First South African Galway Flute Festival

Beau Soleil flute students past and present were selected as participants in the First South African Galway Flute Festival hosted by UCT. The genial Sir James Galway, also known as “the man with the golden flute”, was always supportive and encouraging. His charming wife Lady Jeanne Galway, a formidable flute player herself, inspired students who played in her master classes. Together they generously shared their knowledge and years of experience with all who attended as observers and performers.

Top Image: Derek Fennell and John Rojas appear with Cecily Salmon, Director of the Salon Foundation – Southern Africa.

Right Image: Staff members Derek Fennell and HOD Woodwind John Rojas appear with Lady Jeanne Galway and Sir James Galway.

Saxophone Master Classes

Saxophone Master Classes with members of the

CONNECTIONS SAXOPHONE QUARTET

(FRANCE/SOUTH AFRICA) 

Cécile Dubois: After finishing her studies at the Regional Conservatoires in Lyon and Boulogne-Billancourt Cécile Dubois continued her studies at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique in Paris where she studied under Daniel Deffayet and then Claude Delange and David Walter. She was awarded the first prize with distinction in 1990. Throughout her career she has been awarded various awards, such as the UFAM and has been featured at many festivals and alongside various orchestras including the National Orchestra of Lyon, the Capitole Orchestra from Toulouse, the Paris Orchestra and many more. Since 1996 she has been the saxophone professor at the Conservatoire á Rayonnement Régional in Besançon. Her class comprises of students who come from all around France and other countries including China, Taiwan, Greece, Spain and South Africa.

Paul Richard: Born in France in 1986, Paul Richard started the saxophone at the age of eight and gained a place at the Conservatoire of Besançon in 2002. He obtained his bachelor of Musicology from the University of Franche-Comté and was awarded the First Prize for Chamber Music in 2007, as well as his Diploma of Musical Studies for Saxophone in 2010. After finishing his studies in France, Paul moved to South Africa where he taught Saxophone at the Durban Music School. Willing to carry on his studies, he registered at Rhodes University, Grahamstown, where he obtained distinctions for his BA Honours in Saxophone, Composition and Chamber Music in 2013. Paul won the Seventh Grahamstown Music Competition, which took place in June 2012. Paul is currently teaching Saxophone and Clarinet at Woodridge Preparatory and College in Port Elizabeth.