WeeklySA_AdminPASSION: Nelson Mandela University music student Mathew Draai will represent South Africa at the prestigious British Isles Music Festival in the United Kingdom this month, where he hopes to demonstrate that local young musicians can compete with the world’s finest…
By Own Correspondents
When fourth-year Nelson Mandela University Bachelor of Music (BMus) student Mathew Draai takes to the stage at the prestigious British Isles Music Festival (BIMF) in the United Kingdom this month, he will carry more than his sheet music.
He will also carry the hopes of showcasing South African musical excellence on one of the world’s respected classical music platforms.
The festival, taking place from July 14 to 22, brings together outstanding young musicians from more than 25 countries for an intensive programme of performances, masterclasses and coaching led by internationally acclaimed artists.
For Draai, being selected is both a personal achievement and an opportunity to represent the quality of musical training emerging from Nelson Mandela University and the Eastern Cape.
“It is a massive honour, but also a responsibility I take seriously,” he said. “Nelson Mandela University has a vibrant, deeply dedicated Department of Music and Performing Arts, and taking that name to the UK is a chance to showcase the level of artistry and training emerging from South Africa and the Eastern Cape. I want to show that our musicians can stand shoulder to shoulder with young artists from anywhere in the world.” Draai will perform an ambitious programme featuring solo, duet and chamber works, including Chopin’s Ballade No. 3, Schumann’s Three Fantasy Pieces for Piano and Clarinet, Op. 73 and Shostakovich’s Piano Trio No. 1—a repertoire that highlights both his technical ability and collaborative musicianship.
His journey to the festival began with an audition recording of Rachmaninoff’s Prelude in G minor, Op. 23, No. 5, a work he had previously performed during one of the university’s lunchtime concerts. Encouraged by his lecturers, particularly pianist Kobus Buys, Draai decided to audition despite knowing the competition would be intense.
“I told myself that even if I wasn’t accepted, I would at least have tried,” he said.
“Receiving the acceptance email, along with news that I had been awarded a bursary, was incredibly exciting and a real validation of the work I’ve put in.” The celebration, however, was short-lived. “Right after that initial high, my mind went straight into gear, thinking about the repertoire and realising just how much work I had ahead of me before getting on the plane.”
Preparing for an international festival has required careful planning. Alongside hours of daily practice, Draai has also been completing an original composition and his fourth-year research treatise.
“My preparation has had to be incredibly strategic,” he said. “I’ve spent a lot of time studying the scores away from the piano to build a clear mental picture of the music while making sure I’m physically prepared for the demands of the coaching sessions and performances.”
Audiences at the festival can expect a programme rich in contrast, moving from the lyrical Romanticism of Chopin and Schumann to the rhythmic energy and complexity of Shostakovich.
Draai says chamber music has become one of his greatest passions. “Performing in an ensemble is like having a live conversation without words, and that’s something I find incredibly rewarding.”
His musical journey began in a family steeped in music. His late grandfather played in church, one aunt is a retired piano teacher, while another serves as a church organist with whom he still performs regularly. Head of Nelson Mandela University’s Department of Music and Performing Arts, Dr Rudi Bower, said international opportunities such as the British Isles Music Festival are invaluable in developing young artists.
“Mathew is a diligent and highly focused musician who actively seeks opportunities to challenge himself and grow,” Bower said.
“International experiences such as these expose students to new influences, allow them to measure themselves against global standards and contribute meaningfully to their artistic development.”
Bower added that the department’s growing international reputation is further reflected by the selection of four Nelson Mandela University students for this year’s Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival. Looking beyond the festival, Draai hopes the experience will broaden his artistic horizons while helping him establish himself as both a soloist and collaborative pianist.
“I want this experience to solidify my career as a versatile performer. Engaging with different musical traditions and perspectives will give me fresh insights that I can bring back home. Ultimately, I hope to use what I learn to continue raising my own standards and one day contribute to developing the next generation of South African pianists and music educators.”
