08/09/2017 I TERM 3 I NEWSLETTER
ISSUE 58
INSIDE: CONDOLENCES TO MICHAELHOUSE
It is fast approaching the end of the third term and the Grade 9 RADIO INTERVIEWS boys now have approximately eleven Wednesday concerts left, before their last Noёl tour ever! Time is certainly going very fast and this must be a sign of just how busy everyone is.
STARLIGHT CLASSICS
Follow me to page 2
MESSAGEMESSAGE FROM FROM OUR THE EXECUTIVEEXECUTIVE HEAD HEAD
CONDOLENCES TO MICHAELHOUSE…CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
In light of the recent bus tragedy at Michaelhouse, I have sent a message to the Rector, Mr Greg Theron, I wouldwishing like to take them this God’s opportunity blessings to thank at thisthe School terrible community time. I knowfor producing the stress yet another and responsibility great MiMs weekend. that rest In onparticular, the I would shoulderslike to thank of all all the the boys teachers for their and tremendous staff of a resilience,school on dedication a daily basis and and professionalism this type of during tragedy the is preparation something and every the event itself. Weschool tries to avoid at all costs.GOODBYE I know that TO when STEVEN our boys AND are onMELANIE the road, …I cannotCONTINUED fully FROM relax PAGE until 1 they have reached their destination. Our thoughts and prayers should be with the Dloti family, who tragically lost their son Themba, and with all the boys and staff who were involved in the accident.
On a lighter note, I would like to thank and congratulate the boys and staff at Starlight Classics, for putting together what we anticipate to be a wonderful Drakie performance at the event. From what has been conveyed to me, the boys have put in lots of hard work, and are showcasing themselves exceptionally. Well done and thank you.
Boys not going on tour this weekend will be focusing on passing songs, etc.; while on Saturday, they will have a short concert for the Porsche Group. They will also be given the opportunity to see all the cars, which the club will display for us. This should be very interesting for them – something different anyway.
Enjoy your weekend, and to the Gauteng parents - thank you for hosting our boys once again.
Andrew Stead
2
NEWS FROM THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT
CONCERT STATUS
Congratulations to Matthew Beuster and Kigen Chepkonga on receiving their Concert Status.
Connor Lessle, Matthew Beuster, Bernard Krüger (Artistic Director), Kigen Chepkonga and Sabelo Mazwi
The moment all Drakies strive for: that moment you receive your jabot
SOLOISTS OF THE CONCERT
3
CONCERT AWARDS – 6 SEPTEMBER 2017 COMMENDABLE PERFORMANCES
Owen Mngewu Liam Muller Odirile Mokoma
Brian Xulu Mmanga Pepu Max Tanesse
Ntakaso Mbuli Neo Ramalitse Oratile Pega
4
OUTSTANDING SOLOIST CHORISTER OF THE WEEK
Odirile Mokoma Neo Ramalitse
VOICE GROUP OF THE CONCERT: ALTOS
NEW BOYS OF THE WEEK
Siya Mpofu Mohau Tladi
Marco Marais Nthando Mbele
5
NEWS FROM THE MARKETING DEPARTMENT
RADIO INTERVIEWS
Mike van Vuren, Andrew van Vuren, Ryan Smith, Alex Brits and Kenny Kabak at Radio 702 It was a busy week marketing our school on different radio stations. We had airtime on 702, Impact Radio and Pretoria FM. Thank you to Mike van Vuren (Chairman of the Board), Andrew van Vuren (Old Boy), Kenny Kabak (DBCS Conductor), Ryan Smith, Alex Brits, Ntsako Lekula and Matthew Evans for representing DBCS. You were all true ambassadors. Belinda Espag
Alex Brits, Ntsako Lekula and Matthew Evans Alex Brits, Ntsako Lekula and Matthew Evans at at Pretoria FM Impact Radio
6
7
STARLIGHT CLASSICS
Twenty-seven boys have had the opportunity to come and perform at Starlight Classics in Johannesburg this weekend. The schedule has been very demanding so far but as the days have progressed so have the performances. The boys are being conducted by Richard Cock and are sharing the stage with Karen Zoid, Freshly Ground and Josh Ansley (The Voice) just to name a few. Although demanding, the experience gained at this event is priceless. I look forward to share more with you all over the weekend on Facebook and in next week’s Take Note. Have a wonderful weekend.
Tanya Hildebrand
8
NEWS FROM THE SPORT DEPARTMENT
Participating in cross-country is hard work, but what a reward to cool down in the rivers in the mountain.
Dylan Palm Connor Lessle and Liam Muller
Jordyn Fraser and Connor Mckenzie Jordyn Fraser and Matthew Beuster
9
SNIPPETS FROM THE SAN
Another week of heavenly music floating on an alpine breeze as I minister to angelic young men has passed.
What bliss! Furthermore, everyone is dutifully collecting prescription meds, and the ailing are arriving timeously for treatment at the San. This certainly beats the customary five-minute-bell stampede. The payoff for the boys is that it makes me a little nicer than usual.
A couple of weeks ago I attended the annual South African School Nurses Conference. This always proves to be a lively and enlightening affair. The delegates thrive on the vibrant social and intellectual exchanges inherent in the occasion. There is much affirmation to be found in engaging with fellow professionals who have perfected the art of being nasty to children. There are exceptions, of course, and a few of the girls are genuinely kind people. One finds them in the newbie group. They mostly don’t last. The School Sisters all have a merry old time swapping tips on how to deter habitual malingerers and thwart the endeavors of the skivers. Sometimes the happy coven even share healthcare tidbits. Guest speakers scintillated us with lectures on topics such as how to kill Head Lice. Actually, other subjects covered included Diabetes, Bipolar Disorder, Substance Abuse, Sports Injuries (by the Sharks doctor – so he should know) and much much more. Splendid meals were enjoyed throughout the weekend, wine flowed freely in the evenings, and we slept soundly in the genteel boarding environs of a posh girls’ school. Most satisfactory, all round. Traditionally, at the close of the annual event, the plan for the following year’s conference comes under discussion. Every year, without fail, my peers ask me to host it at DBCS. It seems they have a thing for our mountains. Every year I say no. Aside from other logistical concerns and my lack of organisational skills, I have to explain that our boarding facilities (shared cubicles and boys’ bathrooms) may not be up to their standards. Urinals don’t really do it for us.
Then there is the problem of wine-infused matronly snoring. As has been learnt at previous conferences, even ceiling-high dry walling doesn’t contain the sound - so our half-baked room divisions certainly wouldn’t cut it.
It is surely a travesty that school Sickbay budgets seldom extend to hotel accommodation for Sisters/Sistas attending the SASNA conventions. This contrasts sharply with conference protocols for colleagues working in other disciplines. I bet they all get paid more than us as well.
Sour grapes for anyone?
Sister Lianne
10
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Ndalo Gumede Dalitso Phiri 10 September 12 September
Michael de Goede Mrs Adri Dowling 13 September 11 September
11
DRAKENSBERG BOYS CHOIR SCHOOL
Calendar 8 September – 17 September 2017
DATE EVENT TIME
8 – 10 September Starlight Classics
SCA
Staff Briefing 10:20 - 10:40
10 September Chapel 10:00 - 11:00
SCA 18:00 - 19:00
11 September Staff Briefing 07:20 - 07:30
Assembly 07:25 - 07:45
Prefects Tea 10:40 - 11:40
Staff Meeting 14:30 - 15:30
13 September Wednesday Concert 15:30 - 17:30
14 September IMC Round 1
Assembly 10:05 - 10:25
15 September IMC Round 2
Staff Briefing 10:20 - 10:40
16 September Academics 08:00 - 12:30
17 September Chapel 10:00 - 11:00
SCA 18:00 - 19:00
+
PRIVATE BAG X20 | WINTERTON 3340 | KWAZULU-NATAL | SOUTH AFRICA
Tel: +2736 468 1012 | Fax: +2736 468 1709 | Email: [email protected] | www.dbchoir.com