The Chronicle 2022

this concert series looked to afford Michaelhouse pupils an opportunity to perform in a live setting while simultaneously supporting local businesses. Featured soloists, ensembles, and sometimes even the occasional teacher, entertained the dining patrons with a variety of popular music. Outstanding performances of Jazz, Funk, and even Rock ‘n Roll. The first Jazz Jam Session was held at VdeV Midlands on 16 August, while the second instalment was at Highgate Wine Estate in Lions River, on 22 October. MICHAELHOUSE JAZZ BAND In 2022 the Michaelhouse Jazz Band, informally referred to as Don T and the Jazz Disciples , was resurrected as not only an official school ensemble but a hard-swinging septet, who impressed all who heard them. Their repertoire included a myriad of jazz styles, from the Hard Bop of Art Blakey’s Moanin’ , to the Kwela stylings of Abdullah Ibrahim’s Mandela and the Jazz African Pioneers’ Woodpecker . It is worth noting the ensemble’s most popular piece and fan favourite was Strasbourg / St Denis – a contemporary jazz piece composed by trumpeter Roy Hargrove. This piece even resulted in a standing ovation at The Two Schools in Concert hosted by Hilton College. Another highlight for the ensemble included their participation in two Michaelhouse Jazz Jam Sessions. The Michaelhouse Jazz Band has become a great source of pride for the school and is fast becoming a prominent feature of the Midlands music scene. MICHAELHOUSE ORCHESTRA The Michaelhouse Orchestra has undergone a period of exciting growth this year. Mr Joshua Turnbull was appointed conductor of the ensemble, Mr Simeon Goddard orchestra manager, Benjamin Turner and Peter Woodland as orchestra leaders, and many new additions were made to the membership of the ensemble. The orchestra’s first public performance in 2022 was the Orchestra Social held on 9 May. This event saw the Michaelhouse Orchestra welcome the St Anne’s Orchestra to the Music Department for an orchestral collaboration. Both orchestras performed several splendid pieces for each other, and the night culminated in the orchestras performing the traditional South African piece Siyahamba together. It is worth noting that the highlight of the orchestra’s year was their performance at the Two Schools in Concert hosted by Hilton College on 16 June. The orchestra performed highlights from Harry Potter , a medley of pieces from the film series, and the Latin pop tune, Havana , admirably and to rapturous applause. Other notable performances by the ensemble included the Orchestra and Band Showcase at the Michaelhouse Culture Week, Speech Day, and the Carol Services. The orchestra has served Michaelhouse with great distinction, always adding a sense of grandeur to any occasion. MICHAELHOUSE WIND ENSEMBLE Starting out as a saxophone quintet and being transformed into a small seven-piece wind ensemble, with the addition of a trumpet, clarinet, and drum kit, the Michaelhouse Wind Ensemble has undergone a period of many transformations this year. Performances for the ensemble included the Two Schools

Time by Rival Sons on the drum kit. Peter Woodland played the Andante from Joseph Haydn’s trumpet concerto and Fanfare and Berceuse by Arthur Butterworth. Peter Woodland was accompanied on the piano by Mr Jaco Dippenaar. INTERHOUSE MUSIC: 2 – 8 AUGUST The requirement for Interhouse Music this year was the performance of a programme in which at least one work had to be an arrangement/version of the well-known song, Pata Pata . Each programme had to feature a solo, a small ensemble (maximum five), a large ensemble (minimum eight), and a whole House item. All outstanding items made it into the finals, not only ensembles from Houses with the highest averages like in past years, which made for an impressive evening featuring outstanding performances from the preliminary round ranging from Stockholm Syndrome (Muse) to Ain’t no sunshine (Bill Whithers) and Thunderstruck (AC/DC). Mackenzie and McCormick proved to be equally matched throughout the evening. Mackenzie won the awards for Best Small Group, Best Big Group, and Best Solo. McCormick gained their ground in the Whole House item overtaking Mackenzie and winning the Best House item, as well as the Interhouse Music Cup for being the overall winner. In second place was Mackenzie, and in third place was Pascoe. Outstanding performances from all the Houses made for a memorable evening. WOMEN’S DAY CELEBRATIONS: 9 AUGUST The Michaelhouse Jazz Band added an authentic indigenous atmosphere to the Michaelhouse celebrations of Women’s Day this year. Many of the women who attended the celebrations danced as they walked on the red carpet to the Centenary Centre where they were treated to mouth-watering refreshments. The Competition Marimba Band boys were invited to perform at St Anne’s at their outdoor celebration. KZN MIDLANDS CHORAL CELEBRATION: 13 AUGUST On Saturday evening, 13 August, the Michaelhouse Schlesinger Theatre was filled to the brim when ten local choirs joined forces with the University of Johannesburg Choir to celebrate the joy of choral singing. The event was organized by the Choral Celebration Network Foundation and the line-up featured the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands Youth Choir, Drakondale Choir, Michaelhouse Chapel Choir, Epworth High School Choir, Pietermaritzburg Girls High School Choir, Drakensberg Boys’ Choir, Midlands Chamber Choir, Pietermaritzburg Children’s Choir, Newcastle High School Choir, and the University of Johannesburg Choir. High spirits and moving performances ruled the evening and often got the audience to their feet. A proud moment for the Michaelhouse Chapel Choir was the cheers and responses received from all the choirs for their indigenous medley.

THE MICHAELHOUSE JAZZ JAM SESSIONS: 16 AUGUST AND 22 OCTOBER

With an aim to emulate the exuberant jazz joints of yesteryear, the Michaelhouse Jazz Jam Sessions were a roaring success. Through a collaborative effort of the Michaelhouse Music Department and local dining establishments in the Midlands,

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