The 2023 Chronicle

Gqamile Mbuyazi as the narrator and tyrannical police captain of Urinetown

The departure of the matrics, Kofi Asumaning (alto saxophone), Enrique Benassi (electric guitar), Thomas Kuhn (trumpet), Gqamile Mbuyazi (piano), Nicholas Pitt (electric bass guitar) and Andrew Woodland (tenor saxophone), concluded a year of immense distinction for the Michaelhouse Jazz Band.

College on 21 April. I can safely say it was a rousing success due to the fact that drummer Rory Steyn was carried out of the hall on the shoulders of the adult spectators! The band learnt a number of new songs in preparation for two competitions later in the year, but also for large performances at other schools, such as the St John’s Music Festival, held in Pietermaritzburg on 12 May. At this event they shared the stage with professional musicians Matthew Mole and DJ Chunda Munki, as well as other school groups such as the KZN Youth Wind band, the vocal ensemble of Thomas More College, the marimba bands of Hilton College and St John’s DSG, and the rock band from St Charles College. All three of the marimba bands performed at the annual Two Schools in Concert: A celebration of brotherhood with Hilton College on 15 June. Together with all the other music groups of the school, this concert was a huge success and was attended by over 1,000 boys, parents, staff and dignitaries. Prior to the start of the third quarter the Competition Marimba Band had a four-day training workshop in preparation for the quarter. There were late withdrawals from the band due toemigration and soccer commitments, so the band started off The band performed to the staff and boys of Michaelhouse at the annual Workers’ Day celebrations on 1 May.

MARIMBA PROGRAMME Master in Charge: Dr Carika de Swardt

Coaches: Dr Carika de Swardt (competition marimba band, senior marimba band), Mr Kuluba Leteane (junior marimba band) Captains: Sandiso Hlongwa, Gqamile Mbuyazi (competition marimba band), Ntando Mbhele (senior marimba band) he marimba programme is currently running at full capacity with three fully functioning bands who each rehearse twice a week. Auditions for the junior and senior bands happened in January and the current competition band was selected at the end of 2022. The competition band had their first public performance at the annual Societies Fair, which took place in the first week of February. The second quarter started with the Competition Marimba Band performing in Greytown at the Festival of Music at Wembley T

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