Beethoven Symphony No. 5, Strauss Ein Heldenleben
June 15, 7:00 PM
Aula Theatre, University of Pretoria
View Concert Program Book for Program I: Beethoven/Strauss
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Mahler Symphony No. 2, "Resurrection"
with Gauteng Choristers, directed by Sidwell Mhlongo
Andiswa Makana, Soprano
Bongiwe Nakani Mcetywa, Mezzo Soprano
June 17, 7:00 PM
Regina Mundi RC Church
View Concert Program Book for Program II: Mahler Symphony No. 2
Sold out!
Mahler Symphony No. 2, "Resurrection"
with Gauteng Choristers, directed by Sidwell Mhlongo
Andiswa Makana, Soprano
Bongiwe Nakani Mcetywa, Mezzo Soprano
June 18, 3:00 PM
Linder Auditorium
View Concert Program Book for Program II: Mahler Symphony No. 2
Sold out!
Mahler Symphony No. 2, "Resurrection"
with Gauteng Choristers, directed by Sidwell Mhlongo
Andiswa Makana, Soprano
Bongiwe Nakani Mcetywa, Mezzo Soprano
June 20, 7:00 PM
Cape Town City Hall
View Concert Program Book for Program II: Mahler Symphony No. 2
Sold out!
Beethoven Symphony No. 5, Strauss Ein Heldenleben
June 21, 7:00 PM
Hugo Lambrechts Music Centre
View Concert Program Book for Program I: Beethoven/Strauss
Beethoven Symphony No. 5, Strauss Ein Heldenleben
June 23, 7:00 PM
National Arts Festival
Guy Butler Auditorium
View Concert Program Book for Program I: Beethoven/Strauss
Children's concert
June 24, 11:00 AM
with Andiswa Makana, Soprano
National Arts Festival
Guy Butler Auditorium
View Concert Program Book for Children's Concert
This 120-member orchestra of talented 12 to 21-year-olds—led by its co-founder and guiding force Benjamin Zander—embarked on a 15-day, multi-city tour. Read Maestro Benjamin Zander's Full South Africa Tour report complete with video and audio links here.
In fulfillment of the Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra’s motto of “Shaping Future Leaders through Music,” the 2023 tour featured performances throughout South Africa, and numerous opportunities to collaborate with local young musicians. The tour was arranged by the international tour management company, Classical Movements.
Read the latest press about the tour here.
1. BPYO 2023 TOUR TO SOUTH AFRICA - PRELUDE. You may also listen to Jonathan Blumhofer read the first blog post with the Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra rehearsal providing real-time underscore music.
2. BPYO 2023 TOUR TO SOUTH AFRICA - ACT 1, SCENE 1: PRETORIA. You may also listen to videographer Dave Jamrog read Jonathan Blumhofer's 2nd blog post with the Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra rehearsal providing real-time underscore music.
3. BPYO 2023 TOUR TO SOUTH AFRICA: ACT 1, SCENE 2 - PRETORIA. You may also listen to videographer Dave Jamrog read Jonathan's 3rd blog post with the Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra rehearsal providing real-time underscore music
4. BPYO 2023 TOUR TO SOUTH AFRICA: ACT 2 - SOWETO
5. BPYO 2023 TOUR TO SOUTH AFRICA: ACT 4 - MAKHANDA
6. BPYO TOUR TO SOUTH AFRICA: ACT 5 - PILANESBERG & FINALE ULTIMO
1. Benjamin Zander's Pre-concert talk at the concert in Soweto at Regina Mundi Church on June 17, 2023.
2. Rehearsal with Gauteng Choristers in Johannesburg.
3. Musical Exchange with Morris Isaacson.
4. Musical Exchange SBS School for the Blind.
5. End of the final concert in Makhanda with audience applause.
"One indispensable reason why we go on tour is to share our music beyond the Boston music scene. Every person in this world deserves to be able to go to concerts or surround themselves with music, and with our international tours, we have been able to expand that opportunity for countless individuals. We may be young people, but we have been given the chance to change the world with love, music, and possibility, and that is why our international tours are so important.“ —Emily Chen, BPYO alumna
"After being on tour, I see the world differently, and I firmly believe it’s because now, I always keep my head up…When you look up, you notice everything, every last detail. I’ve always looked at my shoes like I was carrying some kind of burden, but now I can’t stop looking up. I feel a little lighter, a little freer, a little more human." —Reese Williams, BPYO alumnus
Photos by Paul Mardy Photography & video by Dave Jamrog.
Supported in part by 
Copyright 2025 Boston Philharmonic Orchestra
"One indispensable reason why we go on tour is to share our music beyond the Boston music scene. Every person in this world deserves to be able to go to concerts or surround themselves with music, and with our international tours, we have been able to expand that opportunity for countless individuals. We may be young people, but we have been given the chance to change the world with love, music, and possibility, and that is why our international tours are so important.“ —Emily Chen,
"After being on tour, I see the world differently, and I firmly believe it’s because now, I always keep my head up…When you look up, you notice everything, every last detail. I’ve always looked at my shoes like I was carrying some kind of burden, but now I can’t stop looking up. I feel a little lighter, a little freer, a little more human." —Reese Williams,