The 2025 Chronicle

CULTURAL PROGRAMME Head of Culture: Dr Carika de Swardt

This year affirmed that cultural education remains essential in an all-boys environment for nurturing creativity, emotional in telligence, public presence, discipline and teamwork. The boys in the cultural programmes were perfect ambassadors of Mi chaelhouse in 2025. ORCHESTRA (Orchestral Programme) Master in charge and Conductor: Mr Eldene Bruiners Assistant Staff: Mr Nkanyiso Zuma, Mr Che Charles Captain and Concert Master: Makena Githiri Under the baton of Mr Eldene Bruiners and intern staff Mr Nkanyiso Zuma and Mr Che Charles who also serves as a tenor saxo phonist in the ensemble, the Michaelhouse Orches tra experienced a year of outstanding music making. Makena Githiri was appointed captain and concert master of the Orchestra. Rehearsals were conducted twice a week, alternating between tutti rehearsals, where the entire ensemble practised together, and sectional rehearsals, in which individual sections, such as strings, winds or percussion, received focused coaching. With the growth from 20 to 26 members, each musician played a crucial role in upholding the ensemble’s high stan dards. The Orchestra’s first performance and highlight of the year, was the Two Schools in Concert collaboration with Hil ton College on 19 June, which took place in Michaelhouse’s Indoor Centre. The Orchestra opened with Spider-Man: No Way Home Main Theme (by Michael G Giacchino, arranged by Johnnie Vinson), followed by Canon in D (by Johann Pacheb el), which was dedicated to the Rector, Mr Antony Clark. They ended their programme with Mi Casa Magic (arranged by Alex Hitzeroth), which is a medley of popular songs by South Afri can band Mi Casa. The Orchestra had a performance in collaboration with Maritz burg College on 10 October on the Maritzburg College campus. The highlight of this performance was when the College ensem ble joined the Michaelhouse Orchestra for an item titled “That’s What I Like” by renowned Grammy award-winning artist Bruno Mars. This event was an excellent celebration of music, brother hood and community. The Orchestra also played a pivotal role during Speech Day on 11 October, performing the academic procession “Gaudeamus Igitur” from Johannes Brahms’s Aca demic Festival Overture , the South African national anthem in collaboration with the Chapel Choir, the school hymn “Stars of the Morning”, and Sir Edward Elgar’s theme “Land of Hope and Glory” from his Pomp and Circumstance March, No.1 (arranged by Mike Butcher). The Orchestra’s closing performance of the year took place on 19 October in the Schlesinger Theatre, where they performed at Grandparents Day. This special event highlighted the depth of Michaelhouse’s cultural talent through performances by the Orchestra, Jazz Band and dramatic ensembles, celebrating the important role that grandparents play in our community. Con cluding their year of performances, the Orchestra accompanied two carol services on 26 and 27 November, leading the congre gation in numerous carols, adding festive jollity to the service.

The 2025 cultural year at Michaelhouse was characterised by vibrancy, commitment and a renewed sense of excellence across all

the programmes.

From the outset, the dedication of both boys and staff fostered an environment where creativity, discipline and collaboration thrived. Our diverse portfolio collectively contributed to a dy namic and holistic cultural offering. THE CULTURAL PORTFOLIO CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMMES: • Orchestral (Jazz Band and Orchestra) • Choral (Chapel Choir and Chamber Choir) • Marimba (Junior, Second and Competition Marimba Bands) • Debating and Public Speaking • Chess • Individual Art Development • Theatre Productions, Technology and Movement The year began strongly with an Indigenous African Marimba workshop, setting an energetic tone and strengthening relation ships with other schools. Throughout the year the performing arts, debating, music ensembles, movement activities and cultur al societies experienced notable successes – ranging from out standing competition results to exceptional public performances. The second half of the year was marked by exceptional accom plishments across multiple disciplines. Cultural excellence was celebrated at the Cultural Awards Dinner on 14 November, rec ognising both the remarkable achievements and the countless quiet victories that had accumulated during the year. These were achievable because of strong institutional support, dedi cated cultural periods and access to high-quality resources. A SELECTION OF HEADLINE ACHIEVEMENTS: • DEBATING: KZN Senior Champions, with strong national placings and Oliver Thompson being chosen for the SA team right at the end of the year. • JAZZ BAND: awarded Best High School Jazz Band in Stellenbosch. • CHAPEL CHOIR: second in the ATKV Applous choir competition’s Prestige Boys Category. • COMPETITION MARIMBA BAND: two category wins and two second places at the National High Schools Marimba Competition, placing third overall. • SECOND MARIMBA TEAM: second in the Development Section at Nationals. • THEATRE: exceptional staging of the musical Jesus Christ Superstar in collaboration with St Anne’s. • CHESS: Zhengfei Li placed in the top 20 internationally for his age group and second at the African Youth Chess Championships (U16).

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