Trio Joie de Vivre, comprised of André Oosthuizen (flute), Catrien Wentink (piano), and Liesl van der Merwe (bassoon), is a distinguished ensemble with roots at North-West University, South Africa. Established in 2018, the trio made their debut at renowned national arts festivals, featuring compositions by Devienne, Von Weber, and Gershwin, showcasing André Oosthuizen’s innovative arrangements and their commitment to musical excellence.
In 2019, their repertoire expanded to encompass works by Vivaldi, Haydn, Glinka, Schoenfield, Piazzolla, and Gardel, reflecting their versatility and dedication to diverse musical genres.
In 2021, Trio Joie de Vivre unveiled “Joyful Journey” as part of the NWU School of Music’s concert series, emphasizing their innovative approach to musical expression. This performance featured the world premiere of Rev Prof June-Boyce Tillman’s composition, “Forgiveness Journey,” which was also performed at the Music Spirituality and Wellbeing Conference: “Fostering Wellbeing in Times of Global Crisis,” hosted by Boston University, USA.
The year 2022 witnessed the trio on a captivating tour with “Joyful Dances,” bringing their dynamic performances to diverse audiences.
In 2023, they collaborated with another ensemble for the “Trio x2” concert, captivating NWU concert series attendees with their exceptional musical prowess.
Trio Joie de Vivre’s commitment to musical scholarship transcends borders. They collaborated in a groundbreaking Plastique Animée with Polish Eurhythmics colleagues at the 6th International Conference of Dalcroze Studies (ICDS) in Pittsburgh, USA. At ICDS6, they also presented research papers on their innovative rehearsal strategies, namely using Laban’s effort-actions and Dalcroze Eurhythmics to learn, interpret and improve ensemble communication and interaction.
Following the success of the performance at ICDS6, they joined forces with the Eurhythmics Ensemble at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm, Sweden, for a performance at the 36th World Conference for the International Society for Music Education in Helsinki, Finland.
With a shared passion for music and an unwavering commitment to spreading artistic joy, Trio Joie de Vivre continues to captivate and inspire audiences with its harmonious melodies and scholarly approach to the art of music.
For further information about Trio Joie de Vivre at the School of Music, please contact Prof Liesl van der Merwe.
