The Chronicle 2022

Knowledge and Analysis of Music (Topic 3). Students are expected to complete a portfolio of work by the end of each year in the senior (FET) phase. This includes two written examinations, a practical examination, as well as performance based tasks, and a portfolio of research and composition tasks. In E Block two groups of forty pupils (eighty per year) each spent a semester exploring the three topics, and in D Block two groups of twenty pupils (forty per year) spent the year exploring the three topics in more depth. In C Block there were four students, in B Block nine students, and in A Block two students. Cocurricularly, 148 boys took individual music lessons. Nine ensembles afforded boys of different interests the opportunity to get involved in making music on a social level. These ensembles are the Michaelhouse Chapel Choir, Vocal Ensemble, Orchestra, Senior Jazz Band, Junior Jazz Band, Wind Ensemble, Junior Marimba Band, Senior Marimba Band, and Competition Marimba Band. IN SERVICE OF THE SCHOOL Unlike other academic departments, the Music Department is also involved in the cocurricular offering, as well as in service of school events. In the chapel, the Michaelhouse Chapel Choir and many talented musicians, performed at the following services: Ash Wednesday Service (2 March), Board Chapel Service (18 March), Confirmation Service (18 March), Grandparents’ Day Service (23 April), Full School Eucharist (20 July), Prefect Induction Service (23 October), Remembrance Day Service (13 November), and the Carol Services at the end of the year (30 November and 1 December). These dedicated musicians keep going, even after everyone else has shifted their focus to end-of-year examinations, and they are to be commended and celebrated for their love and support of Michaelhouse. During the unveiling of the fountain on the inauguration of the Terraces on 18 March, the Michaelhouse Jazz Band performed, as well as pianists Gqamile Mbuyazi, Ian Graham, Ben Cheales, and Owen Chimuka. Speech Day (15 October) provided another opportunity for our musicians to serve our boys and parents. The Michaelhouse Orchestra, Michaelhouse Jazz Band, and Michaelhouse Chapel Choir performed an indigenous programme that was both inspiring and inclusive as part of the Speech Day programme. CHOIR CAMP: 5 – 7 FEBRUARY A significant part of the year’s repertoire, inspired by the theme Ignite , was covered during the choir camp held over the first weekend in February. Three specialists in indigenous music joined the choir to teach them a unique but authentic indigenous section of the programme. Mr Mabuza, Mr Khumalo, and Ms Nkosi put together an exciting and energetic selection of original indigenous choral music, but most impressive was the talent of the Michaelhouse boys, and especially the Tenor 1 group who despite their numbers, managed to inspire and portray the passion and ideas of indigenous choral culture. Sessions were held in the Schlesinger Theatre and at Fern Hill Hotel allowing OVERVIEW OF ACTIVITIES

the choir boys to get away from school and focus on learning music only. On the last day of the camp, the choir performed a moving rendition of the hymn O Love that will not let me go for choir, cello, and piano, at the evening service at St Anne’s Diocesan College with Christopher Angel playing the cello and Samir Dookie the piano. The service was followed by a jovial social dinner in the St Anne’s dining hall where more singing took place. On Monday, 9 May, the Michaelhouse Orchestra welcomed the St Anne’s Orchestra to the Music Department for an orchestral collaboration. Both orchestras performed several splendid pieces for each other, as well as the piece Siyahamba together. This collaboration provided the learners of both ensembles with the opportunity to attain performance time in an informal and safe space, as well as appreciate the musical talents of the other school. The Competition Band performed at the 125th birthday celebrations of St John’s DSG, in Pietermaritzburg on 13 May. This was undoubtedly the performance of the year for the boys in the band and they will never forget the cheers and adoration from an audience of more than 2000. At this concert, the boys shared the stage with several groups from other schools, as well as with the KZN Youth Wind Band and performer, DJ Timo ODV. The Michaelhouse Chapel Choir and Vocal Ensemble performed at St Anne’s on Tuesday evening, 17 May 2022. The evening turned out to be a highlight for both schools and choirs, singing together in public for the first time in two years and two months. Sound engineer, Mr Oosthuizen, and technician, Mr Ndlovu, did a superb job of enhancing the aesthetic experience of all the singers and the enjoyment of the audience, as was clear by the hearty response of those in attendance. The Michaelhouse programme featured Gloria from Saviour’s Mass by Motshwane Pege, O love that will not let me go by Elaine Hagenberg, Ons het ons brieke losgedraai – a Boerneef poem set to music by Niel van der Watt, and An African Joy Medley arranged by Mbali Nkosi and Mzwandile Mabuza. The Vocal Ensemble performed I will rise by Chris Tomlin, and It’s so hard to say goodbye to yesterday by Freddie Perrin and Christine Yarian. The Michaelhouse Chapel Choir was conducted by Mr Jaco Dippenaar and Mr Jacques Linde, and the Vocal Ensemble by Ms Carika de Swardt. MARIMBA COMPETITION BALLITO: 20 – 21 MAY For the first time since 2019, the band had the opportunity to perform in a live competition. The band entered and won all three of the prescribed High School categories. In the Manic Mingling category, the band could collaborate with another melodic instrument. They performed their own Latin-American THE ORCHESTRA SOCIAL WITH ST ANNE’S DIOCESAN COLLEGE: 9 MAY MARIMBAS/JAZZ BAND, ST JOHN’S DIOCESAN SCHOOL FOR GIRLS FESTIVAL: 13 MAY CHORAL CELEBRATION ST ANNE’S DIOCESAN COLLEGE: 17 MAY

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