Concerts in National Parks

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Toko
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Concerts in National Parks

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Sunset Serenade: Classical music in Kruger

May 27, 2013, 4:01 PM

What happens when you blend some of the finest classical music with the familiar sounds of the wild, seat a group of bush and music lovers together in a natural 'auditorium' on a riverbank and create an amazing live concert experience under the setting sun, as it transforms the colours and light of the sky? You get the incredible music-in-the-bush event called the Sunset Serenade in the Kruger National Park. By John Gatherer and Peta Ann Holdcroft


For a small group of wildlife and music enthusiasts, the annual Sunset Serenade Concerts provide an unforgettable and deeply moving experience. This brilliant fundraising venture has increased in popularity and support since its first weekend at the Jakkalsbessie Camp in 1999.

The blueprint for this successful initiative has remained the same: a three-day series of classical concerts in the bush, hosted and organised by the Conservation Services National Project of the SANParks Honorary Rangers. The personalities behind the scenes of Sunset Serenade deserve a special mention: Margaret Stafford, who was involved in the first concerts in 1999 and has remained the event organiser 'anchor' ever since; John Turner, Chairman of the Conservation Services unit; Janssen Davies, Chairman of the National Executive Committee; and Honorary Rangers Ken and Tina Schmidt and Rudy Strydom.

The Sunset Serenade concerts are held in a host of carefully-chosen bush settings at a number of SANParks camps. Each concert performance has its own ambience, so you could find yourself listening to the beautiful strains of musical instruments under a gnarled baobab tree, overlooking a flood plain or on a sandy riverbed. Letaba, the 'family home' of this initiative leads the way with the most concert performances over the years but other SANParks bush camps such as Olifants and Lower Sabie have also been hosts to the Sunset Serenade, each showcasing their unique bush environment, ecosystems and bush camp facilities.

Can you imagine listening to a six piece ensemble playing a classical concerto, surrounded by inquisitive animals, the accompanying sounds of the wild, under open skies that turns mauve and red as the sun sets?

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Peta Ann Holdcroft is one of the founder members of this incredible concert event in the bush. She shares her experiences:

Some 13 years ago, we were approached by the SANParks Honorary Rangers to perform a series of concerts in the Kruger National Park in aid of anti-poaching. Being adventurous and passionate about nature, our wildlife and music, we immediately jumped at the chance to perform in unique surroundings, away from any concert hall, for such an amazing cause.

The Sunset Serenade is performed by six professional musicians: two violinists, Irene Tsoniff and Ivo Ivanov, flautist Melane’ Hofmeyr-Burger, harpist Rosemary Kane, myself on the cello and Marjan Vonk on the viola. The harp is fondly referred to as the ‘the 4x4 Harp’, as this precious instrument has to endure some very rough travel into the bush.

Over three evenings we perform at different venues in the bush as the sun goes down. We play different programmes each evening, including a variety of classical and light music, chosen to suit the location, ambience and season. It is the most wonderful experience to hear instruments normally heard in concert halls being played in the open air, blending in with all the natural sounds to form a perfect symphony of nature.

Arrangements and the huge amount of organisation for these concerts generally start some nine months prior to the concerts. There are so many wonderful people who, every year, work tirelessly and put so much time and effort into this important fund-raising event.

It is delightful to hear the bushveld symphony at sunset, with birds, beetles, insects and bats accompanying Beethoven, Bach, Brahms and the Beatles. All around us we hear the bush sounds: the trumpeting of elephant, the roar of a lion in the distance and if the concerts are situated near a river, the chorus of hippos! It is an amazing sight to see the hippos lining up side by side in the water, with their ears up as if they were listening closely to the music. At the end of each piece they erupt with loud grunting, roars and bellows.

How incredible it has been to be upstaged by a visiting elephant, which decided to investigate the strange new sounds being played in his ‘neck of the woods’. On another occasion, we were honoured to have a pride of lion attend a concert. They too were curious to see what was happening in their neighborhood. It is however, always reassuring that the audience and musicians are protected by the wonderful game rangers, positioned around the concert setting, who keep a watchful eye over proceedings.

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As temperatures fall at sunset, humidity rises and some of the ultra-sensitive musical instruments need re-tuning, much to the interest of the audience. Bugs then arrive, to settle onto the music scores, changing a crotchet into a quaver, and making life a lot more challenging for us musicians. One year, a mosquito flew into the guest clarinetist’s ear, which led him to ‘mis-pitch’ the final notes of Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto because of the buzz in his ear!

Another great memory occurred this year, when we were playing a lively dance in the dark, and fireflies suddenly appeared and started flying above us in their own dancing world, creating a startling and truly magical scene of music and light in nature.

It has been an honour to be part of this wonderful cause. The chance to assist with nature conservation and anti-poaching has been an inspiration in our lives and we hope that our experience will encourage more people to care for and enjoy our precious wildlife and wilderness.

For more information about the Honorary Rangers' Sunset Serenade, contact Margaret Stafford on counterpoaching@mweb.co.za or 011 793 2706.


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Re: Sunset Serenade: Classical Music in Kruger National Park

Post by Toko »

This is not new at all :evil:


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Re: Sunset Serenade: Classical Music in Kruger National Park

Post by Lisbeth »

It's written that it started in 1999 :-?


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Re: Sunset Serenade: Classical Music in Kruger National Park

Post by Flutterby »

First I've heard of it!! :O^


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Re: Sunset Serenade: Classical Music in Kruger National Park

Post by Richprins »

No...it's an old thing...was just in Skuks, I think?

But I like it! :-)


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Re: Sunset Serenade: Classical Music in Kruger National Park

Post by Sprocky »

Richprins wrote:No...it's an old thing

But I like it! :-)
From our last trip,...you didn't enjoy the old stuff??? O** -O- =O:


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Re: Sunset Serenade: Classical Music in Kruger National Park

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I did opera... 0-


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Re: Sunset Serenade: Classical Music in Kruger National Park

Post by Dewi »

Don't you mean Oprah? -O


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Re: Sunset Serenade: Classical Music in Kruger National Park

Post by Richprins »

Stop sidelining here! I think Toko requests opinions! 0= (0)


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Re: Sunset Serenade: Classical Music in Kruger National Park

Post by Lisbeth »

I'll give you mine...... Musical concerts have nothing to do in a wildlife reserve. I love classical music, but not in Kruger!


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