b'Buskaid Soweto String EnsembleBuskaid was founded by Rosemary Nalden in January 1997 in response to requests from the local community in Diepkloof, Soweto. Initially the organisation consisted of fifteen members of another Diepkloof Project and a few new beginners. It currently comprises approximately 120 students, all of whom are drawn from the less privileged local community. Since 2002, the Music School has run a teacher-training course for all its students; currently twelve senior Buskaid members are employed as highly skilled string teachers, working alongside Rosemary Nalden and Sonja Bass, Buskaids cello and double bass teacher. Over the past 23 years, Buskaid has produced a string ensemble with a formidable reputation for high standards of performance and a sophisticated grasp of musical style. The Ensemble has toured internationally 26 times, and highlights include performances in prestigious venues throughout Europe, the USA, and New Zealand; appearances at the City of London, Cheltenham, and New Haven International Festivals; a highly acclaimed performance at the 2007 BBC Promenade Concerts, and a tour of Syria in 2010. In 2009, Buskaid was named by the UKs Gramophone Magazine as one of the worlds ten most inspirational orchestras, alongside such orchestras as the London Symphony Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic.The Ensemble has played six times under the baton of Sir John Eliot Gardiner, and in collaboration with Melvyn Tan, Bernarda Fink, Steven Isserlis, and Karl Jenkins. It performed several times in the presence of the late former President Nelson Mandela, for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and HRH Prince Charles, for President princetonsymphony.org / 4'