local stations and national), and television and spanning from high-end and niche publications to community newspapers, ensuring that the festival’s message resonated with a broad cross-section of society. Consequently, the 2024 Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival’s media campaign was a resounding success, fostering inclusivity and capturing the hearts and minds of music enthusiasts across the spectrum. As in 2023, the 2024 SICMF secured prominent slots on national South African television, on the diverse and popular channels of SABC3 and kykNET, amplifying its presence and influence across the country. Being featured on shows like Expresso Breakfast Show also showed the interest of a younger audience – a demographic the SICMF is excited to consciously nurture in future.
Prof Thuli Madonsela and her delegation from the SU Centre of Social Justice again attended selected
performances.
Herewith a summary of the SICMF generated media:
Newspapers and Magazines:
Die Burger – Thurs 6 June – Article to announce the festival on Arts page.
Musiek van Kamerfees vul eersdaags Stellenbosch se lug | Netwerk24
Die Burger – Thurs 14 June – Article focusing on the SICMF 2024 highlights.
https://www.netwerk24.com/netwerk24/kunste/musiek/hoogtepunte-om-na-uit-te-sien-op-kamermusiekfees-20240612
Die Burger – Thurs 20 June – Article focusing on the SICMF programme on Arts page. (in print only)
Die Burger BY – Sat 6 July – Article featuring Nina Schumann by Murray La Vita.
https://www.netwerk24.com/netwerk24/stemme/profiele/nina-schumann-ek-het-parkinsons-maar-sal-blyspeel-20240705
Eikestadnuus – Thurs 13 June – General article on Diary page.
https://www.netwerk24.com/netwerk24/za/eikestadnuus/nuus/kamermusiek-sal-bekoor-20240612-2
Eikestadnuus – Thurs 21 June. – Article on SICMF Social Cohesion.
https://www.news24.com/news24/community-newspaper/eikestadnuus/using-chamber-music-as-the-greatequaliser-a-vehicle-for-social-cohesion-20240620
Eikestadnuus – Thurs 28 June – Diary article featuring SICMF.
https://www.netwerk24.com/netwerk24/za/eikestadnuus/nuus/dorpskalender-van-kamermusiek-tot-ruk-enrol-heerlike-etes-en-wyn-20240628
Bolander – Thurs 20 June – General article on Diary page.
https://www.bolanderlifestyle.co.za/entertainment/stellenbosch-internasionale-kamermusiekfees-by-endlerdb966d81-732b-4b22-a05e-17ebd6772e55
Bolander – Thurs 2 July – Article featuring Michael Repper.
https://www.bolanderlifestyle.co.za/news/festival-presents-international-conductors-and-musicians-848b4538-5a6c-455d-99f6-ddc6168f655f
Bolander – Thurs 9 July – Article featuring the free concert at Klapmuts.
https://www.bolanderlifestyle.co.za/news/festival-concert-orchestra-host-free-community-concert-ed778eab-68b5-4cf3-83f9-ce63e07a0309
Paarl Post – Thurs 13 June – General article on Diary page.
https://www.netwerk24.com/netwerk24/za/paarl-post/vermaak/geniet-fees-van-kamermusiek-20240612-2
Paarl Post – Thurs 9 July – Article featuring the free concert in Klapmuts.
https://www.bolanderlifestyle.co.za/news/festival-concert-orchestra-host-free-community-concert-ed778eab-68b5-4cf3-83f9-ce63e07a0309
CapeTowner – Mon 8 July – General SICMF feature.
https://www.capetowner.co.za/entertainment/international-stars-at-chamber-music-festival-in-stellenbosch-458a8b98-e46a-480b-91c2-1dc4c8c89dbe
Atlantic Sun – Mon 8 July – General SICMF feature.
https://www.atlanticsun.co.za/entertainment/international-stars-at-chamber-music-festival-in-stellenbosch-458a8b98-e46a-480b-91c2-1dc4c8c89dbe
SouthernSuburbsTatler – Mon 8 July – General SICMF feature.
https://www.southernsuburbstatler.co.za/entertainment/international-stars-at-chamber-music-festival-instellenbosch-458a8b98-e46a-480b-91c2-1dc4c8c89dbe
AthloneNews – Mon 8 July – General SICMF feature.
https://www.athlonenews.co.za/entertainment/international-stars-at-chamber-music-festival-in-stellenbosch-458a8b98-e46a-480b-91c2-1dc4c8c89dbe
SouthenrMail – Mon 8 July – General SICMF feature.
https://www.southernmail.co.za/entertainment/international-stars-at-chamber-music-festival-in-stellenbosch-458a8b98-e46a-480b-91c2-1dc4c8c89dbe
Vukani News – Mon 8 July – General SICMF feature.
https://www.vukaninews.co.za/entertainment/international-stars-at-chamber-music-festival-in-stellenbosch-458a8b98-e46a-480b-91c2-1dc4c8c89dbe
Constantia Bulletin – Mon 8 July – General SICMF feature.
https://www.constantiabergbulletin.co.za/entertainment/international-stars-at-chamber-music-festival-instellenbosch-458a8b98-e46a-480b-91c2-1dc4c8c89dbe
Northern News – Mon 8 July – General SICMF feature.
https://www.northernnews.co.za/entertainment/international-stars-at-chamber-music-festival-in-stellenbosch-458a8b98-e46a-480b-91c2-1dc4c8c89dbe/
Tygerburger – Thurs 30 June – General article on Diary page. (in print only)
Tygerburger – Thurs 4 July – Article featuring Michael Repper. (in print only)
Digital/Web Features:
Maroela Media:
https://maroelamedia.co.za/vermaak/musiek/us-studente-in-die-kollig-tydens-die-kamermusiekfees/
Stellenbosch Monitor:
https://www.stellenboschmonitor.com/2024/06/05/sikmf-net-om-die-draai-kry-nou-jou-kaartjies/
SARIE:
https://www.netwerk24.com/sarie/bekendes/het-jy-gehoor/n-grammy-bekroonde-dirigent-by-vanjaar-sestellenbosch-internasionale-kamermusiekfees-20240703
SAMusicZone:
https://samusiczone.co.za/sicmf-educational-festival-unparalleled-offering/
WhatsoninCapeTown:
https://whatsonincapetown.com/event/stellenbosch-chamber-music-festival/
Lifebrands:
https://lifebrands.co.za/events-experiences/stellenbosch-international-chamber-music-festival-sicmf-2024
LITNET:
https://www.litnet.co.za/persverklaring-n-dirigent-met-n-grammy-toekenning-agter-sy-naam-by-vanjaarsesikmf/
LITNET:
https://www.litnet.co.za/persverklaring-die-stellenbosch-internasionale-kamermusiekfees-n-onvergelykbareopvoedkundige-aanbod/
LITNET:
https://www.litnet.co.za/persverklaring-die-stellenbosch-internasionale-kamermusiekfees-sikmf-5-tot-14-julieus-konservatorium-stellenbosch/
WeekendSpecial:
https://weekendspecial.co.za/ready-world-stars-at-sicmf-2024/
BSharpEntertainment:
https://bsharp-entertainment.com/stellenbosch-international-chamber-music-festival-sicmf-2024/
VisitStellenbosch:
https://www.visitstellenbosch.org/event/stellenbosch-international-chamber-music-festival/all/
EatPlayDrinkCapeTown:
https://www.eatplaydrink.capetown/play/stellenbosch-international-chamber-music-festival-2024-in-july/
THESTRAD:
https://www.thestrad.com/playing-hub/the-warmest-welcome-in-the-world-daniel-rowland-and-majabogdanovi-on-the-stellenbosch-international-chamber-music-festival/18250.article
StellenboschVisio:
https://www.stellenboschvisio.co.za/the-stellenbosch-international-chamber-music-festival/
UndergroundPress:
https://www.undergroundpress.co.za/news/music/stellenbosch-international-chamber-music-festival-2024-dates-highlights
SAVENUES:
https://www.sa-venues.com/events/westerncape/stellenbosch-chamber-music-festival/
NOSYROSY:
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/nosy-rosy-403b4621_stellenbosch-international-chamber-music-activity-
7209102667346829312-dErP
THESTLLENBOSCH:
https://thestellenbosch.co.za/2024/05/30/art-music-and-culture-whats-happening-in-stellenbosch-in-2024/
InsideGuide:
https://insideguide.co.za/cape-town/best-festivals/
THENEWSPAPER:
https://thenewspaper.co.za/stellenbosch-chamber-music-festival-showcases/
Radio Interviews and Special Features:
FMR – Mon 10 June 12h00 – Telephonic interview with Nina Schumann.
FMR – 21 June 12h00 – Telephonic interview with Peter Martens.
Cape Talk – Tues 2 July 14h35 – Telephonic interview with Peter Martens.
RSG – Terrence April interview with Nina Schumann – https://www.rsg.co.za/rsg/omny/stellenboschinternasionale-kamermusiekfees-2024/
SICMF details were also sent to the following radiostations for mentions in their events diaries:
KFM, MFM, Radio Helderberg, GHFM, HeartFM, Bush Radio, Radio Tygerberg, PaarlFM, Smilefm.
FMR – SICMF bought promo package with interviews that featured Peter Martens and Nina Schumann. This included a 30 sec radio ad aired copious time over a period of 6 weeks, several other interviews, mentions in FMRs Opus magazine, a competition and dedicated CD of the week tag lines.
Television:
Expresso SABC 3 – SICMF live performances on Monday 24 June between 06h00 and 09h00.
‘The Swan’ by Camille Saint-Saëns | Nina Schumann and Peter Martens https://youtu.be/t9-FD-YaCoU
Super Mario Bros Duet | Andrea Balacco and James George https://youtu.be/hhJ4jsyueY4
Felicity’ by Premeru | Shannon Thebus, Andrea Balacco and James George https://youtu.be/Yhw5l8ZVFL8
A song for Japan | Andrea Balacco and James George https://youtu.be/jWuTP4jtIbM
‘The Flight of the Bumblebee’ | N Schumann, P Martens, S Thebus, A Balacco and J
George https://youtu.be/5rXo73Zxg8A
FIESTA kykNET: Festival coverage for special episode – broadcast date 25 August.
For the preceding month, and intensively during the SICMF, a dedicated social media officer posted content to Facebook, Instagram and Twitter
Flags and banners:
A prominent visual branding presence was visible leading up to, and during the festival period in and around Stellenbosch: An advertising banner (8m x 1m) was hung on the Konservatorium building along a purple “red” carpet. Two banners (7m high) were hung from the organ in the Endler Hall itself. A set of 30 flags were mounted in and around busy areas of Stellenbosch. 300 posters were printed and displayed on lampposts around Cape Town, Somerset West and Stellenbosch. 750 programmes were printed in which the sponsor’s logo and selected donors’ identities appeared. This info was also displayed on TV screens in the Behrens foyer during the festival.
Conclusion
Student participant numbers were down by 14 since the previous SICMF in 2023. Unfortunately, the South
African school and university holidays are still not aligned since the Fees Must Fall protests of 2016, meaning that the SICMF period overlapped with school term time. This may well have influenced the number of schoolgoing learners attending the SICMF. It must also be noted that whereas the SICMF seems to be the festival of choice for many SA music students, MIAGI and the SANYO (neither of which clashed with the 2024 SICMF) also offer courses that may or may not influence the number of SICMF attendees.
The Rupert Music Foundation made the unprecedented gesture of a three-year commitment (R1,2 million per year for 2019, 2020 and 2021 respectively). 2020 and 202I’s donations were deferred to 2022 and 2023 to accommodate the Covid years, but, had it not been for Covid 19, the SICMF would have already been in a new three year funding cycle so the trustees of the RMF generously upped the 2023 donation to R1,4 million and pledged the same for 2024 and 2025 respectively. Standard Bank, the first corporate sponsor of the SICMF, decreased its sponsorship from R250 000 in 2023 to R100 000 in 2024. Art Mentor Foundation, Lucerne, came on board again with a significant Euro donation after an absence of seven years. Of great significance was the 20 000 Euro grant from the Ernst von Siemens Foundation in Switzerland. The Ernst von Siemens Foundation supports new music specifically and their presence as a financial supporter of the SICMF is testimony to the SICMF’s commitment to new South African music. The SICMF would also like to acknowledge the tremendous support of Stellenbosch University, in particular the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, for sponsorship in kind with regard to the use of the world-class facilities of the Department of Music at SU. The other noteworthy new sponsorship-in-kind came from Rola – Somerset West, which sponsored the use of two upmarket vehicles for the transport of VIPs for the duration of the 2024 SICMF. This sponsorship was linked to that of the SICMF’s only corporate sponsor, Standard Bank.
The value of SICMF bursaries (in terms of revenue lost through non-payment of participant fees) rose from R422 400 in 2023 to R571 400 in 2024. With virtually no dedicated bursary sponsorship, the SICMF executive decided to award a considerable amount from its ordinary operating budget to bursaries ensuring equal opportunity for previously disadvantaged and financially needy participants. A number of students had elected to participate in a MIAGI project, the rehearsals for which clashed with the 2024 SICMF. Therefore, some of these students did not enter for SICMF. The MIAGI management canceled their rehearsals that were to have taken place during the SICMF time at the 11th hour, and the SICMF was able to accommodate some of these as late entries. Following the 10X10 Scholarships that were awarded in 2013 to commemorate 10 years of SICMF, the management of the 2024 SICMF decided (as in each subsequent year following 2013) to award a single oversees scholarship. The 2024 scholarship was awarded to tuba student, Likhona Tokota. Likhona, who hails from a previously disadvantaged background, will job shadow SICMF faculty member, Mark Hampson from Düsseldorf,
Germany for a period of 10 days. The scholarship has a value of R50 000 and will cover flights, accommodation and subsistence for the 10-day period.
Additional non-monetary Donations made at/through the 2024 SICMF include:
- Nikolas Dautricourt donated a selection of used strings for needy students.
- Three AllMusic sheet music vouchers valued at R1000 each were awarded to Ricardo Hinike, Neo
Phokatha and Tamica Britz. - Gliechweit clarinet mouthpiece donated by AllMusic to Nathan Huysamen.
- Four sets of Pirastro strings and rosin donated by Pirastro Vienna represented by their Technical Director,
Adrian Müller
o Violin Strings awarded to Corban Beukes and Catherine Stiff
o Viola strings awarded to Blandina Dimande
o Cello Strings awarded to Orlando Lopez Puertas
The 2025 Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival will run from 4 to 13 July.