Takes your breath away: one of the instruments on show at the SACM festival.

The South African College of Music hosted its annual Woodwind Festival recently, designed "to bring the woodwind community together" and to teach everyone about these much-adored instruments.

Over two days, fans and players of the instrument were treated to master classes, lectures, woodwind ensembles, live performances and instrument repair workshops, among many other activities.

Fred Kuit and Kopano, as well as the UCT Flute Ensemble, were among the entertainers lined up, and woodwind instruments such as saxophones and flutes, as well as mouthpieces and books, were on show.

Festival organiser Professor Mike Rossi says Cape Town has no access to a big woodwind market, unlike cities such as New York and London, where there are big shops and aficionados are spoilt for choice. "It is important to bring the woodwind community together and inform them about this valuable asset."