Music
Music at Collegiate goes beyond playing an instrument and performance because of the Department’s collective understanding that it is therapeutic. Our human experience is fundamentally expressed through our celebrations, rituals and ceremonies which almost always involve music. In the Collegiate Music Department our esteemed educators are entrusted to unlatch the potential our learners have for making music. Through this engagement, educators create an environment conducive to forming healthy bonds with peers and benefit from a comfortable rapport with tutors.
The exposure of our musicians to live performance is an invaluable skill which instils teamwork through cooperation developed in the Concert Band, Choir and various Ensembles (strings, vocal and brass) which can be applied for a successful life in the broader world. Not only can our Music Department blow its trumpet because of a string of awards and prizes attained at eisteddfods and festivals such as the Pizzicato Pizzazz Strings Concert at Summerwood Primary, the Pearson Praeludium Music Festival and Musical Moments Concert and the South African Society of Music Teachers (SASMT). The choir recorded their video for the Port Rex Lions Eisteddfod and performed at the Voce Volante Choir Festival, hosted by Westering High School.
As with all art forms at Collegiate, we present opportunities for our learners to work with and learn from specialists in their field. The Music Department hosted its first piano symposium in October for music learners from all schools. We had the privilege of welcoming Dr Erika Bothma, piano lecturer at Nelson Mandela University, who presented a few mini masterclasses to the piano learners.
With about half the schools’ learners playing a musical instrument, the appeal of music holds is due to the educators’ investment in the subject and what it offers learners as a place of refuge from the noise of the world. With the knowledge that playing music reinforces mental agility, we encourage learners to take up an instrument and indulge in the good fortune of a more balanced lifestyle. Looking towards the future, we have proposed plans for a new Music Centre designed to expand to a complete performance and art venue to house our creatives.
