Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra
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| Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra (JPO) | |
|---|---|
| Orchestra | |
| Founded | 2000 |
| Website | www |
Leadership and Governance
The Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra (JPO) is South Africa's premier philharmonic ensemble and a cornerstone of the cultural landscape in Gauteng. The JPO emerged in May 2000 after the National Symphony Orchestra disbanded to continue symphonic music performance in Johannesburg through the dedication of its founding musicians.[1] The organization operates as a non-profit company which also holds public benefit organization status.
The JPO operates under a board which includes Mr. Justice Dikgang Moseneke as its current chairman who previously served as Deputy Chief Justice of South Africa. Bongani Tembe has led the organization since 2015 by holding the dual positions of Chief Executive and Artistic Director. Tembe serves as the Artistic Director of the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra while holding this position to create strategic partnerships between these two leading South African musical organizations.[2]
The Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra operates under a Board of Directors which includes South African leaders who come from legal and business and academic backgrounds. The board exercises strategic oversight to ensure the orchestra performs its non-profit duties which protect its public benefit status.
Board of Directors (2025–2026)[3]
| Name | Role | Professional Background |
| Mr. Justice Dikgang Moseneke | Chairman | Former Deputy Chief Justice of South Africa |
| Bongani Tembe | CEO & Artistic Director | Arts Administrator; CEO of Mzansi National Philharmonic |
| Busi Mabuza | Board Member | Chair of the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) |
| Nonkululeko Nyembezi | Board Member | Business Executive (Standard Bank, Alexander Forbes) |
| Mandla Nkomfe | Board Member | Former Gauteng MEC for Finance |
| Malcolm Segal | Board Member | Chartered Accountant and Business Consultant |
| Stephen Jurisich | Board Member | Actuary and Academic (Wits University) |
| Seth Phalatse | Board Member | Business Executive |
| Mahmoud Rajab | Board Member | Businessman and Philanthropist |
| Colin Smith | Board Member | Legal Expert |
| Carolyn Steyn | Board Member | Philanthropist; Founder of 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day |
Core Performance Seasons
The orchestra performs its four annual symphony seasons throughout the year which include Summer and Autumn and Winter and Spring.
- Venue: Performances are held primarily at the Linder Auditorium at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in Johannesburg.[4][5]
- Programming: The JPO attracts talented musicians who perform as both local and international soloists and conductors. The orchestra has performed under the direction of conductors Arjan Tien and Yasuo Shinozaki.
- Pre-Concert Talks: The JPO provides pre-Concert Talks which serve to enhance accessibility through educational content about the performed music.
- Community Engagement: The orchestra has a community engagement programme which sees it perform at schools in Soweto and other townships in Gauteng.
- Other Genres: The JPO also supports other music genres, including ballet and opera. One example is the Joburg Ballet's 2018 production of Carmen.[6]
Past achievements and activities
During 2000, the JPO utilised its own scant financial resources to present 15 concerts that included three overseas guest conductors as well as world-renowned overseas artists.[who?]
Since its inception, the JPO has presented four symphony seasons every year of symphonic music, mostly with the assistance of corporate sponsorship and individual donations and ticket sales.
In 2004, the JPO released an internationally acclaimed, world-premiere recording of the Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Violin Concerto.
The JPO commissioned and, in March 2004, performed the world-premiere of 'A Mandela Portrait' in recognition of the 10 years of democracy in South Africa. The work was then recorded and broadcast on 1 December 2004 - World Aids Day - on SABC 2.
In addition to its symphony concerts, the JPO has performed: 'Queen: the Concert' 'The Joburg Pops' 'La Traviata' and 'La Bohème' for Opera Africa 'Carmina Burana' for the German Government's celebration of 10 years of democracy Fauré's 'Requiem' for RAU.
In 2007, the JPO became a full-time orchestra with permanent musicians on yearly contracts. 2009 saw the JPO perform for the Inauguration of President Zuma at the Union Buildings. In 2009, the JPO was awarded funding for a three-year period by the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund. In 2009 the JPO provided the recordings for the opening and closing ceremonies for the FIFA Confederations Cup. In 2010 the JPO was asked once again to record for the FIFA World Cup opening and Closing ceremonies.[citation needed]
History
![[icon]](#/media/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding missing information. (August 2011) |
The Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra (JPO) was formed in 2000 by members of the disbanded National Symphony Orchestra.[7][8] From 2000 until 2012 it presented four seasons of concerts per year. On September 1, 2006, Shadrack Bokaba was appointed as Managing Director of the JPO. The following year, its business model was changed fundamentally – with the orchestra moving from operating on an ad-hoc basis to becoming Gauteng's only permanent orchestra.
The company depended on funding by the public sector for sixty two (62) percent of its annual income, including from the Department of Arts and Culture and from the Lotteries. Other funding partners were from the private sector, including Anglo-American, JD Group and others. One of the successes during this time was the establishment of the JPO Academy, which focused on the training of talented black African musicians. A four-year intensive orchestral programme was offered in partnership with the WITS School of music with the instrumental training provided by JPO musicians. At the end of 2012 the JPO reached another financial crisis which almost ended in liquidation. Mainly, this was due to the declining income from the public sector. The JPO was placed in business rescue on 23 October 2012. A business rescue plan was presented and approved by creditors on 19 March of the following year. In 2013 still, the orchestra underwent a number of organizational changes and managed to present two seasons. Since then, the orchestra has put measures in place to secure its survival going forward.[7] Commercial recordings include the first recording of the Violin Concerto by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor.[9]
References
- ↑ Garrett, Charles (2015-01-13), "Jazz at the Philharmonic", Oxford Music Online, Oxford University Press, retrieved 2026-02-10
- ↑ "BONGANI TEMBE APPOINTED CHIEF EXECUTIVE AND ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF THE JOHANNESBURG and KZN Philharmonic Orchestras – IMAGINEMAG!". imaginemag.co.za. Retrieved 2018-06-29.
- ↑ "About Us". Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra. Retrieved 2026-02-10.
- ↑ "Functions - Wits University". www.wits.ac.za. Retrieved 2026-02-10.
- ↑ Studios, Nkosana & Tshepiso for FGX. "Artslink.co.za - JPO World Symphony Summer Season opens this week". Artslink. Archived from the original on 2018-06-16. Retrieved 2018-06-16.
- ↑ "Carmen | Joburg Ballet". www.joburgballet.com. Archived from the original on June 16, 2018. Retrieved 2018-06-16.
- 1 2 "About the JPO". Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra. Retrieved 24 June 2011.
- ↑ "Will the band play on?". The M&G Online. South Africa. January 17, 1997.
- ↑ Andrew Achenbach (July 2004). "Coleridge-Taylor: Violin Concerto". Gramophone: 44. Retrieved 24 June 2011.
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