Curriculum Vitae:

Albert Combrink

Name: Albert Combrink

Address: 26 Kylemore Road 7925

Tel: (021) 448 3077 (h)

082 365 6634 (cell)

E-mail: [email protected]

Age: 35 (Born 15 April 1969)

Marital Status: Married to Marion Walton (Senior Lecturer, Film & Media Studies, UCT)

Children: Robin, 9 year old son

Highest Tertiary Qualification: M Mus (Natal University)

Current Employment: University Of : Vocal Coach

Website: http://acombrink.wordpress.com/ 

Tertiary Education, Musical Training and Diplomas

1987 - B Mus, University of Natal, 1990 Instruments: Piano, Voice, French Horn

1991 – M Mus University of Natal, S outh Africa 1993 Piano Performance and Dissertation

1995 Performance Licentiate in Piano, (UNISA) University of South Africa

1994 Performance Licentiate in Accompaniment, UNISA

1994 Teacher’s Licentiate in Piano, with Distinction, UNISA

1997 Private St udy: Hanover Hochschule für Musik, Germany

Instruments and Subjects Offered

All subjects offered up to Matric Level Piano Trumpet Tuba Euphonium French Horn Recorder Harmony and Theory Music History and General Music Knowledge

Extra-Mural Activities Offered

Bands, Choirs, Ensembles, Concert Clubs and Music Appreciation Societies, Outreach Activities. Computer Literacy MS Office, Blog-creation and Website development software, Finale, Sibelius 

Employment History

2008 - Vocal Coach Voice Department and 2009 and Freelance School, Portabello Productions, The New performer Space Theatre.

2006 - Repetiteur 2007 Productions included “La Boheme”, “Le Nozze di Figaro”, “Orphans of Qumbu”, “Treemonisha”, “Cosi fan Tutte”, “Showboat”, “”

2005 Music Teacher SACS High School • Subject Music: Harmony, Aural and History • Matric Subject Music Admin and Cass File Coordinator • Brass: Trumpet, French Horn, Tuba • Senior and Junior Choir

1998 - Music , Cape Town, South 2004 Coordinator Africa (5 Schools – 1 High School, 1 Middle School, 3 Primary Schools) • As Coordinator, created a Music Department (from scratch) that offers a full range of musical activities • As Head of Department, created 5 Contract Positions, assisting and coordinating these plus 15 Private Instrumental teachers • As HOD, developed OBE Curriculum and Materials, Focussing initially on Middle School levels, but presently incorporating all grades. • As HOD Managed full budget for 9 schools, plus special funds and donations. • As choirmaster and bandleader, initiated and trained various bands and 8 choirs for regular performances both on and off campus.  • As Subject Music Teacher, taught Subject Music, with many Distinctions for Subject Music • Produced BMUS students presently studying at UCT, Australian and Israeli Universities. • As Musical Director, I directed and managed numerous Musicals, Shows and Jewish Festivals. • Televised performance: WOW Festival. • Various Televised Performances on “Tapestries” (SABC3)

2004 Guest Teacher Opera School and Choral Academy, University and Vocal of Natal, South Africa Coach • While on leave from Herzlia I prepared students from UND for a performance of Mozart’s Opera “Cosi fan Tutte”

200 2 - Co-auth or Maskew Miller “Kagiso” Arts & Culture 2005 Textbooks, Grades 7, 8 and 9 • I co-authored three OBE-focussed textbooks, accepted for submission to the Education Dept. as prescribed texts • Sold in excess of 150 000 copies

1997 – Music Teacher Di ocesan College (Bishop’s), Cape Town, South 1998 (Part-time) Africa

• High School Brass, (Trumpet and Euphonium) and Piano, up to Matric Level.

1997 – Accompanist Opera School, University of Cape Town, South 1998 and Vocal Africa Coach • Preparing opera students for concerts and examinations • Performing as part of the Opera School Productions • Rehearsal pianist for shows including “Carousel” at the Baxter Theatre 

1996 Matric Free State Education Department, South Africa Examiner: Music • Set and Examined Matric Music Papers in Harmony, Theory and Music History

1995 – Head of St. Andrew’s School, Bloemfontein, South Africa 1996 Music: • Taught from Gr. 1 to GR 12 • Ran choirs and ensembles • Organist for daily Chapel services • Created Subject Music as a Matriculation subject • Produced pupils who have performed at Wigmore Hall, London, and study at the Royal Academy of Music • Produced winners in the “Werner Nel National Singing Competition”

1994 Music Teacher Brebner School, Bloemfontein, South Africa

• Taught Subject Music in the High School • Piano and Recorder in the Primary school • Ran choirs in Primary and Secondary School

1993 Secretary South African Pastoral Region Catholic Music Committee

• Collecting, editing and composing material for a Hymn Book

1993 Music Teac her Sacred Heart Primary School, Oudtshoorn, South Africa

• Taught Primary School Class Music • Initiated the first ever Musical Production at the school

 Teaching experience summary

• Tertiary: 6 years • Secondary and Primary: 15 years • Kindergarten: 10 years • Adult Education: 4 Years (part-time) • Choirs, Orff and Ensembles: 20 years

Teaching experience

Instruments taught: Piano From beginner to Matric Subject Music level • 16 years

French Horn From Beginner to Grade 8 • 4 years

Euphonium Ma tric Subject Level • 2 years

Trumpet From Beginner to Matric Subject level • 3 years

Recorder Ind ividual and Ensemble as well as Classes • 13

African Drumming and Group Basic level Percussion • 2 years

Curriculum Teaching Experience: Subject Music Up to M atric Level • 12 years

Class Music Pre -grade 1 to Gr. 12 • 7 years

Special Needs and Remedial Grade 1 to Gr. 10 level • 6 years

 Teaching experience (continued)

Choirs, Concerts and Musicals School Choirs Primary and Secondary Choirs

• Sacred Heart Primary Choir • Brebner High School and Primary School Choirs • St Andrew’s Junior Choir- taking part in Free State Choir Festival, etc. • Creating 8 Choirs for the Herzlia System, ranging from High School to Foundation Phase, maintaining a performance schedule of roughly 50 events per year. • SACS Choral programme: Participating in combined concerts with other schools such as “African Sanctus”, Eisteddfods and other performances. • Cape Town Opera Chorus: Various concerts and performances as a freelance choral trainer since leaving official employment of Cape Town Opera. • I was on the staff of the National Youth Choir Course at the Drakensberg Boys Choir School in 1997, 1998, 2000 and 2001

Adult Choirs • I regularly work as accompanist and assistant MD to the Philharmonia and Symphony Choirs as well as training competition winners for Tirisano Eisteddfods. • I have been official accompanist and/or adjudicator for choral Eisteddfods annually since 1993. • I have Assistant Chorus Master for Cape Town Opera on various projects.

School Musicals and Kin dergarten to Secondary Schools Shows School Productions include: • West Side Story, • Peter Pan, • Annie, • Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, • Oklahoma, • Camelot, • Bugsy, • Dinosaurs and all that Rubbish, • Grease, and • Various shows compiled or co-scripted by myself.

I have also provided music for Jewish Festivals, both in school and in the community. Highlights include the annual Yom Ha’atzmauth Concert at Ratunga Junction, the Yiddish Song Festival at the Baxter Theatre, and Television performances on “Tapestries”.



Prizes and Awards Music Performance and Academic Achievement

2008 Production Winner 2 Fleur du Caps “Assassins” (New Space Theatre) http://www.tonight.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=352&fArticleId=47059 46

2008 6 Nominations Fleur du Cap “Ander Tongval” http://www.artzone.co.za/template_level2.asp?parentseq=6075

2007 Production Winner London Critics’ Olivier Award “Magic Flute” (Duke of York’s Theatre: London) http://www.portobellopictures.com/Theatre-Portobello- Productions/The-Magic-Flute-Impempe-Yomlingo http://www.magicflutethemusical.com/

2001 Nominated Fleur du Cap award for “Best Contribution to a Musical” at the Grahamstown National Arts Festival, South Africa, for “Tango Del Fuego” directed by Marthinus Basson.

2001 Winner “Most Innovative Dance and Movement Work” at the Klein Karoo Nationale Kunstefees (Arts Festival), South Africa, for “Tango Del Fuego”, directed by Marthinus Basson

1998- Performance Merit I was awarded a special Merit Bonus 5 times at Herzlia School 2004 Bonus 1997 Finalist ATKV National Music Competition (Piano)

1995 Special Merit Award Highest marks awarded in any category at the Free State Eisteddfod

1993 Post-Graduate South African Institute for Catholic Education Scholarship 1992 First Prize Natal University Performer’s Competition

1991 Second Prize Natal University Young Composers’ Competition (No First Prize was awarded)

1991 Finalist Durban Symphony Orchestra Youth Festival

1991 Post-Graduate H.S.R.C. ( Human Sciences Research Council) Scholarship 1991 Post-Graduate Emanuel Cathedral, Durban, South Africa Bursary 1991 Graduate Scholarship Natal University, South Africa

1991 Graduate Natal University, South Africa Assistantship 1991 Finalist Durban Arts Chamber Music Competition

1990 Winner University of Natal Music Competition

1989 Silver Medal Natal Eisteddfod 

CD Recordings and Commercial products

1. Alfred Schnittke: Concerto Grosso #1: Soloist with Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Owain Orwell Hughes Bis Records: BISCD1727 http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/Namedrill?album_group=1&name_id=56391&nam e_role=3

2. Hendrik Hofmeyr: Sinfonia Africana Orchestral Pianist with Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra http://www.classicalmusic.co.za/tabid/57/ProductID/11/PageIndex/1/Default.aspx

3. Cape Town Tango Ensemble: El Tango en Africa Piano soloist and Arranger http://rhythmmusicstore.com/music/58/Cape-Town-Tango-Ensemble/El-Tango-En- Africa

4. eTV: “Backstage” Episode “The Lesson” 2003

5. eTv: “Stokvel” Episode “The Barber”

6. Film Soundtrack: The Tango Lesson – Independent Production

7. Fleur Du Cap Award Ceremony 2007 – Kyknet

8. Paulaner Music Festival – International DVD to be released Oct 2009

9. As yet untitled CD with Louise Howlett: Release date Oct 2009

10. Tango of Good Hope – with Cape Town Tango Ensemble: Release date Oct 2009

11. Hindemith “Vier Temperamente” – Natal Philharmonic Orchestra, David Tidboald, 1988

 Publications 2009 http://acombrink.wordpress. com/ A professional blog linked to my live performances which has been read more than 1000 times in the last 4 months 2006 Kagiso Arts and Culture Learner’s Book Grade 9 Maskew Miller -Longman (Combrink, Pather, Hill, Moore, Ryder) ISBN 0-798-66980-2

2006 Kagiso Arts and Culture Teacher’s Guide Grade 9 Maskew Miller -Longman (Combrink, Pather, Hill, Moore, Ryder) ISBN 0-798-67004-5

2006 Kagiso Arts and Culture Learner’s Book Grade 8 Maskew Miller -Longman (Combrink, Pather, Hill, Devine) ISBN 0-798-66917-9

2006 Kagiso Arts and Culture Teacher’s Guide Grade 8 Maskew Miller -Longman (Combrink, Pather, Hill, Devine) ISBN 0-798-66916-0

2005 Kagiso Arts and Culture Learner’s Book Grade 7 Maskew Miller -Longman (Combrink, Devine, Gasa, Hill, Ryder) ISBN 0-798-66836-9

2005 Kagiso Arts and Culture Teacher’s Guide Grade 7 Maskew Miller -Longman (Combrink, Devine, Gasa, Hill, Ryder) ISBN 0-798-66851-2

2005 Kagiso Kuns en Kultuur Leerdeboek Graad 7 Maskew Miller -Longman (Combrink, Devine, Gasa, Hill, Ryder) ISBN 0-798-66863-6

2005 Kagiso Kuns en Kultuur Onderwysersgids Graad7 Maskew Miller -Longman (Combrink, Devine, Gasa, Hill, Ryder) ISBN 0-798-66862-8

March Herbert Howells: Two South African Songs: South African Journal of 2002 Publication review Musiciology

October Emma Renzi: A Tribute (CD Review) South African Journal of 2001 Musicology March A Garland of Spanish Song: Andrea Catzel and South African Journal of 1998 Tomas Rajna (CD Review) Musicology

1997 Die Mis van St. Philip Neri (The first Afrik aans Oudtshoorn Katolieke Missa Vox Populi) Oratorium 

UndergraduateCourses

Music History 1, 2 and 3 English 1 Music Theory, Form and Harmony German 1 1,2 and 3 First Practical Study 1, 2 and 3 Greek and Roman Drama (Piano) Second Practical Study 1, 2 and 3 Classical Civilisation (Solo Singing and French Horn) Performance 1 and 2 (Merit) (Piano) Piano Methodology (UOVS) Composition 1 (Merit) Methodology of Aural Training and Harmony (UOVS) Aural Perception 1, 2 and 3 (Merit) Instrumental Teaching Method (Merit)

List of Referees

1. Prof. Virginia Davids (Head of Vocal Studies, UCT), Private Bag, 7700 Tel: 021-6502626

2. Dr. David Smith (Head of Opera School and Choral Studies, Natal University), P.O. Box 41227, Rossburgh, 4072 Tel: 031-2617146

3. Mr. Stuart Scott (Head of Department) Prep. (Bishop’s), 22 Bowwood Avenue, Claremont, Capetown, Tel: 021-611934

4. Mr. John Walton (Head Of Music) School, Newlands Avenue, Newlands, Cape Town 7700, Tel: 021 689 4164





Personal Qualities: I am a people’s person with excellent communication skills. I would describe myself as highly self-motivated, a "self-starter" with abundant enthusiasm, who thrives when given responsibilities and when allowed to take initiative. My broad musical background and diversity of work and extra-curricular experiences have developed me as a well- integrated and tolerant person. Music Teaching I have developed considerable experience in teaching music (at University, Primary- and Secondary school level, and in three provinces). This has given me insight into the educational challenges facing teachers in this country. While the historical imbalances in the provision of music teachers presents an obvious challenge; music education more generally is often low on the list of educational priorities. In my own teaching, I have tried to go beyond the curriculum. I was appointed Head of Music at St. Andrew’s School in 1995. Apart from teaching Piano and Class Music I played the Organ for daily Chapel Services and Congregational practises and coached a String- and Wind Ensemble that provided music for Chapel Services. I designed the curriculum and ran the School’s Post Matric Music Course. My excellent results led me to be invited to be Matric Music examiner for the Free State in 1996, for Practical, Harmony and Theory, and History of Music. I teach Conducting to selected pupils, and one of my pupils won two categories of the Panasonic National Conductor’s Competition: Orchestral as well as Choral Conducting. My pupils have conducted, amongst others, the Johannesburg Symphony Orchestra, the Northwest Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Free State Senior Brass Band. As a Solo Singing teacher, my most notable success has been a pupil who won the Werner Nel National Singing Competition . My pupils have also achieved the following: • Merit and Distinction passes in the Royal Schools Examinations, up to Gr. 8 singing. • soloist status in Youth Concerto Festivals and the National Youth Choir. • masterclasses with Prof. Werner Nel and Prof. Deon van der Walt. • Choral Bursary to the Blackburn Cathedral Choir and Singing Scholarship to Leeds I teach Harmony to Matric level, having honed the skill as a First- and Second Year Harmony Tutor at the University of Natal. I have produced pupils who received Distinctions for Matric Subject Music. My theory pupils range form Grades 1 to 7, with various Merit and Distinction passes. Currently I am employed by the Diocesan College (Bishop’s) to teach Trumpet, Euphonium, Tuba and Bugle to High School Subject pupils. I have initiated Song-writing Workshops in conjunction with well-known South African light music writers Coenie de Villiers and Lucas Maree. I also trained two Rock Bands, one specialising in "Heavy Metal" repertoire. They perform regularly to huge crowds and have broadcast on "Radio Five".  I attribute my success in such a wide range of subjects to my excellent Communication Skills. My passionate love for music fires my desire to "market" music, and to open up new worlds of experience for adults and children. My strategy is always to combine Education and Entertainment into "Edutainment". Outreach Activities: Ever since I matriculated a very important part of my development as a South African musician has been to broaden my experience beyond the institutions where I was studying or teaching. I have been very involved with Community Choirs as a trainer, conductor, accompanist and adjudicator. I have been involved with the Voice of Africa Competition on a yearly basis since 1987. Radio Transkei invited me to design Training Workshops for conductors and to assist in repertoire selection for choirs. I gave regular Concerts in Kwa Mashu both with choirs and as soloist as part of the Community Projects of the University of Natal which also included the first ever Mozart Opera to be performed in Zulu . I was responsible for intiating the sharing of resources of the historically white Free State Musicon with the wider Community. While still a student I taught Piano, Keyboard, Advanced Keyboard and Theory at the Ukusa Centre for Adult Black Education in Durban. I gained valuable experience in cross-cultural education in a group-teaching situation, as well as dealing with language barriers in creative yet informative ways. Here I had invaluable experience in teaching non-western musical concepts. As the first and only white teacher in a historically disadvantaged school for Coloured children in Oudtshoorn, I was brought into direct contact with South Africa’s educational and political difficulties. I was forced to address the issue of Eurocentricism and the relevance of European culture to poverty-stricken schoolchildren. In Oudshoorn, I became a point of contact between different communities. I was very active in political and educational programmes as well as music productions. In the tensions often arising from direct confrontation between apparently opposing political groups, music often became an instrument of reconciliation and unification. This aspect of my job was challenging and I was fortunate to be in close contact with the Oudtshoorn Oratory. I was particularly inspired by Bishop Adam’s ability to diffuse the potentially explosive situations, an almost impossible task in the time before the first Democratic Election. My Networking abilities and Interpersonal skills enabled me to initiate integrated musical experiences unprecedented in the traditionally conservative community, such as training a black Protestant choir to sing a Catholic Mass I had written in a white church. I have initiated educational presentations in conjunction with Opera Africa as well as Multicultural Educational Workshops in Bloemfontein. Computer and Recording Technology: Courses in Composition at Natal University introduced me to the technological side of music. The recording projects in which I have been involved include: 1. Sound sampling and mixing for a Ballet for the NAPAC Dance Company, produced in their studio, 2. Acting as assistant sound technician for a CD recording by the Durban Men’s Choir (UDW Studio), 3. Creating backing tracks for various shows and  4. Recording and Editing a CD of Gospel Music with "Hart AudioVisual" and Riverside Studios (Cape Town). Currently, I am very excited about the potential role of computer-based multimedia and the internet in educational projects. My latest performance strategy is to present Multimedia Piano Recitals - a highly powerful communicative and educational tool. I am familiar with the following sequencing, publication, editing and authoring software : Finale 3.0.4, Encore 4.0, Cubase, Cakewalk Professional, Orchestrator Plus, Sound Edit 16, FrontPage (Web Authoring) and Quest (MultiMedia Authoring). Performing Experience: Pianist As a solo pianist I have performed Nationally and Internationally in various venues, including the Musikhochshule: Hanover and the Staatliche Hochschule für Musik: Münich and City Halls such as Durban and Capetown. I have played in the Playhouse Theatre, the Napac Cellar and the Sand Du Plessis Theatre for the Performing Arts Councils of Napac and Pacofs. I also perform regularly at Universities such as the SA College of Music (including the Baxter Theatre) Durban, Durban-Westville, the Odeon theatre at Free State University and the Wits Great Hall. I have recorded and broadcast for the SABC both as soloist and chamber musician. I have also premiered new works, some of which were especially written for me. I have also won competitions and festivals. In the field of Chamber Music I have performed with members of various professional orchestras, including the Principal Cellist of the Natal Philharmonic Orchestra and various soloists. I was finalist in a Chamber Music Competition while still a student. As soloist with orchestra I have performed often with orchestras throughout the country, most notably with the Natal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Dr. David Tidboald, in fourteen performances of Hindemith’s "Die Vier Temperamente". I also recorded this work for broadcast and use in performances by the NAPAC Dance Company. Reptiteur work and vocal coaching form a large part of my experience. I am presently employed by the Opera School of the University of Cape Town as Vocal Coach and Accompanist. On an educational tour of Europe earlier this year I did freelance vocal coaching in Manchester. I was part-time ballet pianist for the NAPAC Dance Company where I worked with such figures as Ashley Killar (Scotland), Diane Richards (Tokyo), and Bart Cook (New York City Ballet). I have coached soloists from the NAPAC and PACOFS, and performed at short notice with members of the Roodepoort City Opera Cast of "Rigoletto". My skills in these areas were developed at the Natal Technikon Opera School and the Natal University Opera Department. I have acted as repetiteur for a wide variety of musical works and styles. French Horn I studied the Horn at University level up to third year. Among others, I have been an ad-hoc member of the following orchestras: • Pacofs Symphony Orchestra • Free State Youth Orchestra • Durban Symphony Orchestra  • Pietermaritzburg Philharmonic Society Tertiary Studies: Undergraduate Courses Music History 1, English 1 2 and 3 Music Theory, German 1 Form and Harmony 1,2 and 3 First Practical Greek and Study 1, 2 and 3 Roman Drama (Piano) Second Practical Classical Study 1, 2 and 3 Civilisation (Solo Singing and French Horn) Performance 1 Piano and 2 (Merit) Methodology (Piano) (UOVS) Composition 1 Methodology of (Merit) Aural Training and Harmony (UOVS) Aural Perception Instrumental 1, 2 and 3 Teaching Method (Merit) (Merit)

PROOFOFQUALIFICATIOS: • MATRICCertificate • SeniorCertificateFree State Education Dept 1986 • BMUS • 4YearDegree–Including 3 rd Year Teaching Method Certification , University of Natal 1990 • MMUS • 2YearPostgraduateDegree,  University of Natal, 1994 • Teacher’sLicentiate • 1yearPostGraduateDiploma, UNISA, 1994 • Performer’sLicentiate: • 1yearPostGraduateDiploma, Piano UNISA, 1995 • Performer’sLicentiate: • 1YearPostGraduateDiploma, VocalAccompaniment UNISA, 1995 • LanguageCompetency • CompletedatFreeStateUniversity Document Education Department, 1994 • MusicTheoryGrade8 • 1yearUndergraduateDiploma, UNISA 1994 • PianoGrade8 • IyearUndergraduateDiploma, UNISA 1994 • MusicTheoryGrade8 • 1YearUndergraduateDiploma, Associated Board of the Royal schools of Music, University of Natal, 1987 CERTIFICATIOOFWORKEXPERIECE

DATE WORK 1 Jan 1988 – 31 Dec 1992 University of Natal: Librarian • 60 Months (Part Time)

1 Jan 1991 – 31 Dec 1992 University of Natal: Tutor • 24 Months (Part Time)

7 Feb 1994 – 31 Dec 1995 Editor “Nuwe Afrikaanse Katolieke Gesangboek” • 23 Months (Part Time)

1 Jan 1993 – 30 Sept 1993 Sacred Heart Primêre Skool, Oudtshoorn • 9 Months Teacher  (Full Time)

1 Oct 1993 – 31 Dec 1993 Brebner High School, Bloemfontein, • 3 Months Teacher (Full Time)

1 Jan 1994 – 31 Dec 1994 Brebner Primary School, Bloemfontein • 12 Months Teacher • (Certificate of Service has been requested from Free State Education Department, but not yet received . Document stating date of leaving service is provided) (Full Time)

1 Jan 1995 – 31 Dec 1996 Saint Andrew’s School, Bloemfontein. • 24 Months Head of Music (Full Time)

1996 – 1997 Free State Education Department, Matric Examiner • (Certificate of Service has been requested from Free State Education department, but has not yet been received, see sworn statement)

1 March 1997 – 30 Nov 1997 University of Cape Town Opera School 1 March 1998 – 31 April 1998 Lecturer, Vocal Coach and Accompanist • 11 Months Full Time (11 Months) 1 May – 30 Nov 1998 Part Time (7 Months) • 7 Months

1 Feb 1997 – 31 June 1998 Diocesan College (Bishop’s) • 16 Months Teacher (Part Time)

20 Apr 1998 – 31 Dec 2004 United Herzlia Schools, Cape Town • 6 Years 8 Months Head of Department (Full Time)