Friends of Music is a Non-Profit Organisation which was founded by Durban patron of the arts Dr. Vera Dubin in 1983. Her intention was to stage regular classical music recitals in an environment more intimate than a huge concert hall.

For the past 35 years the organisation has provided a platform for solo and chamber music artists to display their talents to Durban audiences. The very best of local, national and international performers have graced our stages and have provided world class entertainment for our discerning music lovers.

Friends of Music is also dedicated to the development of new and promising talent. To that end the organisation runs a Prelude Performer programme where young and up-and-coming musicians from all backgrounds are given a 12-minute curtain raiser slot prior to the appearance of our main artists at all our recitals to showcase their ability. Not only does this give them the invaluable experience of performing on a professional stage and before a discerning audience, but they also receive a handsome fee to put towards their music lessons or instrument up-keep.

We are also of the belief that we need to support those who support us. As a result, on an annual basis we involve ourselves, both financially and by providing expertise, to both the Beth Shalom fund raising concert and the SASMT (South African Society of Music Teachers) Rising Stars concert, which features the best of their music students for the given year.

Friends of Music relies heavily on our funders, sponsors and donors for support to meet the not inconsiderable costs of staging these recitals.
Ticket prices have been kept deliberately low to ensure that the music is accessible to all members of the community. Currently ticket prices are R100 for members and R120 for non-members and R20 for students and orchestra members. Membership to society is currently R50 per annum.

Friends of Music Aims for 2019

Monthly Recitals
Friends of Music aims to stage a recital once a month in 2019. Due to the increasing costs our aim is to give more local artists the opportunity to perform at our recitals. We also hope to uncover new talent who will benefit from the development opportunity of performing for Friends Of Music.

Prelude Performers
We hope to cast our net far and wide to uncover the best talent available in our province, from all backgrounds, with the purpose of assisting with the development and growth, not only individuals, but also with this genre of music in KZN.

Rising Stars
Friends of Music will continue its collaboration with the South African Society of Music Teachers (SASMT) to present the annual The Rising Stars recital each year. This recital features young musicians and singers chosen by their music teachers who are all members of SASMT.

Beth Shalom Old Age Home Fund Raising Concert
We will once again assist financially and logistically in the staging of this hugely popular concert in August.

Collaborations
We hope to continue and strengthen our ties with fellow music associations such as Christopher Duigan’s Music Revival in order to increase our access to musicians and to help with costs and marketing.

I Grandi Tenori
Friends of Music recognises the tremendous work done by the music association called i Grandi Tenori in the development of young opera singers at rural schools. We are committed to assisting them in their endeavors and partnering them in the production of concerts. They are also a productive source of Prelude Performers for our recitals.