Symphonic Gala: An evening where music creates opportunity
On Saturday, 1 August 2026, the Endler Hall at Stellenbosch University’s Konservatorium will host The Symphonic Gala – an evening of music, masquerade and impact, a fundraising gala celebrating the power of music to create opportunities, strengthen communities, and make music education visible.
Presented by Making Music Education Visible (MusEdVi), the gala will feature performances by the Winelands Philharmonic Orchestra and the Stellenbosch Youth Orchestra, while raising funds to expand access to meaningful music education for young people and strengthen music education initiatives in schools and communities.
MusEdVi
Music education does more than develop musicians. It nurtures creativity, confidence, discipline, collaboration, and a sense of belonging. Yet for many young people, opportunities to access quality music education remain limited, and the work of music educators often goes unseen.
MusEdVi is a social impact initiative of Stellenbosch University’s Department of Music that seeks to address this. By connecting the University with schools, communities, and cultural partners, MusEdVi creates meaningful opportunities through music education and helps make the value and impact of music education more visible.
Through collaborative projects, school partnerships, teacher support, learner development, and authentic teaching experiences for university students, MusEdVi demonstrates how music education can contribute to educational excellence, social inclusion, and community development. Its initiatives connect university students, schools, teachers, and community partners through performances, educational programmes, and collaborative music-making that create lasting opportunities for young people.
Rather than viewing music education as confined to the classroom, MusEdVi celebrates music as a catalyst for learning, connection, and opportunity.
More than a Concert
The Symphonic Gala embodies this vision. Guests will be welcomed to an elegant black-tie masquerade evening, beginning with a reception accompanied by a live string quartet. The evening will continue with a symphonic performance by the Winelands Philharmonic Orchestra and the Stellenbosch Youth Orchestra, followed by refreshments, live jazz, exclusive auction experiences, and raffle prizes.
Every aspect of the evening has been designed to celebrate musical excellence while creating opportunities for others to experience the life-changing value of music education.
“The Symphonic Gala is more than a fundraising event,” says Danell Herbst-Müller, lecturer in Music Education at Stellenbosch University and founder of MusEdVi.
“It celebrates what music education makes possible. Every ticket purchased and every contribution made helps us create opportunities for young people, supports teachers and schools, and enables university students to learn through meaningful community engagement. When we invest in music education, we invest in people.”
Future
Funds raised through The Symphonic Gala will support MusEdVi’s expanding music education initiatives, enabling more learners to participate in meaningful musical experiences, strengthening partnerships with schools and communities, and creating authentic experiential learning opportunities for future music educators.
The evening also celebrates the collective role that universities, schools, orchestras, community organisations, and supporters play in ensuring that music education remains accessible, relevant, and visible.
Event Details
The Symphonic Gala – An Evening of Music, Masquerade & Impact
Date: Saturday, 1 August 2026
Time: 18:00 for 18:30
Venue: Endler Hall, Stellenbosch University Konservatorium
Dress: Black Tie | Masquerade
Tickets: R350 via Webtickets
For more information:
📧 siyavelamf@gmail.com
📧 bixa@sun.ac.za