'It all started with the recorder

TWO conductors, two Durban orchestras, and both coming out of the same Cape Town church recorder group. For both their first recording was in the church choir singing Christmas carols.

- FRANK CHEMALY

The city is blessed to have the talents of Chad Hendricks, resident conductor of the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra and Charl van der Merwe, principal bassoonist in the KZNPO and leader of the Durban City Orchestra.

The Independent on Saturday caught up with the two friends ahead of the start of the orchestra’s new season next week. It was Hendricks who persuaded van der Merwe to make the move to Durban when the principal bassoon seat was on offer, a move he has never regretted. And vice versa last year when Lyk Temming retired as the resident conductor.

Hendricks, who studied trumpet, relished the move last November. “It’s a great change of pace and the city has a different feel. It suits my style. It also has great potential and so many untapped projects. I feel I can contribute and make an impact.”