Cape Philharmonic Orchestra

The Cape Philharmonic Orchestra is one of only three full-time professional symphony orchestras in South Africa and continues a long and proud history of symphonic music since Cape Town’s first symphony orchestra was formed in 1914. South Africa’s “orchestra for all seasons” is a financially and culturally sustainable, multi-functional orchestra delivering a world-class musical experience to all communities of the Western Cape. Apart from traditional symphony concerts presented in the historic City Hall, it also performs at the Artscape Theatre Centre with Cape Town Opera and Cape Town City Ballet. Further engagements include performances with visiting musicians, “symphonic pops” concerts for special occasions and constant collaboration with community musicians and choirs. This adds up to some 140 performances per year. The orchestra recently returned from a highly successful concert tour in the USA.

The orchestra runs a community outreach programme that includes two youth orchestras, the Cape Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (CPYO) and the Cape Philharmonic Youth Wind Ensemble (CPYWE), as well as the Masidlale Project, a grassroots classical music training academy in the townships. The CPYO and CPYWE were launched in 2004 and aim to transfer skills and create jobs. The CPO believes music bridges the gap between diverse cultures.