.png)
.png)
CLARINETIST | CONDUCTOR | EDUCATOR
BIOGRAPHY
Grant Snyman is currently a PhD doctoral student at Nelson Mandela University in Port Elizabeth. After matriculating from Grey High School in 2011, he went on to complete his Bachelor of Music degree in Clarinet performance, graduating cum laude (2015) and then in 2017 completed his Masters of Music degree in conducting. Grant was the recipient of the Charles Bryars’ Scholarship, several merit bursaries, two Merit Awards for Academic Excellence in the Faculty of the Arts and was also a SAMRO bursary recipient for several years. Most recently, Grant has been awarded the International DAAD Scholarship to further his doctoral studies for five months abroad at Oldenburg University in Germany.
He is currently a music educator at Collegiate Girls’ High School, where he specializes in teaching chamber music, clarinet and saxophone tuition and is the conductor of the school’s Concert Band. He is also the Artistic Director and Conductor of the Nelson Mandela University Symphony Orchestra since 2015, whom recently placed second at the National SASBA Orchestra Competition in 2019.
Grant has performed both nationally and internationally, and has taken part in several National Youth Orchestra courses, National and International Chamber Music Festivals and has competed in National Music Competitions. He has had the privilege to perform before the Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the late Ahmed Kathrada and Helen Zille. He has also performed with Simphiwe Dana in her DVD recording of the Symphony Experience in 2016.
He has participated in numerous master classes from internationally acclaimed clarinetists and teachers such as Carina Washington, Ferdinand Steiner, Yevgeny Petrov, Valdemar Rodriguez, Dr Danre Strydom and Prof Eddy Vanoosthuyse. In 2014, Grant toured and performed as part of the MIAGI Youth Orchestra to Germany (Berlin Philharmonie and Laeiszhalle Concert Hall), Sweden (Royal Rikssalen Palace), Denmark and Amsterdam (Concertgebouw). Futhermore, in 2017, he travlled to New York City, USA as first clarinet as part of the Kwazulu-Natal Youth Wind Orchestra where he performed at the International Wind Symphony Competition in Carneige Hall.
Grant has also participated in conducting master classes from world renowned conductors; Laszlo Marosi, Daniel Boico, Victor Yampolsky, Adam Cooke, Benjamin Lack, Bjørn Breistein, Fredrik Burstedt, James Ross, Matheu Kieswetter, Peter Louis van Dijk, Junita van Dijk & David Scarr. In 2018, Grant took part in the 4th National Len van Zyl Conducing Competition (Cape Town), and was ranked in the top 14 of young conductors in South Africa. He has been the guest conductor of the National Musicamp Association of Zimbabwe in Harare (2018), the Eastern Cape Philharmonic Orchestra (2019) and of the Eastern Cape Wind Orchestra (2020).
ORCHESTRAS
NELSON MANDELA UNIVERSITY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
In 2015, the Nelson Mandela University Symphony Orchestra, after 10 years, was reborn. This was possible under the direction and guidance of PhD doctoral student, Grant Snyman. In 2020, we celebrate the orchestra's and Maestro Snyman's 5th year with the orchestra. The university orchestra strives for excellence and to promote classical orchestral music to the wider Port Elizabeth community. It aims to build a new and dynamic concert going generation in our city for the many years to come. It furthermore serves as a bridging orchestra for the city, for young students whom come out of the schooling programmes to develop their orchestral skills and knowledge, before one day auditioning for the Eastern Cape Philharmonic Orchestra or any other professional orchestra. It will continue to aim to develop our young musicians through exciting concerts, collaborations and outreach concerts to better music in Port Elizabeth.
Concert highlights include; the collaboration concert with the Free State Youth Orchestra, the community collaboration concert with the New Apostolic Church Port Elizabeth Orchestra (which saw over 900 people in the audience), three wonderful world premieres “His Day is Done” composed and conducted by Ed Sarath, the “Tuba Concerto No. 1 in Bb” by Daniel Leo Simpson, conducted by Grant Snyman & "Illusions of a Simple Life" [to bring awareness to the water crisis in South Africa} composed by Maike Watson and conducted by Grant Snyman. And, 2 wonderful tours; one to Bloemfontein and the other to Durban/Umhlanaga where the orchestra was placed 2nd at the annual SASBA National Band & Orchestra Competition
COLLEGIATE GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL CONCERT BAND
The Collegiate Girls' High School Concert band is one of the countries leading all female High School ensembles. The school, which now celebrates its' 147th year, has a long standing history of music and music education. The concert band after the choir, is one of the school's oldest music ensembles.The 2020 Concert Band consists of over 50 musically gifted and talented young ladies, and it is conducted by Grant Snyman.
NEWS & PRESS
| 3 MARCH 2017
Muso’s dream gig at Carnegie Hall
BIG APPLAUSE: Clarinetist Grant Snyman is to perform at the famous Carnegie Hall in New York.
PORT Elizabeth clarinetist Grant Snyman is set to grace the stage of the famous Carnegie Hall in New York City in the US next week.
Snyman, 24, is the clarinet and saxophone teacher at Collegiate Girls’ High School in the Bay.
He is also a final-year M Mus conducting student at NMMU.
Snyman was chosen as first clarinetist and shadow conductor for the KZN Youth Wind Band, which will be competing at the International New York Wind Band Festival in New York from March 10 to 16.
“We are extremely proud of Grant and wish him well as he is not only an ambassador for the school but also the country,” Collegiate Girls High School head of music Nikki Fyvie said.
The KZN Youth Wind Band, under the direction of Russell Scott, is one of only six wind ensembles selected out of 36 international applicants to participate in the festival.
The band is also the only participating ensemble from South Africa and the continent.
The band will perform the world premiere of a newly commissioned work written for them.
“This is truly a dream come true,” Snyman said this week. “I never thought I would ever receive an opportunity of this magnitude.
“I am truly grateful to Russell Scott and to the KZN Youth Wind Band as this is a concert venue that most musicians only ever dream about performing in.”
| 20 SEPTEMBER 2017
GRAND FINALE
On Sunday, 29 October 2017 @ 15:00 - the Mandela Orchestra will present "The Grand Finale" in the Feather Market Centre under the baton of Grant Snyman. The orchestra will perform works by von Weber, Verdi, Dukas and a Tuba Concerto performed by Tiago Vital; and composed by Daniel Leó Simpson (USA).
The orchestra will also be joined on stage by the nationally acclaimed Eastern Cape Children's Choir (ECCC) in the performance of "The Selfish Giant," composed by leading South African composer, Peter Louis van Dijk.
Thank you to the Nelson Mandela University Department of Music, the SAMRO Foundation and Concert SA @concertSA for their support and for making this concert possible.
| 21 JUNE 2018
Third place at National Music Competition
The 12th National Grahamstown Music Competition 2018, hosted by the Department of Music and Musicology Rhodes University from 21-23 June 2018, was an inspiring three days of exciting music-making. Taking place annually the weekend before the NAF kicks off, the NGM competition inevitably leaves audience members, teachers and young performers with the happy impression that SA youngsters have musical talent beyond measure. This year’s competition was no exception, with our young performers once again displaying astonishing musical prowess on the Beethoven Room’s stage.
| 4 OCTOBER 2019
National acclaim for orchestra!
Reasons to be Proud - #R2bP: The Nelson Mandela University Symphony Orchestra conducted by Grant Snyman, was placed second at the South African National Band & Orchestra Competition held in Umhlanga, KZN last weekend.
The orchestra scored an amazing 87.25% for their performance, awarding them with national SASBA colours.
“Nice to see you enjoy what you are doing, which is making music. Amazing performance!” the Chief Adjudicator told the orchestra after the event.
The event held on 27 and 28 September, featured primary and high school marching bands, marimba bands, wind bands and orchestras from around South Africa. Hosted in conjunction with the South African School Band Association and the Durban Music School, the competition saw ensembles of all forms competing in front of a professional panel of adjudicators in a massive two-day musical spectacular.
| 14 APRIL 2019
Symphonic Showcase Concert
This April, the Nelson Mandela University Symphony Orchestra will be hosting the first “Symphonic Showcase” of the year and are excited to be collaborating with Collegiate Girls’ High School and Pearson High School. The concert will treat audiences to a wonderful afternoon of music and showcase the talents of music students in the schooling and tertiary system. The concert will be held at the Nelson Mandela University South Campus Auditorium on Sunday, 14 April 2019 at 15:00.
The first half of the concert will see Mr Paulo Putigna with the Collegiate Girls’ High School Concert Band and Mrs Tania Leurquain-Steyn with the Pearson High School Concert Band, entertain audiences with a fantastic array of music whilst showing the high standard of instrumental music that we have in Port Elizabeth. The second half will see the Nelson Mandela University Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Mr Grant Snyman performing well-known works by Franz Schubert and George Gershwin, as well as a South African composition by Grant McLachlan. Opera aficionados can look forward to Charles Gounod's Ariette No.3, “Je veux vivre” from his opera Romeo and Juliet, sung by Nelson Mandela University alumni, Liske Hemingway.
“The concert is aimed at encouraging high school students to not only study and pursue music as a career, but to remain in Port Elizabeth and to enjoy the facilities and opportunities available at Nelson Mandela University,” says conductor, Grant Snyman.
| 1 MARCH 2020
Alumni for March 2020 in the Faculty of Arts: Music
Grant Snyman a PhD student at Nelson Mandela University has been granted a DAAD scholarship for five months. The scholarship is to study at Oldenburg University from August to December 2020.
His supervisor at Oldenburg University will be Professor Mario Dunkel.
Grant Snyman (27) matriculated from Grey High School in 2011, went on to complete his Bachelor of Music degree in Clarinet performance, graduating cum laude (2015) and then completed his Masters of Music degree in conducting in 2017. Grant was also the recipient of the Charles Bryars’ Scholarship, several merit bursaries, two Merit Awards for Academic Excellence in the Faculty of the Arts and was also a SAMRO bursary recipient for several years.
29 FEBRUARY 2020
Symphonic Showcase 2 Concert
This April, the Nelson Mandela University Symphony Orchestra will be hosting their first concert of the year, “Symphonic Showcase 2” in an exciting collaborating with Alexander Road High School. After last year’s success, the orchestra is excited to continue its’ community engagement with yet another local PE High School. The concert will treat audiences to a wonderful afternoon of music and showcase the talents of music students in the schooling and tertiary system. The concert will be held in the Percy Walker Hall at Alexander Road High School on Saturday, 4 April 2020 at 18:00.
The first half of the concert will see David McCoy and Elmarie van der Vyver with the Alexander Road High School’s Concert Band & Symphony Orchestra entertain audiences with a fantastic array of music whilst showing the high standard of instrumental music that we have in Port Elizabeth.
The second half will see the Nelson Mandela University Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Mr Grant Snyman performing works by Rimski-Korsakov, Vaughn Williams, Aaron Copland as well a South African and World premiere of Franco Prinsloo’s ‘Imbulu Suite’. Western classic movie fans can also look forward to Ralph Ford’s arrangement of Go West!
“The concert is aimed at encouraging high school students to not only study and pursue music as a career, but to remain in Port Elizabeth and to enjoy the facilities and opportunities available at Nelson Mandela University. It will also be my last concert after five wonderful years with the orchestra – my family,” says conductor, Grant Snyman.
| 6 AUGUST 2019
Symphonies Collide Concert
This September, the Nelson Mandela University Symphony Orchestra will be hosting its second concert for the year, “Symphonies Collide” in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University Wind Orchestra. Audiences can look forward to a delightful afternoon of music showcasing the talent blooming within the Nelson Mandela University Music Department. The concert will be held in the Deary Hall at Pearson High School on Sunday, 15 September at 15:00.
The first half of the concert will see Tania Leurquain-Steyn conducting the Nelson Mandela University Wind Orchestra with music ranging from pop-rock to soul as well as a traditional South African arrangement. This performance also foregrounds the improvisation skills of NMU music students – highlighting the diverse styles of music that the NMU Music Department has to offer.
The second half will see the Nelson Mandela University Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Grant Snyman, performing works by Vasily Kalinnikov, Allan Stephenson and Peter Louis van Dijk as well as popular film music composed by local and international artists. This is also the programme that the orchestra will be taking on tour to Durban later this year after being invited to participate in this year’s South African School Band (SABSA) National Competition.
SCHEDULE
5 April 2020
6:00 pm
Symphonic Showcase 2
The Nelson Mandela University Orchestra will be collaborating with Alexander Road High School's symphony orchestra and concert band for a spectacular evening of musical collaboration!
Alexander Road High School
Percy Walker Hall
3-4 June 2020
Charity Week
Maranatha Children's Home & Stella Londt Old Age Home
The Nelson Mandela University Symphony Orchestra is doing there second charity week as an orchestra. It a beautiful time to share love through music.
Stella Londt Old Age Home
Maranatha Childrens' Home
6 September 2020
3:00 pm
Symphonies Collide
The Nelson Mandela University Symphony Orchestra will be collaborating with the Nelson Mandela University Wind Symphony. It will be an afternoon filled with light, vibrant music.
Nelson Mandela University
South Campus Auditorium
CONTACT ME
_edited_edited.png)