Top performers Lira, Danny K, the vocal group Equal Image and soloists Nik Nicolaides and Vera Marie gave their time and talent to support the band and the rafters rang to numbers like The Prayer, Circle of Life and Celebrate Life.

The 50-odd youngsters, aged between 13 and 25 years of age, were over the moon at their reception. “This is so cool,” they enthused at the opportunity to perform with multiple SAMA-winners Lira and Danny K, as well as with Danny K’s band and professional sound and lighting, which was also sponsored.

The performers were also highly impressed with the quality of the Wind Band, under the direction of conductor Etienne Mecloen. “These youngsters are fine musicians,” they said.

The band played some of their own repertoire, but also accompanied the singers, mastering the necessary music in less than a week.

The Johannesburg Symphonic Wind Band, under the title No Strings Attached, will be playing at the Sundowner concert at the National Arts Festival on Sunday, 1 July and giving two concerts in the Cathedral in Grahamstown on Monday, 2 July at 16:00 and Tuesday, 3 July at 17:30.

It is one of the Johannesburg Youth Orchestra Company’s senior ensembles, the other being the larger Johannesburg Youth Orchestra, which includes the strings. Many youngsters play in both and some are also members of the South African National Youth Orchestra.

The company has 10 ensembles in all, including chamber wind and string groups for tertiary students, a jazz band and their foundation and beginner groups in both Parktown and Soweto. Many of the musicians come from the JYOC Development Programme.

For more information, see www.jyoc.org.za.