Mangaung String Programme

The Mangaung String Programme is a string music development program initiated by the Free State Musicon in July 1998 under the directorship of Peter Guy, which targets children from historically disadvantaged backgrounds from the greater Bloemfontein area, predominately Mangaung. The very public face of the Mangaung String Programme is the Bochabela String Orchestra. This orchestra, made up of the best of the Mangaung String Programme, performs a wide variety of music from baroque to traditional and popular African music. The Bochabela String Orchestra performs for government, corporate and community functions.

Talented young musician are identified in the programme and offered specialised individual tuition as part of the the Free State Symphony Orchestra’s Cadet Programme. The programme provides group tuition for over 300 young aspiring musicians from previously disadvantaged communities. The FSSO funds all the musical needs of our Cadets; from the strings on their instruments to the accompanists’ fees for their exams. There are currently 25 FSSO Cadets. The most advanced Cadets perform alongside their teachers in the FSSO. The initiative promotes transformation of the FSSO, and is a resource for other orchestras in South Africa.