The Swartberg Music Salon” (SMS)

Prince Albert is proud and excited to present “The Swartberg Music Salon” (SMS) in collaboration with the Prince Albert Community Trust (PACT) and the ARCO Project. This new and unique chamber music festival will take place from 1 – 4 August and is set to add to this little town’s growing number of musical accolades. Also in 2024, Prince Albert and PACT welcome the initiation of the ARCO Project, a music programme for Early Child Development and instrumental teaching. ARCO was started in 2015 by Louise Lansdown, a South African violist, educator and philanthropist based in the UK at the Royal Northern College of Music (Manchester), Yehudi Menuhin School (London) and the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.

The weekend will headline some of South Africa’s most highly regarded musicians including violinists Zanta Hofmeyr and Samson Diamond, violists Louise Lansdown and Jeanne-Louise Moolman, cellist Susan Mouton, pianist Elna van der Merwe, and UK double bassist Anthony Alcock. Trio Vulgaris including violists Emile de Roubaix, Jan Hendrik-Harley and double bassist Mariechen Meyer will also be featured. The weekend will offer intensive chamber music training with the above top string players and pianists. Performance opportunities and individual master classes will also be offered to those selected to participate. The weekend is all about young people from across the region coming together to share and experience music. It will be a celebration of chamber music, filled with inspiring Karoo flavoured concerts held across venues in Prince Albert.

There will be opportunities for local musicians to perform, sing, attend workshops, experience and hear new musical instruments and come together with oceans of new people who love music. SMS will be held annually and will attract people from across the country to Prince Albert showcasing its rich musical heritage, initiatives and musical talent. The streets and homes of Prince Albert will be ringing with the sound of music for these four days!