The 2025 Chronicle

CHAMBER CHOIR Back Row: Luneziwe Mshengu, Mpho Thipa, Max Oliva, Keamogetse Noge, Darren Phala Front Row (seated): Boitumelo Motsepe, Roelof Russouw, Mr Gareth Dry, Mark Conway, Thato Moumakwa, Corban Chellan

The Marimba Programme began the cultural year with tremendous energy and purpose, setting the tone for what would become one of its most accomplished and eventful seasons to date. The year opened on 18 January with a three-part indigenous African marimba workshop series led by the acclaimed musi cian and educator Mr Michael Sibanda. This intensive week end created a collaborative platform for pupils, teachers and partner schools. Junior players participated alongside scholars from Wembley College, Arboretum Primary, Howick Preparatory School and St Nicholas Diocesan School, while a special teach er workshop allowed regional staff to deepen their understand ing of marimba pedagogy. A high school workshop followed, in volving 36 Michaelhouse boys and pupils from St John’s DSG, Hilton College and Epworth, who together explored extended in strumental techniques and learned three new ensemble pieces. Soon after these workshops the boys stepped into the public sphere with renewed confidence. On 27 January the Competi tion Marimba Band contributed to the vibrancy of the annual Clubs & Societies Fair, performing alongside the Jazz Band. This early performance helped set the cultural tone for the school year and generated significant interest among new pupils. Just a week later, on 2 February, the band played a spirited 40 min ute outdoor set at Piggly Wiggly, delighting local audiences and demonstrating strong post holiday preparedness.

Throughout the first quarter, technical development remained a core focus. The Senior Band, comprising boys from C, B and A Blocks, as well as the D Block Band, worked on refining tech nique and ensemble blend. Meanwhile, E Block auditions were held before half term. Once the new group had been selected, rehearsals began under the guidance of intern Mr Nkanyiso Zuma, positioning the youngest players for meaningful prog ress later in the year. The quarter concluded with an important institutional milestone: the announcement that Michaelhouse would host the first ever National High Schools Marimba Com petition in July, filling the void left by the discontinued Interna tional Marimba & Steelpan Festival. The second quarter marked the start of an intensive concert season in which the Competition Band served as the headline act at a series of significant performances. From April through June they delivered polished performances at a wide range of events, beginning with the St John’s DSG Freedom Day Concert on 30 April. This was followed by an appearance at the Howick Night Market outside Howick on 9 May, a performance at Cord walles in a benefit concert for the Salvation Army on 2 June, and a crowd-pleasing show on Old Boys’ Day on 7 June. Further engagements included the St John’s DSG Music Festival on 13 June, the Two Schools in Concert collaboration with Hilton Col lege on 19 June, and their participation in The Wykeham Colle giate Talent Show on 24 June.

A midyear restructuring of the programme allowed for a sleek

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