The 2025 Chronicle

ORCHESTRA Back Row: Edward Mvulana, Robin Grantham, Sheldon Topham, Robert Short, Selibe, Brent Tayengwa, Frances Kim (exchange boy) Third Row: Zhengfei Li, Thabiso Nthoba, Katleho Ramosunya, Lwandle Dube, Nate Ross-Kent, Andrew McMurray, Nkosinathi Radebe, Second Row: Tagara Hove, Thibedi Mogoba, Jordan Matthee, Connor Maitland, Hlumisa Mpumlwana, Moagi Mbhele Front Row (seated): Franko Bocking, Mr Nkanyiso Zuma, Lerotholi Seeiso (Prince), Mr Eldene Bruiners, Makena Githiri, Mr Che Charles, Joseph Gilson

JAZZ BAND (Orchestral Programme) Master in Charge: Mr Eldene Bruiners Assistant Staff: Mr Che Charles, Mr Nkanyiso Zuma

ing instrumentation: drum kit (Joseph Gilson), piano (Nicholas Hornby), electric bass guitar (Nate Ross-Kent), electric guitar (Harry Witherspoon), trumpet (Neo Selibe), alto saxophones (Brent Tayengwa, Connor Maitland and Jordan Matthee) and vocals (Luneziwe Mshengu). The ensemble entertained audiences with a variety of styles, ranging from traditional South African jazz and straight-ahead swing to classic R&B. Fan favourites included the soulful R&B hit “Easy” by The Commodores as well as Bill Withers’ “Just the Two of Us”. Other crowd-pleasers included McCoy Mrubata’s Mbaqanga classic “Face the Music”, “My Little Suede Shoes” by Charlie Parker, and an original composition by Mr Eldene Bruiners titled “Don T’s Waltz”. The band performed at numerous concerts and events, in cluding the Michaelhouse Clubs & Societies Fair on 27 Janu ary and Highgate Wine Estate on 28 February, which was their first public performance for 2025. In the second quarter they played at: the Wembley College Music Festival on 25 April; the Harvest Moon Night Market in Nottingham Road on 2 May; the Midlands Night Market at the Stockowners Outdoor Park on 9 May; the Old Boys’ Gaudy Dinner on 6 June; and the highlight of the second term, the Two Schools in Concert col

Wynton Marsalis, renowned American trum peter and educator, said: “Jazz is the power of now. There is no script. It’s conversation. The emotion is given to you by musicians as they make split-second decisions to fulfil what they feel the moment requires.” In 2025 the Michaelhouse Jazz Band embodied this sentiment, enriching the school and broader community with moments of musical joy, creativity and connection through their music. Weekly rehearsals were held on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4.30pm to 5.30pm and provided a space for boys to ex plore a variety of musical styles through the improvisatory disci pline of jazz. These rehearsals refined the band’s musical skills and fostered camaraderie and individual expression. The band consisted of nine musicians and featured the follow

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