Department of Music

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Browsing Department of Music by Author "Burden, Liam Jonathan"

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    Factors that govern the selection of repertoire performed by South African youth orchestras
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2021-12) Burden, Liam Jonathan; Kierman, Pamela; Nell, Mario; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Department of Music.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Youth Orchestras form an integral part of many music programmes across South Africa, yet research on these important organisations has been limited. The repertoire performed is of particular relevance, since youth orchestras provide an important platform of experiential learning to many youth who aspire to pursue the career of an orchestral musician. This research sets out to investigate the determining factors in the selection of repertoire for South African youth orchestras, as well as who the people are behind such selections. Nineteen South African youth orchestras, falling within the scope of this study, were identified. The youth orchestra landscape of South Africa was mapped, and one tertiary, regional and national orchestra were selected respectively for further investigation with regard to repertoire selection. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with conductors and management personnel working with the orchestras from 2008 – 2018; a repertoire list of all works programmed for this period was compiled, and the resultant data compared. Preliminary research findings indicated that a number of factors ranging from the pedagogical needs of orchestra members to social responsibility, determine the repertoire choice for youth orchestras in South Africa. This elicited further investigation into the responsibility of conductors and their advisors in ensuring appropriate repertoire selection in terms of the capabilities and pedagogical needs of the orchestra members, and in addressing the important aspect of social cohesion through shared goals. The programming of South African repertoire, and the demographic diversity of youth orchestra membership, were additional determining factors which emerged. A list of the South African literature performed is included, but was not the core focus of this study. Demographic diversity also does not fall within the scope of this study, but provides valuable material for future research in this sphere.