The Hugo Kauder Society’s mission is to foster awareness and appreciation for the work of Viennese composer Hugo Kauder (1888-1972), to create opportunities for emerging musicians to gain wider exposure, and to provide the audience with the unique opportunity to be present at premieres of Kauder’s musical works.

Hugo Kauder arrived in the United States as a refugee in 1940 and many of his works have not been performed publicly as yet. Yet Kauder’s Legacy of over 300 works with his unique contrapuntal style is receiving renewed interest today, and several pieces performed in this competition will be world or US premieres.

Praised for his crystal-like tone and musical individualty, Cobus du Toit is fast establishing himself as one of the leading flutists of his generation. The flutist has already won numerous competitions, which include the Unisa Performers Licentiate Competition and the Samro International Music Scholarship Competition.

His performances as a soloist include the KwaZulu Natal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra. He held the principle position in the National Youth Orchestra of South Africa which performed at the Beethoven Festival in Bonn. While in Germany, Cobus performed at noted venues such as the Berlin Phiharmonie under conductor Herbert Blomstedt.

Cobus holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Pretoria where he studied flute under Prof John Hinch. He is currently studying towards a Master’s degree from the University of Colorado in the USA, where he studies under Christina Jennings.