The Greyton Genadendal “Classics for All”

A classical music event has been held annually in Greyton for the past 6 years. The Greyton Winter Classical Music Festival, as it was previously known, is an established event on the annual calendar of the Theewaterskloof Municipality of the Western Cape. The festival takes place each year over the weekend in June (also to coincide with Youth month).

The Greyton Genadendal “Classics for All” was launched in November 2010.

The “Classics for All” Festival is organised and run by a special Festival Committee, comprising local residents dedicated to achieving the goals of the festival.

Corporate Social Investment
  1. To introduce arts and culture to the wider community, including the youth. (In addition to music performances there are also several art exhibitions staged during the period of the festival).
  2. To encourage visitors to come to the Theewaterskloof (particularly Greyton and Genadendal in this instance) and so benefit both the hospitality establishments (accommodation and restaurants) and retail businesses during a quiet period of the year, i.e. winter. This is extremely important for job creation as Tourism is the prime ‘business’ in the village.
  3. To give local residents and visitors to the village the opportunity to attend performances by some of the top classical music artists in South Africa.
  4. To ensure that young musicians are given the opportunity to showcase their talents, not only for the benefit of present audiences but for the future of South Africa.
  5. To create a platform for local artists to perform for larger audiences, in some instances with professional artists
  6. To bring together communities (of Greyton, Genadendal and surrounds in particular) through music.
The 2010 Festival
(then called the Greyton Winter Classical Music Festival)

In 2010, with tickets sold through Computicket, the festival proved to be very successful. This can be measured by the attendance at the five concerts, all of which were very well supported with well over 1200 tickets sold. Hospitality establishments were fully booked and restaurants reported excellent turnover.

In addition, there was splendid cooperation from local churches, their ministers and congregations. Three concerts were staged in the Greyton Moravian Church. Financial support was provided to the church in addition to assistance with some maintenance and provision of curtains. One concert was held in the Greyton Dutch Reformed Church – the festival committee sponsored the tuning of the very old and special organ in the church for the performance held in this church.

In 2010, for the first time, Genadendal was a partner in the Classical Music Festival. The Genadendal Moravian Church authorities gave permission for this beautiful and historic church to be used for one concert given by the multi-racial and award-winning South African Youth Choir. The audience attending this performance had an incredible and unforgettable experience. The talented youngsters brought tears to many eyes and received a well deserved standing ovation.

Members of the congregation of the Genadendal Moravian Church were invited to attend the SA Youth Choir concert free of charge.

Many local artists also obtained exposure as they performed at local restaurants and other places in the village, giving them a platform to showcase their talents and receive remuneration. These musicians included previously disadvantaged musicians such as Stan Balie playing the piano at the Oak & Vigne and Ferdie Cloete and others who played at the Post House, Via’s restaurant and the Abbey Rose restaurant.

In addition, the well-known and local Genadendal Brass Band also performed at various venues in the village.

Success of the 2010 Classic Music Festival

The 2010 Greyton Winter Classical Music Festival was a highly successful, well attended, well advertised and well reported event. Publicity included wide coverage in various magazines and newspapers, several radio interviews and inclusion on a number of websites. Following the festival there was an excellent half hour show on MNet television: the entire event was featured on Fiesta, KykNet’s lifestyle programme, with Greyton receiving great publicity as a result.