This African youth orchestra just formed this year. They've already played Carnegie Hall
Carnegie performance like ‘history happening right before our very eyes’: musician
Olawale Olayinka will never forget performing at Carnegie Hall earlier this month, as part of the first youth orchestra from across Africa to grace the world-famous stage.
"We walked through the audience and … they were so happy — the joy in their eyes is something I can never forget," said Olawale Olayinka, a violinist and violist from Nigeria, who is a member of the Africa United Youth Orchestra (AUYO).
"I've not felt so much joy my entire life … it raised our spirits even as we're climbing onto the stage to perform," he told The Current's guest host Connie Walker.
The AUYO performed in New York on Aug. 3 as part of World Orchestra Week at Carnegie Hall, which featured over 700 young musicians from across the globe. It was the chance of a lifetime for Olayinka and his peers, who only auditioned for the orchestra earlier this year.
"It was history happening right before our very eyes, you know, having an African orchestra, youth orchestra, performing for the first time ever at Carnegie," he said.
Bongani Tembe, the AUYO's artistic director and founder, said their youth orchestra is unique in that it draws together musicians from all corners of Africa, including South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Mozambique and Congo. The group was established with the support of South Africa's Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra.
He explained that the inspiration to establish the orchestra came from a conversation he had with Clive Gillinson, Carnegie Hall's executive and artistic director, a couple of years ago.
"He said, 'Bongani, we want to do a project like this where we invite a youth orchestra from each of the continents ... do you have a youth orchestra in Africa?'" said Tembe, himself an acclaimed South African musician.
"I said, 'We now do, Clive.'"
Would anyone audition?
Tembe said he's always wanted to bring together young musicians from across the continent, but wasn't sure what response he'd get when the audition call went out at the end of January.
Turns out, he didn't need to worry. Around 220 musicians applied, aged 18 to 30. Applicants were assessed by a jury of musicians from around the world, and 66 were selected.
"I think it shows that there is interest in orchestral music in Africa, and there's appetite for excellence in the arts … if people are given opportunities," Tembe said.
After a few months of rehearsal, the orchestra made its debut performance in July at the University of South Africa in Pretoria.
Carnegie Hall was their second-ever public performance. They played pieces including Nandi's Love Song, a song about the mother of Zulu King Shaka; and Pata Pata, an Afro-pop song made famous by South African singer Miriam Makeba.
"Most pieces that we did in the first half, really they were pieces to depict the African cultural life," Tembe said.
He said the orchestra's members have found connection and inspiration with one another, as well as with the young musicians they met in New York.
"Meeting other people from around the world helps them to strive for excellence — and they form friendships that will last for a lifetime," he said.
The youth orchestra is also challenging perceptions about Africa, he added.
"This project is, in a way, opening the eyes of the world to see the diversity of Africa. That, yes, Africa has got great music, but it doesn't mean that it's all just drums," he said.
It shows the world that "there is African jazz, there's African traditional music, and there's African classical music as well," he said.
Inspiring the next generation
Olayinka, the violinist and violist, got his start in music at church. He said he grew up watching his idols' performances at Carnegie Hall; musicians like Itzhak Perlman and Isaac Stern.
"Being a part of this orchestra is a dream come true for me," he said.
As a music teacher, he hopes he can share that dream with the next generation.
"[The Carnegie performance] is a huge source of inspiration to … the younger ones behind us," he said. "It has strengthened their spirits to believe that there is a future for them."
Tembe shares that hope. He wants the youth orchestra to keep performing around the world, and is looking at opportunities anywhere from China to the U.K.
"It is so important because we are trying to open opportunities, even bigger opportunities, than what we enjoyed ourselves. And we are passing the torch to the new generation," he said.
"When we see their energy, their determination, their discipline, it gives us hope for the future."
Audio produced by Niza Lyapa Nondo.
