STAD Modern Symphonic
Join STAD – Building Something New for Cape Town Musicians
Lemisa is putting together a new orchestra that will meet once a week with the aim of performing regular concerts in the greater Cape Town area.
The idea is simple: to create opportunities for musicians to play works we don’t often get the chance to perform — big symphonies and major pieces that inspire us as players, but also pop stuff and film score works like Ennio Moricone's, Hans Zimmer and Max Richter. Cool stuff like John Cage, Steve Reich, Phillip Glass and whatever else we collectively feel like doing. Because we can do what we want :)
Mahler, Shostakovich, Stravinsky, Nielsen for example are rarely performed outside of our national orchestras. With only about 100 full-time orchestral positions in South Africa, the vast majority of musicians never get to experience this repertoire at a high level. We want to change that.
What We’re Building
- Musicians will be paid competitive rates for performances — helping to build a more sustainable path for our community.
- We’ll create a space to grow, where seasoned players can tackle major works and younger musicians can gain the kind of experience they need to confidently step into professional settings.
- The orchestra will also act as a focal point for the many talented musicians in and around Cape Town who want to keep challenging themselves while connecting with others.
This is about more than concerts — it’s about elevating our musical lives and creating a place where serious music-making and community go hand-in-hand.
Who Can Join
We’re inviting all players at Grade 7 level and above to come and be part of this journey.
- Rehearsals: Wednesday evenings, 6:00–9:00 PM
- Venues: To be announced soon
We’ll read through and prepare major works with the goal of bringing them to the stage for local audiences — and for our own growth as musicians.
More Opportunities Coming Soon
Alongside the orchestra, Lemisa is starting:
- A hybrid Jazz ensemble to explore new arrangements and original works each week.
- A String ensemble particularly for commercial engagements
- A Saturday morning horn ensemble, focused on chamber playing and skill-building for horn players of all ages.
Be Part of the Start
If you’ve been craving a chance to play challenging repertoire, connect with other musicians, and grow your skills, we’d love to have you with us.
This isn’t just another orchestra — it’s a step toward creating something that supports musicians and inspires audiences. Let’s build it together.
STAD Modern Symphonic
For musicians. For growth. For the music we love.