We shine a spotlight on three pupils marching to the beat of their own drum and singing the tunes in their hearts, as well as inspiring our community with their musical talents and passion.
Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School
When Sibongakonke Dlamini joined Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School, she could not play a note of music. All she had was a passion to play and a dream of becoming a musician like her older sister. She picked up a clarinet for the first time in 2019 and has not put it down since. Initially, she had no idea how to make “the sound it was supposed to” however, she practised every day until she got it right.
After four years of dedication, Sibongakonke already plays grade six music pieces, two grades ahead of where she should be. Her hope is to matriculate from GHS playing grade seven clarinet pieces. “I have always enjoyed orchestral music and have wanted to be a part of it. It’s such a wonderful environment and learning the skills of reading and writing music is something rare that not many people can do. This interested me and I wanted to do it,” she said.
Being a part of the GHS Wind Band has allowed her to interact and perform with many musicians from other schools as well as the KwaZulu-Natal Youth Wind Band and Pietermaritzburg City Orchestra. She found pure joy in watching other, more experienced clarinet players. “I am in awe of what they do. Their talent is amazing and they inspire me to do better.”
“Coming to GHS has allowed me to follow my dream of playing music. Our school provides so much for their music learners, from the dedicated and experienced music educators to providing instruments for girls who cannot buy their own. The music department is nurturing and really pushes you to give it your all and work hard,” said Sibongakonke.
She said that she would encourage future learners who simply have a passion or dream to take a leap of faith and pursue music. “Many people think that because they cannot play or read music that they cannot take it as a subject. If you are serious about it and are willing to put in the work, you will be able to succeed in the music department.”
Though her plans are to go into the financial field, Sibongakonke has been applying to universities that have active music extra-murals or city orchestras. She fully intends on remaining committed to her clarinet.
Sibongakonke has participated in the first “Orchestra from Scratch” hosted by GHS and many external GHS Wind Band performances. She has received silver and gold in an eisteddfod last year and gold in the Band Eisteddfod this year. She is also the GHS Gospel Choir conductor and the GHS Head Prefect for 2023.
Website: www.ghspmb.co.z
St Charles College
Matthew Urquhart is an outstanding grade 11 musician from St Charles College. His music journey started in his first year when he took guitar lessons. Soon afterward, he began performing at school functions. He is a talented performer who enjoys playing the guitar and singing. From grade three, he has been a committed chorister and has had many opportunities to shine as the lead singer and guitarist for the Senior Primary band. These included school talent shows and functions and outings to MiTH.
Throughout high school, Matthew maintained his love of music and commitment to ensembles and choirs. His faith has encouraged him to use his talents for others. He regularly leads worship in the Chapel, at Youth, and for Sunday services, either as a soloist or as a member of the worship band. A chamber choir was founded in 2020 to showcase and extend the repertoire of exceptional choristers. Matthew has taken up this challenge. In 2023, this natural leader will be the choir and chamber choir captain, guiding the ensembles and encouraging younger singers to become performers.
In addition to his musical extra-mural involvement, Matthew does Cambridge Music as a subject, achieving at the highest level. Matthew has received the school’s highest recognition, Honours for Drama and Colours for Music. His impressive performance on the stage in the 2019 production of “Aladdin” and last year as a lead in “Harwin Road”, which premiered on YouTube, have earned him star status. He also assisted with composing and recording the music for the production. On top of that, Matthew is an excellent pianist and guitarist. He excels at learning music by ear and at improvising. He recently also started teaching himself bass guitar.
Furthermore, Matthew is a born leader having been elected as one of the College’s Deputy Prefects. On the sports field, he represents both the first rugby and cricket teams, with a recent selection to the Provincial Inland Cricket Team. He is a talented all-rounder with a wonderful temperament!
Website: www.stcharlescollege.co.za
The Wykeham Collegiate
Emma Lycett has various musical talents and is a dedicated pupil of The Wykeham Collegiate who takes her craft very seriously. Beyond her strong love for the piano, which she started playing in grade one (at six or seven years old), she’s also an exceptional flautist. Emma is part of an extremely musical family which made it easy for her to explore all of what music had to offer. Her grandmother, great-aunt, and mother all learnt the piano growing up.
She took up flute lessons in grade four after hearing a performance of The Wykeham Collegiate Junior Wind Ensemble at the school where she was a pupil at the time. Emma did not limit herself when her high school career began as she continued her piano lessons with Mrs Julie Young and flute lessons with Ms Janine Theron as her new teachers. One of her music teachers picked up something special in her voice and recommended voice lessons, which she began in 2022.
Emma is currently in grade 11 at The Wykeham Collegiate and recently did her Trinity College grade three flute examination and ABRSM grade four singing examination. She is a loyal member of both The Wykeham Collegiate Wind Ensemble and Senior School Choir.
She also joined the KZN Midlands Youth Choir at the end of 2020 and was given the opportunity to travel to Greece this year for a performance with the choir, where they were awarded two silvers and three golds. Emma’s future plan is to be part of the Stellenbosch University Choir. She has expressed great love for music. “I enjoy music as it brings me joy,” says Emma.
One of her teachers, Mrs Julie Young, had only wonderful things to say about her student: “Emma has been a pupil of mine since her arrival at TWC, first learning piano and subsequently singing. She is an accomplished musician who always gives of her best, be it playing flute in the Senior Wind Ensemble, singing in the Senior Choir, or singing in the KZN Midlands Youth Choir. She is currently preparing her grade five singing programme after having successfully passed grade four. She is a credit to the school and I am proud to be her teacher.”
Website: www.twc.org.za