The other part of the duelling duo brothers in the 2024 National Youth Music Competition (NYMC) is the 15-year-old Quinn Goliath from Loevenstein in Cape Town.

This year will be his maiden participation in the prestigious competition. As his older brother, Kian, is playing the saxophone.

According to the budding star, his practising time varies. It is normally between 45 and 60 minutes. “If I want to perfect a piece or a section, I will practice 60 to 90 minutes,” he says.

The learner of Stellenberg High School started playing the piano at the age of 7. Three years later he switched to the saxophone under the tutelage of Liam Burden who still is his saxophone teacher. Initially, he took lessons for both instruments. Two years ago, he stopped the piano lessons to concentrate on his favourite instrument, the saxophone.

He describes his music-playing style as the colour red. This represents a way where he can quickly change the emotions of the music from a romantic and calm section to a sudden aggressive and joking mood.

Quinn’s strategy for the 2024 NYMC is to put in enough hours of practice and slowly work through pieces to ensure the smallest of mistakes are fixed. “The night before the performance, I will already start to focus and put all distractions aside. When it is time to play in the competition, I am just going to enjoy the moment and do the best I can,” he says, smiling.

Japanese composer, Ryo Noda, is his favourite composer. “I love the way he explores the saxophone in his pieces. He finds ways of playing that no other would ever think of. This makes him a very unique composer,” he explains.

Naturally, he included a work by the composer in his competition repertoire.

Apart from music, the talented star participates in athletics, rugby and chess. He also likes watching movies or shows.

He describes himself as outgoing with the motto: Treat people how you want to be treated.

On completion of his schooling, Quinn has it all worked out. He wants to become an architect or an accountant. “If that doesn’t work out, I will turn to my musical talents and become a musician,” the confident young musician says.