The Kirby Ensemble (with Gerhard Joubert) plays Schumann, Beethoven

ABOUT

The Kirby Ensemble presents a concert of Ludwig von Beethoven's String Quartet Op 18, No 4 and Robert Schumann's Piano Quintet in Eb, Op 44

The Kirby Ensemble:

The Kirby Ensemble was formed out of previous winners and current competitors in the 2022 Schock Chamber Music Competition. The members of the ensemble are all currently studying performance degrees at the University of Cape Town (at the South African College of Music). All five have enjoyed considerable success in competitions, as well as undertaken professional work of an extremely high calibre, given their relative youth. The group was identified by the Cape Chamber Collective as emerging artists, who deserve a platform to perform for the public, over the course of several recitals.

Nicholas Bruiners, violin 1:

Nicholas Bruiners is a fourth year student, studying a BMus in Classical Performance at the University of Cape Town under Professor Farida Bacharova. He is currently leading the University‘s Symphony Orchestra, and led the Symphony Orchestra at the Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival 2022. Nicholas and his chamber music ensembles were awarded first place for the annual Schock Foundation Chamber Music Prize in 2020 and 2021. Nicholas has also taken part in masterclasses with Jan Repko and Daniel Rowland.

Kaitlin Downie, violin 2:

Kaitlin Downie is currently completing her BMus in Classical Performance at the University of Cape Town under Farida Bacharova. In 2018, she was concert master of the Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival Concert Orchestra. In 2021 she took part in and won the UCT Schock Chamber Music Competition playing second violin in Schubert’s String Quartet No. 14 “Death and the Maiden”. In August 2022, she attended Festival Quattro Corde in Sant’Agata, Italy receiving masterclasses and playing in various concerts. 

Micaela Arries, viola:

Micaela Arries is currently a 2nd year BMus Classical Performance student at the University of Cape Town. She is under the instruction of Paula Gabriel. Micaela was part of the Cape Philharmonic Youth Orchestra from 2015-2019. She has recently participated in the UCT Strings Competition where she was a semi-finalist and received the award for best semi-finalist who was not placed as a finalist. She is also the leader of the viola section in the University of Cape Town Symphony Orchestra. 

Ashlin Grobbelaar, cello:

Ashlin Grobbelaar started their musical journey as part of the Mangaung String Programme

in Bloemfontein and is currently studying with Graham du Plessis at the University of Cape

Town. They lead the cello section of the UCT Symphony Orchestra and they are also the

current principal cellist of the MIAGI Youth Orchestra and the South African National Youth

Orchestra. Ashlin plays regularly as an ad-hoc cellist with the Cape Philharmonic

Orchestra. They recently participated in the UCT Strings Competition where they were

placed as a runner-up. In addition to being an active chamber and orchestral musician Ashlin strives to create opportunities to make music education more accessible to those of a similar background to them.

Gerhard Joubert, piano:

Gerhard Joubert is a 3rd year BMus (Piano performance) student of Prof. François du Toit at the University of Cape Town. In September 2021, he recorded the Schumann Piano Concerto with maestro Bernhard Gueller and the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra. Gerhard is a laureate of many national music competitions, including first prizes in the Johann Vos (2019) and the Pieter Kooij (2018) Competitions. He also received the first prize in Pretoria at the Atterbury National Piano Competition held during October 2021 and received the Laura Searle Prize for Piano Concerto Playing in November 2021. In December 2021, Gerhard received the first prize and other special awards at the National Youth Music Competion after performing Liszt’s first piano concerto with the Cape Philharmonic. Recent performances include a sold-out solo recital in the Baxter Concert Hall on 12 February 2022.

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