Darling Music Experience

Darling Music Experience

The little village tucked away between hills of vineyards and golden wheat fields, the heartbeat of the West Coast region, Darling. With horsemen riding throught the streets, gaggles of geese foraging freely, traditional brass bands playing during funeral processions, lovingly restored Victorian homes and ancient trees, Darling is the ideal setting for a getaway that promises serenity, nature, culture and much more.

2006 saw the launch of a series of small concerts in a rural setting aimed at both lovers of classical and more popular music. The name of the series, The Darling Music Experience. Three men, conductor David Tidboald, composer Hendrik Hofmeyr and music enthusiast Alfred Legner, got together and birthed the project which has become an annual event in the small west coast town.

Each year a top local composer is commissioned to write a piece especially for the festival this then provides the Darling Music Experience with the opertunity to nurture and showcase the exceptional talent we have in our country. South African born German pianist Andreas Kern provides all the artistic directorship ensuring that the variety of music on offer is of the highest quality and includes a good mix of classical and contemporary chamber music, popular choir works and Jazz. The Darling Music Experience also brings community ensembles and soloists together with well known national and international musicians.

The venues for the concerts vary between pretty wine estates, Darlings lovely old Presbyterian Church, village barns, and even a Vlei. Delicious local food and the well known Darling wines play an integral role in the Darling Music Experience and enhances the whole experience for you, the concertgoer.

In an attempt to ensure that the whole family is catered for, the organisers have also introduced the Darling Music Experience Musical Rally for the kids, which is a fun event, encouraging them to use their ears as eyes.

The organisers have stated that their intentions in a nutshell are to freshen the image of classical music and increase its accessibility to all sectors of the West Coast, Cape Town and beyond and to celebrate the good things in life.

Please note that profits from ticket sales and donations will go to the music education initiative DARLING MUSIC FOR ALL / DARLING MUSIEK VIR ALMAL for music tuition, the purchase of instruments and the funding of scholarships.

But with that many people visiting the small town and that much music on offer it goes without saying that the people of Darling would make it a festival weekend full of events and West Coast hospitality.
What else is on in Darling?
Artist Nicolaas Maritz exhibits at the Maritz Studio Gallery, Sithandwa Evita se Perron, the !Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre, the Darling Museum, the Darling Golf Club, music at The Bethlehem Crusaders on Main Street, Crush Day at Darling Cellars, Music Festival Smoothies at Chicory Cheese Cafe, Compose your own picnic at the Marmalade Cat, and olive tasting at Darling Olives.

The 2012 Darling Music Experience will be taking place from 3 February to 12 February 2012.

For more information and future dates please contact:
Alfred
Tel: +27-72-0151653
Or email: info@darlingmusic.org

Directions to Darling from Cape Town

Drive through Bloubergstrand and follow the West Coast Road (R27) past Melkbostrand and Koeberg until you reach the Atlantis / Mamre turn off. Turn right, drive past Atlantis and continue until you reach a T-junction. Turn left, following the sign that says Mamre / Darling. Drive past Mamre and continue until you reach Darling.

Should you choose not to turn right at the Atlantis / Mamre turnoff, you can continue along the coastal road (R27) until you see the Yzerfontein / Darling sign. Turn right and continue until you reach Darling.