Durban — The idiom ‘like mother, like daughter(s)’ is well suited for Glynnis Jones, a bassoon player from Kloof, her daughter Laila Jones and step-daughter Neena Ziemba, who all share a common interest: classical music.
The three are established members of the Durban City Orchestra (DCO).
Laila, 15, plays the oboe, from the double-reed woodwind family of instruments like her mom’s bassysounding bassoon, and Neena, 16, is able to conjure an array of sounds on the violin.
When they come together with instruments in hand, it’s usually a “fun and exciting” symphony of sound.
On Sunday, Glynnis, 56, and her daughters will perform at the DCO’s Concerti Festival at Northlands Bowling Club in Durban North from 3pm.
Their next gig in their current run of performances with the DCO is scheduled for the St Agnes’ Church in Kloof, next Sunday.
Laila will deliver a “bright” sounding solo rendition (Marcello’s Oboe Concerto in D Minor) on Sunday.
She said performing for an audience was exhilarating and entertaining.
“It is like sitting in the audience but only better.”
Butterflies never flutter in Neena’s stomach when she’s performing.
“It’s better together with the others, playing music for the audience’s enjoyment,” she said.
While the trio are amateurs playing for the love of music, they understand the importance of constant practice, which enables them to hit the right chords at each performance.
“Practice helps you to be consistent and achieve the next level. I think it’s a very wonderful and positive experience because the more time you put in, the better you become and the more fun you have,” said Glynnis, who broke into the music world as a saxophonist.
“I’m an adult learner of music: I started on the saxophone when I was 40. In the 1980s, Kenny G was a big hit and much of his music included the sax. I enjoyed the sound of it. That’s how I developed an interest in playing it.”
After overcoming stage fright, she played the sax in some small groups in her neighbourhood. She thought it was a good idea to switch to playing the woodwind instrument after being given the bassoon parts to play on her sax during some gigs.
About five years ago she became the orchestra’s committed bassoonist. To establish herself she began by hiring the instrument from the Durban Music School (DMS), an NPO that empowers youngsters from disadvantaged backgrounds.
“They’re a phenomenal, very helpful institution and I was able to take lessons from them. Without DMS, I’d have not been able to play it because it’s not a very-easy-to-find type of instrument.”
Glynnis was invited by the orchestra to play the bassoon.
“My response was I wasn’t ready, and I only joined the following year.”
Glynnis, a vet by profession, and her daughters practise with the orchestra once a week to be in tune for four seasons of concerts each year.
The orchestra’s repertoire includes classical and contemporary music.
“This season we’re playing classical stuff. Last season we did a lot of movie music and we’ve also done drama and popular music.”
She doesn’t have a favourite piece because each has a different feel to it.
About having three musicians at home, she said they practised at different times or used different places in their house, so they did not step on each other’s toes, but when they play together, its “fun”.
“We’re on the same team, after all,” she said.
Neena said she was at ease playing classical or contemporary pieces on her violin, but classical was her preference.
“People are usually shocked when they hear I’m with an orchestra because of my age.”
Her affinity for music gained rhythm when at age 10 she took violin classes. When she was 12 she made the KZN Youth Orchestra and she joined the DCO last year.
Neena prefers to continue playing music as a hobby. If ever she misses her beat while performing, she knows to keep going and even if the conductor gives her the beady eye.
Laila, who, like Neena, is homeschooled, said it was rare for her to go out of sync, but she knew to take it in her stride.
She started playing music at the age of 9 through the influence of her music teacher and has been hooked on the oboe ever since.
While she’s comfortable with all genres, classical music is her preferred beat.
“I’d like to pursue music professionally in the future,” she said.
They all concurred that dad (Mike) was “fantastic for morale and financial support.
“We are very lucky like that.”
Independent on Saturday