Letters •

Dear Mr Lourens & Allegretto Staff | 17 August 2015

The Benoni Junior School Choir took part in the Allegretto Eisteddfod on 15 August 2015. What an altogether pleasant experience it was, right from the minute I was greeted at my car by the Allegretto Ambassadors. The whole event was planned with the utmost efficiency, professionalism and attention to detail.

The morning was excellently run with special attention given the reception of choirs, refreshments, allocation of rooms, sign posting, runners fetching participants, professional adjudication and beautiful certificates, not to mention a lovely venue. Mr Lourens’s personal touch and warm and welcoming nature made each participant feel at home. His friendly and efficient staff, with special mention of Trudi van der Walt and Natalie Bibbey, were kind, helpful and professional at all times.

What an altogether delightful experience… a celebration of the performing arts, with top class, multicultural performers, and what a most enjoyable morning we spent at the Allegretto Eisteddfod. Allegretto is definitely an Eisteddfod with a difference… a cut above the rest!

Thank you once again for the privilege to partake in such a top class event.

Kind regards,

Estelle van Aardt
Deputy Principal
Benoni Junior School

Dear Trudi

Wow can I just say that I am thankful for how you guys always come back in such a friendly and efficient manner. Thank you. Please pass this note on to your managers so that they know that you guys are doing a sterling job.

With thanks

Riese Kruger
St.Conrad’s College

Dear Marius

Thank you so much for this mail. We are delighted with our results and thank you for being so professional in your adjudication.

Regards,

Carrie Viljoen
Acting Deputy Head
King Edward VII Preparatory

Dear Marius

May I take this opportunity to thank you for including our school in your Allegretto Eisteddfod and for your many compliments and recognition of our institution. We would be honoured to host your Gala event next year. The Gala event was most entertaining and the hard work that went into the preparation was quite clear. Our boys definitely benefitted from the experience.

Regards,

Carrie Viljoen
Acting Deputy Head
King Edward VII Preparatory

Dear Trudi

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the CEO, you and all the organisers of the 2017 Eisteddfod for the hard work that you have all put in to make this a showcase event. I want to congratulate you all on a job well done.The organisation of such an event is a mammoth task and it was done superbly and professionally. Congratulations! As I said to Mr Lourens on Saturday evening. When one listens to the news, it can be very depressing to hear of all the corruption and crime, but I was so inspired on Saturday night. People and events such as Allegretto, who make a real difference in our leaders of tomorrow, cause us to have hope for a brighter future for our country.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Kind regards
Suritha Kaminsky
Trinityhouse Heritage Hill

Good day

We would like to say well done to Kobus and Marius and everyone else involved, for arranging such a wonderful evening! They put in a lot of effort and time into the event and made it look all so effortless, despite a few hiccups, like the rain. Denica loved the fact that the evening was all about the recipients and was made to feel so special! It has motivated her to excel next year. Can’t wait to see what is install for the next Allegretto Gala evening in 2018!!

Regards
Rene

Dear Sir (Marius Lourens),

I trust this email finds you well.

I would like to thank you for your enthusiasm, encouragement and the amazing way in which you have impacted my daughter, Grace Hieber. You might not be aware of how profoundly positive your influence is on these young people!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the positive experience the Allegretto Eisteddfod has been for us all! The platform for children to have the confidence to be themselves, and to be inspired to work for their dream. I thank you!

You have inspired us all with your gentle demeanor and your vibrancy.

May God shower you with His richest blessings.

Kindest regards and thanks,
Lindi (Gracie se ma)

What can I say, I am really proud of each and every dancer. They were amazing.

Thank you Riese and the judges of Allegretto Regional Eisteddfod. The foundation they are laying for our dancers are amazing!

I will support them again and looking forward to enter more groups.

Dear Allegretto Team,

This will be the third year that we are participating in the Allegretto Eisteddfod. Over the last six years we have participated in many other Eisteddfods and we can say with surety that Allegretto Eisteddfod outsmart them all by far!

The special care, effort and encouragement that are always given to each participant, big or small and the love for the development of each child’s potential is true to the very nature of Allegretto!

My daughter and her friends just absolutely loves participating in Allegretto. They are looking forward in this year to stretch their potential and challenge themselves by participating in the all new categories that Allegretto offers this year!

We are looking forward to another great year of Allegretto Eisteddfod.

Thank you Marius and the Allegretto team for all your efforts and for the love of the arts!

Warm regards,
Elsa van der Merwe

From my first encounter with Allegretto, in 2017, it became evident that this is an organisation that has a passion to see children and young people flourish as they use their gifts and talents. The excellence with which the CEO, Mr Marius Lourens, conducts the business, has led to Allegretto becoming the biggest and best Eisteddfod in South Africa. To participate in Allegretto’s various events, is an honour and every event is a prestigious event. To organise events of this calibre and size, takes dedication, commitment and passion, and all credit goes to Mr Lourens. Through this initiative, he has touched the lives of many and must be commended for the high standard that he maintains, in all these cultural events. In all my dealings with Allegretto IPE, I can testify to the level of professionalism that is maintained, which makes for a pleasant and loyal relationship that will continue for many more years to come.

Congratulations to Allegretto IPE and here’s to saluting you for a job well done, and wishing you greater success and achievements in the years to come!

Warm regards

Suritha Kaminsky
Midrand, Gauteng

Dear Mr Marius Lourens

I would like to compliment you on such a well-organized Eisteddfod, and thank you for the difference you make in the development of arts.
Azalea has been entering Allegretto for the past 3 years and every year she can’t wait for the next season to start. I believe eisteddfods teach her vital skills not only for art but skills that is essential to exceed in life.
Thank you for the platform which teaches her perseverance, planning and how to deal with success and failure. The incentives at the end of the season is a huge encouragement to achieve her goals.

You’ll be seeing a lot more of us in the future.

Kind regards
Izani

Briewe  •

Geagte Trudi en Allegretto Bestuur,

Gun my asseblief ‘n geleentheid om u almal te bedank vir ‘n baie goed georganiseerde Eisteddfod, wat tot op die detail ag slaan en moeite doen.

Ons het onlangs aan nog ‘n Eisteddfod deelgeneem, deur die skool en ek gaan liefs nie die naam noem nie, dit was ook die eerste keer wat ons aan die Eisteddfod deelgeneem het in 2 afdelings.

Ek en my man was verstom oor die wyse waarop hiedie Eisteddfod gedoen was. Daar was bittermin kommunikasie, Program was glad nie op tyd nie, Lokale was sommer net ‘n lokaal, geen moeite met netheid ens nie, daar was soms nie eens genoeg stoele vir almal nie en dit was vuil en deurmekaar. Verder was ons baie teleurgesteld dat hul nie eens die moeite gedoen het om die kinders se name op hul sertifikaat te skryf nie… na elke afdeling is daar sommer super vinnig terugvoer gegeen en kinders het in ‘n bondel om die juffrou gestaan en wag, sertifikaat gevat soos sy uitdeel en geloop…niks een vir een uitroep, simbool gee en darm tyd gee vir hande klap vir almal ens. nie… Regtig so afgerammelde gevoel gekry.
Dus wil ek net sê baie dankie vir julle moeite en detail om ons kinders te laat voel hul oefeninge en voorbereiding word vergoed, ek weet dit is nie nodig om al die ekstra moeite te doen nie, maar julle doen dit tog en ons as ouers wardeer dit.

‘n Spesiale dankie vir Trudie, wat op elke liewe boodskap reageer en alles in haar vermoë doen om vrae te beantwoord en duidelikheid te gee.

Ook ‘n groot dankie dat daar by elke geleentheid iemand by die deur sit, wat jou welkom heet en help met die nodige inligting. Asook dankie vir die snoepie wat by elke geleentheid beskikbaar was, dit maak so middag tog bietjie makliker.

Baie Dankie en Baie Geluk met ‘n Eisteddfod waarop julle kan trots wees!

Mariette Kroukamp (28.08.2018)

Marius so baie dankie vir al jou moeite met reelings en program. Ek waardeer dit opreg. Sterkte ook vir julle met die goeie werk wat julle doen en die geleenthede wat vir ons kinders geskep word.

Groete
Marianne van Dijk
Prestasieskool

Hi daar Trudie en span,

Ek wil net van die geleentheid gebruik maak om vir julle dankie te se vir die moeite en tyd wat julle ingesit het vir my kind en ook al die ander kinders.

Dit was ons eerste jaar by Allegretto en wat ‘n aangename ervaring, nie net vir my nie maar vir my seun ook. Hy het dit so gemaklik gevind dat hy nie eens gehuiwer het om sy beste te probeer nie.

Julle spannetjie is absoluut puik, van Marius en Kobus tot by Trudie en die Beoordeelaars.

Baie baie dankie vir ‘n goeie ervaaring!!!

Hou voort met wat julle doen vir ons kinders en hulle toekoms!

Maggie Pretorius (10.05.2017)

Marius, Allegretto is sowaar die room van alle kunswedstryde. Die beoordelaars is van top gehalte. Al die mammas is so vriendelik en dis vir my baie lekker om die ander kinders te boost en te prys as hulle goed doen.

Benita Peens

Hi

Wil net se ‎baie baie dankie vir ‘n wonderlike jaar van kunswedstryd.
Ons het dit op ‘n super dooper hoe noot afgesluit met gala uitnodiging.
As ek julle dalk nie raak loop by gala aand nie mag dit ‘n wonderlike jaar wees (die stukkie wat oor is).
Mag julle ryklik geseen geword met die stunning werk wat julle doen.

Groete
Magda

Well done!!!!!

Ek wil graag julle bedank vir die uitsonderlike geleentheid wat my kind kon gedeel het om aan julle Gala aand deel te neem.
Dit was ongelooflik!
Ons neem altyd aan Kempton Park se kunswedstryde deel, maar hierdie geleentheid was uit die boonste rakke.
Ek is regtig bly om te sien daar is nog soveel mense met soveel passie vir die kuns en drama.

Groete
Adri (Zianci van Zyl se ma)

Marius en die Allegretto span

Baie dankie vir die geleentheid om aan julle en die gemeenskap van diens te wees.

Renus (20 Mei 2016).

Hi Trudi

Sjoe, ek sal beslis volgende jaar vir julle meer inskrywings kry. Stuur asb vir my info na my privaat epos. Ek sal seker maak dat julle baie meer inskrywings kry. (ek beoordeel skoonheidskompetisies, en het kontak met baie van die kinders betrokke in uitvoerende kunste).

En nou kan ek ook ons ervaring deel met hulle…dis nie baie eistedfodds of kunswedstryde wat poog om die kinders met opbouende kritiek te beoordeel nie. Dit is soms maar aaklig…ek moet bieg, ek was skepties, daarom vir niemand vertel nie…maar nou sal ek beslis!!!

Baie dankie, die vorige dag het die kinders deelgeneem aan n ander kunswestryd en het nie so goed gedoen soos hulle wou nie, kritiek was ook nie opbouend nie, hulle is huilend huis toe…en Saterdag (eintlik die res van die naweek) was hulle in die wolke!!!

Die klank outjies is verskriklik oulik, hulle het die klank met die sang items skitterend hanteer.

Baie geluk met n fantastiese dag!!
Groete
Valma Laubscher.

Marius

Ek wil gou ietsie op hierdie groep sê; Dames jul besef dalk nie wat ons in Marius Lourens het nie. Ek ken hom meer as 24 jaar waarvan hy 18 jaar vir my en my hele familie ONGELOOFLIK baie beteken het. Van my kind se geboorte, haar doop waar hy tot in die oggendure massas blomme vir die kerk en onthaal gedoen het. Ons ondersteun het met ons dierbares se afsterwes en begrafnisse. ‘n Groot bydrae tot my dogter se hoofdogterskap by Hugenote gehad het vanjaar, maar die belangrikste is sy vriendskap. So baie dankie vir wie jy is Marius. Ek is nie aktief op hierdie groep nie want my praktyk eis so baie van my tyd, maar die Christelike karakter van hierdie groep is so spesiaal. Ons is daar om mekaar te ondersteun, te dra en lief te hê. Laastens iets oor Heidi Wehmeyer. Heidi jy is ‘n engel op aarde wat God vir ons as mense leen. Jou integriteit, persoonlikheid en liefde is onbeskryflik groot. Mooi dag vir almal.

Dr Odendaal

Beste Mev. Van der Walt,

Namens die Pretoria Mannekoor ons hartlike dank vir die geleentheid gebied om deel te neem aan die Allegretto Eisteddfod. Dit was ‘n groot eer om tydens die Gala-aand te sing, ‘n trofee en ‘n kontantbedrag te wen.

Al was dit ‘n bitter koue dag, die manne se harte het baie warm geklop en het ons die geleentheid terdeë geniet.

Geluk en dankie dat julle ‘n nis skep vir die jeug om ook hulle talente te ontgin en bloot te stel.

Ons opregte dank word betuig teenoor u, Mnr Marius Lourens en sy komitee vir die toewyde werk wat hulle verrig.

Seën word julle toegebid vir die toekoms.

Vriendelike groete

Paul Mardon
Voorsitter,
Pretoria Mannekoor

Goeie dag

Eerstens wil ek net BAIE BAIE dankie se vir n UITSTEKENDE GALA aand. Ons was nou die jaar by elke liewe Gala waaraan jy kan dink, en Saterdag aand was vir ons definitief n HOOGTEPUNT. Die organisasie asook die moeite wat daarin was, was absoluut elke oomblik werd..

Y van Aswegen

Liewe Trudi en span,

Ek wil net graag baaaie dankie sê vir ‘n great ervaring!
Al my ouers is super beindruk met julle organisasie en beoordelaars en vriendelikheid.
En ons is so dankbaar dat julle ons kon uithelp met tye skuif.
So baie dankie, ons gaan VERSEKER weer inskryf.

Mooi Loop
Sune

Baie dankie vir die platform wat aan die leerders gegee word en vir julle uitstekende organisasie!

Groete
Marietjie de Villiers-Knop
Hoof Dramatix/Kultuurhoof H/S Noordheuwel

More Marius,

Graag wil ek darem ook net behoorlik dankie se vir gister se Gala. Ons het maar vinning vetrek na aflsuiting want die pad terug Nelspruit toe was nog lank.

Maar van ons kant af wil ek eerstens se baie geluk met die Gala geleentheid. Ons het dit werklik geniet en van die items was vir ons besonders gewees. Soos ek vir Freda gese het toe ons terug ry, nie almal sal van alles hou nie, maar mens kan nie verby die talent kyk nie. My besonderse uitstaan oomblik was natuurlik die orrel spel, die Uitsig koor, die senior marimba orkes – ag met twee items na, het ek alles geniet. (Selfs jou maalvleis J.)

Tweedens wil ek ook dankie se vir die spesiale oomblik met die toekenning van die trofee aan Wiaan, dit was ‘n besonderse oomblik vir ons as ouers en Wiaan kon nie ophou praat oor wat hy volgende jaar gaan doen nie. Hy wil selfs ‘n Jan Bloukaas liedjie opvoer…

Nogmaals dankie en sterkte met julle organisasie, ons glo en vertou dat dit absoluut van krag tot krag sal gaan. Indien jy enige hulp benodig in Nelspruit is jy meer as welkom om my ‘n luitjie te gee.

Groete
Johan Grobler