Chamber Orchestra of South Africa

The Chamber Orchestra of South Africa (COSA) is the country's leading professional group of performing musicians and the only professional symphony orchestra based in Pretoria, Tshwane. COSA is a Section 21 company that was founded and is owned by the musicians of the orchestra.

COSA is managed by a board of directors with the CEO, Piet Moolman, carrying out the day to day management of the orchestra. An artistic committee sets programmes and events. Gregor Heidemann assists with fundraising and marketing.

The founding of the Chamber Orchestra of South Africa on April 30, 2000 created a stir of excitement among music lovers in Gauteng and surroundings. From the start COSA concerts have been regarded as exciting happenings. A reputation for quality has been established.

In 2002 COSA was invited to be resident at the University of Pretoria.

Since its inception COSA has completed several successful series of concerts at the theatres of the University of Pretoria, UNISA, RAU and the Linder Auditorium in Johannesburg. COSA has also performed in North West Province and in Mpumalanga .

Apart from regular symphony concerts COSA also plays for ballet and opera productions and makes recordings. COSA recently played for the Black Tie Ensemble production of Cavalleria Rusticana and I Pagliacci and for the Opera Africa production of Bellini's Romeo & Juliet .

Since 2002 COSA was chosen to accompany the finalists of all the national and international musical and voice competitions at Unisa.

Although COSA often works without a conductor, it has collaborated with a number of internationally recognized conductors such as Carlo Franci, Gérard Korsten, Arjan Tien and Conrad van Alphen .

The orchestra's performances are regularly broadcast by Classic FM, SAFM and FMR.

The Chamber Orchestra of South Africa aims to present works by South African composers and has performed world premieres of the works of some of South Africa 's foremost composers such as Stefans Grové, Allan Stephenson, Hendrik Hofmeyr and Peter McLea. Internationally acclaimed singer Sibongile Khumalo chose COSA to accompany her on her first “classical music” CD which includes Haya, Mntwan' Omkhulu for solo voice and orchestra by Princess Magogo arranged by Mzilikazi Khumalo and orchestrated by Peter Klatzow. The CD was released in 2005.

COSA has performed with some excellent internationally acclaimed soloists including Anton Nel (piano), Leon Bosch (double-bass), Robert Pickup (clarinet), Eva Mei (soprano), Pieter Schoeman (violin), and the piano duo Nettle & Markham.

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