SAMA Nominees to shine in A NIGHT WITH THE STARS - also starring Johannesburg Youth Orchestra and Born To Perform
The Johannesburg Youth Orchestra Company is delighted to have two of South Africa’s shining stars featured in A Night With The Stars, taking place at The Lyric Theatre at Gold Reef City from 19 – 21 May, in the form of SAMA Nominees Richard Stirton and Tima Reece.
In the recent SAMA Nominations Announcements*, Richard Stirton, the hugely popular winner of the first season of The Voice SA, was nominated in the Best Rock Album Category for his critically acclaimed album Middle Ground.
Says Stirton; “If you had told me a year ago that I would be nominated for a SAMA Award, I wouldn’t have believed it. The opportunity for me to now work with some up and coming young talent is amazing because it gives me the change to help them believe; believe that a career in music is possible and that chasing your dreams can be a reality – like it has been for me.”
Tima Reece who exploded back on the music scene at the end of last year with her comeback album “9”, has been nominated in the Best R&B/Soul/Reggae Category for this album.
Says Reece; “The opportunity to perform with the Johannesburg Youth Orchestra and the students of Born To Perform is not only an honour, but also ingrains in me a sense of responsibility and accountability. With being nominated for a SAMA this year, comes the deep desire to see our talented youth reach their full potential and showcase their gifts on formidable platforms like A Night with the Stars where they get the recognition they so rightly deserve. What an amazing way to support the young up-and-coming musicians and artists South Africa has to offer.”
While the core focus of A Night with the Stars is to showcase the incredibly talented young musicians and artists the country has to offer, JYOC also believes that the addition of featured world-class vocalists each year, like Richard and Tima, gives their youngsters an unforgettable opportunity to experience working with such talent.
Says Producer/Director of A Night with the Stars, Bryan Schimmel; “What an awesome experience for the youngsters of both the Johannesburg Youth Orchestra and Born To Perform to be supported on stage by two newly nominated SAMA nominees and learn from them. An experience I am sure, they will not forget in a hurry.”
Building on the success of their dynamic collaboration in 2016, the Johannesburg Youth Orchestra Company joins forces once again with Born To Perform for three shows only in A Night with the Stars at The Lyric Theatre at Gold Reef City from Friday 19 – Sunday 21 May in the celebration of vibrant young talent.
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 are now firmly established on the entertainment scene following their previous Gala Concerts in 2015 & 2016, and you have a 2-hour concert that’s accessible, fun, unexpected, edgy and emotional whilst giving the audience a sensory symphonic experience of music and vocal excellence at its best.
The concert repertoire is full of surprises that range from Beethoven and Tchaikovsky to John Williams and Coldplay, from Fleur East and Jess Glynne to Queen.
Audiences will be treated to a diverse selection of hits from classics like Sounds of Silence and Bohemian Rhapsody to orchestral standards like the Overture from Candide, the Imperial March from Empire Strikes Back, to a twist on the main themes from Swan Lake and Beethoven’s 5th in true Bryan Schimmel style…including hip hop dancers into the mix.
Other instantly recognizable hits will include Defying Gravity, Viva La Vida as well as a marathon medley celebrating 30 iconic South African songs.
In keeping with the focus on youth in the arts, Included in A Night with the Stars will be the stunning teenage aerialist Lelethu Mda from Art of Synergy who will delight the audience with her dexterity.
MC for the concerts will be Catherine Coetzer, a 21-year old, up-and-coming comedian who goes by the stage name Awkward Cathy.
Enjoy a taste of the Johannesburg Youth Orchestra and Born To Perform by watching this promo video:
A Night with the Stars will be produced and directed by Maestro extraordinaire Bryan Schimmel and Gemma Marinus and conducted by Eddie Clayton.
ABOUT THE JOHANNESBURG YOUTH ORCHESTRA COMPANY
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 700 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.
For more information, please contact the JYOC office at
Phone: 011-484 1257
Email: info@orchestracompany.org.za
Board of Directors: Craig Barendsen (Chair), James Bassingthwaighte, Gemma Marinus, Matthew Marinus, Bryan Schimmel, Dale Smith, Faith Vanqa
CEO: Yusuf Justin Holcroft
Born To Perform was created by Matthew and Gemma Marinus 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.
For more information : www.borntoperform.co.za
A Night with the Stars stars the Johannesburg Youth Orchestra and Born To Perform, featuring Richard Stirton and Tima Reece and is being staged for 3 shows only at The Lyric Theatre at Gold Reef City on Friday 19 May at 19h30, Saturday 20 May at 19h30 and Sunday 21 May at 15h00.
Tickets are from R150 - R250 and available through www.goldreefcity.co.za or Computicket on www.computicket.com or 0861 915 8000. Alternatively, you can call The Lyric Theatre Box Office on 011 248 5000.
Group Bookings of 10 or more tickets, Scholars, Students and Pensioners qualify for discounted rates of R130 and R225 respectively and are also available through Computicket or directly with The Lyric Theatre Box Office on 011 248 5000.
Production Credits:
Starring: Johannesburg Youth Orchestra Company & Born To Perform
Guest Vocalists: Richard Stirton and Tima Reece
Producer/Director: Bryan Schimmel and Gemma Marinus
Conductor: Eddie Clayton
Additional Staging & Choreography: Gemma Donnelly
Video Inserts: Matthew Marinus
Sound Design: Richard Smith of Sound Harmonics
Set, Graphics & Lighting Design: Oliver Hauser of Hauser Lighting Design
Screens and Set Construction: Pieter Joubert of Gearhouse SDS
Additional Tehnical Supplier: Alistair Kilbee of Splitbeam
Publicity: Collett Dawson of The CoLab Network
* The SAMA Awards Ceremony takes place on 27 May.
