Aaronson & conductor Solly Aronowsky founded
the famous London International Orchestra
Queen Elizabeth will bestow the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) on SA-born Sarah Aaronson next month. The prestigious occasion will be held at Buckingham Palace. Our Sarah will rub shoulders with the likes of David Beckham, Judi Dench, Liam Neeson, Nigel Mansell and JK Rowling and will be amongst the distinguished honourees.
Sarah Aaronson was born to Lithuanian immigrants. She grew up in Doornfontein and was seduced by the "wonderful sounds from the Russians" playing accordions in her suburb.
She was nine when she started playing the instrument and her first concert was a year later.
Aaronson also learnt to play the piano and organ.
The OBE will be awarded to her for services to music and charity. Despite having lived in London for many years, the octogenarian, who politely declined to say how old she was, said her "heart is still in South Africa".
"It's a long way from Doornfontein to the palace. Although I'm married to a Londoner and I'm British, I still consider myself South African. I have a brother there. My heart is in South Africa.”
As a young child, she played for the likes of General Jan Smuts. As an adult, her audiences have included the Queen Mother and the queen of Jordan.
Years later, Aaronson and conductor Solly Aronowsky founded the London International Orchestra, which today still raises funds for various charities, including several dedicated to assisting SA charities such as the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund.
South African-born lyricist Herbert Kretzmer, who wrote the lyrics to Les Misérables, will also receive the OBE for his services to music.
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