Young Virtuosi

Young Virtuosi (YVP) 

Young Virtuosi is a 5-year old programme launched by Paul Roos Gymnasium in 2018. YVP aims to further enhance the abilities of talented young musicians in Stellenbosch and create a larger pool of experienced musicians ready to join Paul Roos and the Stellenbosch musical ensemble community. In collaboration with neighbouring primary schools, Paul Roos recruited some of the top young musical talent for the programme.

The programme provides free tuition for instrumental lessons and assistance with theory of music. The school also importantly provides the talented primary school learners with instruments. Paul Roos Gymnasium currently has 6 trumpets and 3 trombones which were generously and anonymously donated when the programme began. Due to limited instrument inventory and instructor fees – YVP only has trumpet as instrumental choice at this stage. University of Stellenbosch graduate and trumpeter – Ms Lara Havenga – was gifted as the programme’s first brass instructor. It is the school’s aim to add more instrument choices such as trombone, tuba and euphonium as time goes by.

Besides an affordable, quality musical education, and access to instruments, Young Virtuosi participants perform annually in the PRG Music Festival as well as other yearly spectacles. YVP graduates who eventually enroll at Paul Roos currently make up the entire PRG Big Band trumpet section. Grade 9 graduate Kayden Phillips is a regular Eisteddfod category winner and national competition participant, preparing for his Grade 7 Unisa practical examination.

This long-term grassroots project, under the stewardship of Mr. Cezarre Strydom and Mr. Stephan Bezuidenhout, is sure to deliver countless dividends to the musical community of Paul Roos Gymnasium and Stellenbosch.

Do you want to help?

To assist Paul Roos Gymnasium in funding an additional music teacher for YVP, please make contact with Ms. Luna Paige at the Paul Roos Brand Management Office. Help Paul Roos appoint a trombone teacher in 2023. Contact Ms. Paige at media@paulroos.co.za | 082 859 2420.