Jeppe High School for Girls was approached in 2005 by Victoria Bennett, a Kensington resident, to host a music competition in memory of her late father, Philip H Moore. Victoria’s idea was to provide an event where soloists could participate in something other than an eisteddfod or exam. With the expertise and dedication of both Elize Kruger and Bevan Graham, two Music teachers at the school, the Philip H Moore Music Competition for Classic Soloists was launched in 2006. Victoria and her mother,   Norma, fund and assist in the administration of the competition.

The 2006 competition saw many contestants of varying degrees of ability participating but now draws the best musicians that this area has to offer with contestants from diverse cultures and backgrounds participating.


 
The 2008 competition was administered by Elize Kruger and Henning Rust, both highly acclaimed musicians in their own right.  The standard of the competition was extremely high with finalists in piano, recorder, violin, cello and voice. The runner-up in most cases was a mere fraction of a percentage behind the winner.  Adjudicators Truida van der Walt, Anneke Lamont, Kutlwano Masote and Amanda Low had the gruelling task of judging the individual performances.  Most programs were performed from memory and dazzling technique and articulation was the order of the evening with the interpretation of the various programs being sound and emotionally moving.



2009 was the fourth consecutive year that Jeppe High School for Girls hosted the Philip H Moore Music Competition. Contestants ranged in age from 7 to 22 years and this year the competition attracted musicians from as far a field as Cape Town and Kwa-Zulu Natal.

The preliminary rounds for the 19-22 year old age group were adjudicated by Truida van der Walt (Piano) and Dr Fanie Jooste (Woodwind). The judges were delighted with the extremely high quality of performance by the contestants. Going through to the Finals were Julia Hong (Piano), Mart-Marie Snyman (Piano), Christopher Vale (Voice) and Stephan du Toit (Piano). 

The final evening on Friday 18 September was a spectacular gala event with soloists in piano, recorder, violin, saxophone and voice. Before the first finalist came on stage, the benefactor of the competition, Victoria Bennet, surprised the Headmistress and the audience with a brand new Yamaha Grand Piano which she and Norma Moore donated to the school. In accepting the generous gift, Ms Slabber thanked Victoria on behalf of the school and the music department and reaffirmed what an honour it was to host the Philip Moore Music competition.