Members of the Stellenbosch University Music Students Organisation (MuSO) recently hosted a fundraising concert. The proceeds of the concert were donated to the family of Justen Hosken, a Stellenbosch University (SU) music student who recently passed away. This is according to Nina Fourie-Gouws, a guitar lecturer at SU’s music department, via email correspondence with MatieMedia.
After completing his BMus at Stellenbosch University, Justen Hosken had planned to “obtain his Master’s degree in classical guitar performance abroad”, according to Fiona Grayer, the artistic manager at the Stellenbosch University (SU) department of music and Konservatorium. Captured from left to right is Dillon Cornelius, Joshua America, Kyle Vollenhoven, Rorisang Rampitsang, Brent January, Damian Christians and Justen Hosken taken after his solo concert at the 2021 Stellenbosch Konservatorium Guitar Festival, according to Nina Fourie-Gouws, guitar lecturer at SU’s music department. SOURCED/Nina Fourie-Gouws
Justen Hosken passed away after a car accident on 10 March 2022. Hosken and his wife, Lee-Ann Hosken, were on their way home from Hermanus when the accident happened. Justen Hosken was 27 years old and a final year BMus student at SU.
The event was held on 4 June in the SU Fismer Hall. Guitar students from the university, the Stellenbosch Guitar Quartet and guest artist Michael George, with accompanist Elna van der Merwe, performed at the concert to pay tribute to Hosken, stated Fourie-Gouws. About 70 people attended the event, and a substantial amount raised from the ticket proceeds were donated to the Justen Hosken Memorial Fund, said Fourie Gouws.
According to Fourie-Gouws, the Justen Hosken Memorial Fund was created by Lee-Ann Hosken in the week following the accident for coverage of her husband’s medical bills.
“After the [car] accident, Justen had to undergo major surgery, leaving huge medical bills due to hospitalisation and surgical costs,” explained Fourie-Gouws.
The Stellenbosch Guitar Quartet, a guitar orchestra consisting of SU guitar students and alumni, and electric-guitar soloists, performed at the recent fundraising concert. This is according to Nina Fourie-Gouws, a guitar lecturer at SU’s music department. Captured is Marius Otto, a final year BMus student, in rehearsal for his performance in the Justen Hosken Memorial Concert. VIDEO: Chelsea Burnell
Recognising talent
The Justen Hosken Memorial Concert gave local musicians an opportunity to be recognised for their talents, according to Lee-Ann Hosken.
“There are so many amazing artists and bands stuck in small dark places,” stated Hosken. “They need to start being recognised and appreciated for how good they are.”
Marius Otto, a SU BMus final year student, studied withHosken and performed at his memorial concert.
Otto emphasised the importance of acknowledging the musical abilities of local musicians because he had seen how the recognition of Hosken’s talents had, “driven Hosken in his music career”.
“I imagine this [recognition] must have motivated him to feel that he could make a success of his music,” stated Otto.
“I wanted to be part of this concert because I knew [Hosken] personally,” said Otto. “He deserved to be honoured because he was what they call a phenomenon.”
The Justen Hosken Memorial concert took place in the SU Fismer Hall within the Konservatorium. It was held in honour of the late Justen Hosken who, in addition to his music studies, was the group leader of the Cape Town band Rabbit Black, according to his wife Lee-Ann Hosken. PHOTO: Chelsea Burnell
Supporting local talent
Before his passing, Hosken had “performed with numerous local artists” and had supported local venues in Cape Town with live performances. This is according to Fiona Grayer, artistic manager at the SU department of music and Konservatorium, via email correspondence with MatieMedia.
“Justen was an avid performer and made regular appearances in venues such as Stellenbrau Brewery … the Barrel Village Pub in Franschhoek, The Palms Pub & Grill in Brackenfell and DORP Bar in Stellenbosch,” stated Grayer.
According to Grayer, supporting the live, local music scene like Justen previously did, is the best way to contribute towards a successful music industry in South Africa.
“Live music makes up over 50% of total revenues in the music industry,” stated Grayer. These revenues are mainly derived mainly from sales of tickets to live performances, she said.
Justen Hosken passed away a week after the accident that both him and his wife, [Lee-Ann Hosken] were in earlier this year, according to Lee-Ann Hosken. AUDIO: Chelsea Burnell