Twenty-nine months ago the planning for our Japan tour began with a visit by Mr Wellbeloved and myself to Min-On in Tokyo.

SIX WEEKS LEFT

ZULU CULTURAL IMMERSION TRIP

MUSIC IN THE MOUNTAINS OLD BOYS 50TH CELEBRATIONS

INSIDE

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19/05/2017 I TERM 2 I NEWSLETTER

ISSUE

48

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I would like to take this opportunity to thank the School community for producing yet another great MiMs weekend. In particular, I would like to thank all the boys for their tremendous resilience, dedication and professionalism during the preparation and the event itself. We

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MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE HEAD

This was a very interesting time for both of us as a cultural experience, different business meeting protocols, the people and the East in general were new to both of us. One of the most amazing things about the Japanese is the way their cities and programmes operate. They have an amazing value system with RESPECT at the forefront of all things.

The twenty-five concerts and six school visits are going to be brilliant opportunities for those boys going and they will learn fantastic life lessons along the way. Like everything else, however, they will have to be in top form when performing in the most wonderful concert venues in the world. This is going to take hard work, discipline and effort over the next couple of months. Please let us all be supportive of the groups going, and remember that in a few short months a new group of boys will be going to Switzerland in 2018.

On a much more mundane note, the normal programme of events is unfolding with roadshows, rugby matches and cross country events taking place in the next few weeks. I trust that reports of these events will be in the Take Note for your perusal.

Wishing you all a wonderful winter weekend.

Andrew Stead

MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE HEAD

SIX WEEKS LEFT…continued from page 1

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NEWS FROM THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT

Ryan Smith

Sabelo Mazwi

Michael de Goede

Sihle Manonyane

CHOIR AWARDS FOR THE PAST WEEK

COMMENDABLE PERFORMANCES CONCERT CHOIR

VOICE GROUP OF THE CONCERT

Sopranos

Layton Abrahams

Kyle Kroats

Jesse Barth

Ben Samasuwo

Alex Brits

Vuyo Mcanyana

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Ryan Smith

Brian Xulu

NEW BOYS OF THE WEEK

SOLOIST OF THE CONCERT

MOST VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION ON STAGE

Alec Gibson

Reece Olsen

Angus Sommerville

Henno Klopper

Connor McKenzie

Damien Butt

Matthew Beuster

Dylan Palm

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The Music in the Mountains (MiMs) 50th Celebrations of the school were a resounding success. Old Boys, ex-staff and devout fans came from all over South Africa and all over the world, including Australia, Bratislava, England, Holland, Japan, Luxembourg, Namibia, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Zambia and Zimbabwe amongst others, to attend the festivities.

There were many ‘firsts’ over the weekend as well as many records set. At the 25th anniversary celebrations of the school, the Old Boys Association were very proud to have a record number of 74 Old boys who attended the weekend. In comparison, the Old Boys Association were aware of 173 Old boys who attended the MiMs 50th celebration weekend. An amazing feat and an enormous thanks is extended to all those Old Boys who took the time and trouble to join us over the weekend. This number does not include any Honorary Old Boys who attended the weekend. If your name is not amongst those who we have recorded as attending the weekend (see below) please forgive us for the oversight and inform us of your attendance and we will amend accordingly. The Old Boys performed their first own concert at a MiMs festival. Previously, the Old Boys performed their own concert at CIB in 2014 for Bunny’s 70th Birthday. At this concert there were 32 Old Boys who participated. For the MiMs 50th Old Boys Celebration Concert, 52 old boys formed the Old Boys choir and represented Old Boys from 1967 to 2016. There were four past conductors; Desmond Wright (1968-69), Lionel van Zyl (1973-1981), Gerard’d du Toit (1987-1989) and Vaughan van Zyl (1996-1998), three past accompanists; Annalien du Plessis (1982-1986), Vaughan van Zyl (1993-1995) and Liza Joubert (2011-2014) and a past sound engineer; Clive Staegemann (1999-2015), who performed in the concert with Terence Bridgett as the compere. The Wykeham Collegiate Choir also joined the Old Boys on stage for their final three items. The concert was completely sold out and additional chairs were brought in to accommodate this. The Old Boys Choir received four standing ovations at different points during the concert and we are very appreciative of the very receptive audience for this! Formal rehearsals for the concert were undertaken in Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, Greytown, Johannesburg/Pretoria, Pietermaritzburg, Port Elizabeth, Richards Bay and Stellenbosch; with informal rehearsals taking place all over the world. A massive thanks to those Old Boys who organised these rehearsals. DVDs of the concert will be available shortly at a cost R 180. Please email me should you want one.

MUSIC IN THE MOUNTAINS OLD BOYS 50TH CELEBRATIONS

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CARMINA BURANA CONCERTS The Old Boys also performed in two concerts of Carmina Burana by Carl Orff over the weekend with the current Drakies and the Wykeham Collegiate Choir. The Old Boys have performed in large works with the choir before, for example, Mozart’s Requiem in 2011 where 43 Old Boys joined the ranks. A record 62 Old Boys performed in Carmina Burana concerts over the MiMs weekend. These concerts were incredibly powerful and both received standing ovations! The soprano soloist was Vanessa Tait-Jones, the baritone and tenor solo parts were sung by Old Boy Nicholas Nicolaidis and all the percussionists for the performance were Old Boys including; Kyle Allens, Mothswane Pege, Hugo Roodt, Koketso Seboka and Jacques van der Walt, under Magda de Vries’s guidance. The pianists were Carin Louw & Lubabalo Dyasi and the conductors were of course Bernard Kruger and Kenny Kabak. CONCERTS IN JOZI BEFORE MIMS The Old Boys Association organised two concerts in Johannesburg in conjunction with Reddam House Waterfall Estate the weekend before MiMs. The first was A Choral Festival Celebrating 50 Years of the Drakensberg Boys Choir, hosted by Terence Bridgett and featuring several Choirs whose conductors were all Old Boys as well as the Old Boys Choir. The second concert was A 50th Celebration Concert of the Drakensberg Boys Choir, hosted by Terence Bridgett, and featured Loyiso Bala and many other old boys. Both were resounding successes.

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OLD BOYS 50th GALA DINNER

190 Old Boys, ex staff, current staff, board members and their spouses attended the Old Boys Gala Dinner that the Old Boys Association organised in conjunction with the school at the Drakensberg Sun which was held on Sunday the 30th April. This was a formal event and was the culmination of the weekend’s celebrations. The MC for the evening was Daryth Crawford (Chairman of the OBA). Mr Mike van Vuren (Chairman of the Board) opened the evening by welcoming all present. This was followed by an address by Andrew Stead (Executive Head) and Nic Steyn (a pioneer chorister, former Chairman of the OBA, former Chairman of the DBCS Trust and former Vice Chairman of the Board). The wines were sponsored by Distell, who supplied Durbanville Hills sparkling wine and Zonnebloem Shiraz and Sauvignon Blanc wines. The food was especially good and the company even better, with every year of the school being represented by an Old Boy present at the dinner. Richard Yell, Duke Louw, Brad Glasspoole, Nic Steyn, Johan Cloete, Michael Brown and Daryth Crawford were honoured by the Old Boys Association for the vast contributions they have made to Drakies over many years. The festivities ended with an auction of some reserve wines and paintings that were donated to the OBA. Charlotte Botha was the successful purchaser of the Deon van Dorp painting. Thanks to all who bid and were successful. Thanks also to Carolynne and Pieter Waterhouse for the generous donation.

50th ANNIVERSRY MERCHANDISE

The Old Boys Association compiled two CDs to commemorate the 50th anniversary. Volume 1 is a compilation of choral music while Volume 2 is a compilation of solos, duets and ensembles. Both represent a selection of what the Old Boys feel to be the best recordings from 1967 to 2007. Both CDs are available at R 150 each.

Limited number of 50th Old Boys ties are also available at R 300 each and 50th Commemorative pins at R 50 each.

With love and much gratitude to all.

Daryth Crawford

Chairman of the Old Boys Association

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Description

Recommended Retail

May ’17 Special Pricing

87 Litre Rolling Duffel

R5499 R3750

32L Crossover

Backpack for 15” Macbook

R1999 R1500

21L Enroute Backpack

R1499 R1100

60L Versant Hiking Bag

R3999 R3000

THULE MAY MADNESS SPECIALS

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Mom you’re the best Your love will never rest. It is sweet like wine. But steals my heart like a crime. For all our fights We always turn out right. You make teaching fun And I know you won’t stop till you’re done. I love you Mom. Luke Jansen van Vuuren Gr 7

MID-YEAR EXAM TIMETABLE

Date Subject Duration Details / Invigilation

Monday

22 May

Music Appreciation Gr4-9

To be written during MA lessons

During MA lessons (Mrs. J. Kruger)

Tuesday

23 May

Afrikaans

Gr. 4 – 9

60 min During Cycle Test lesson

Home Room Teachers

Tuesday

30 May

English (Paper 1)

Gr. 4 - 9

60 min During Cycle Test lesson

Home Room Teachers

Tuesday

6 June

Technology

Gr. 7 - 9

60 min During Cycle Test lesson

Aural Training Teachers

Friday

9 June

Session 1

Natural Science & Technology (Gr. 4 – 6)

Physical Science (Gr. 7)

Physical Science (Gr. 8,9) Session 2

Music Theory (Gr. 4 – 9)

90 min

90 min

120 min

90 min

Session 1 – Academic Staff

Session 2 – Music Staff in their Theory classes.

Saturday

10 June

Session 1

First Additional Language (Gr. 4 – 7)

Afrikaans (Gr. 8 – 9)

90 min

120 min

Session 1: Academic Staff

Monday

12 June

Session 1

Mathematics (Gr. 4 – 6)

Mathematics Paper 1 (Gr. 7 – 9) Session 2

Aural Training (written paper) (Gr. 4 – 9)

90 min

90 min

Session 1: Academic Staff

Session 2: Music Staff

Tuesday

13 June

Session 1

Social Science (Gr. 4 – 6)

History (Gr. 8,9) Session 2

Aural Training Practical Exams

90 min

Session 1: Academic Staff

Session 2: Forms part of Choir and will involve all music staff

Wednesday

14 June

Session 1

English Paper 2 (Gr. 4 – 6)

Accounting (Gr. 7 – 9)

90 min

120 min

Session 1: Academic Staff

Thursday

15 June

Session 1

English Paper 2 (Gr.7-9) Session 2

EMS (Gr. 7 – 9)

90min

90 min

Session 1: Academic Staff

Session 2: Academic Staff

Friday

16 June

Session 1

Mathematics Paper 2 (Gr. 7 – 9)

Creative Art (Photography) (Gr. 4-6)

90 min

Session 1: Academic Staff

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As we were loading the crafter early Sunday morning, nobody really knew what to expect of the day to come. All was running smoothly, but we unfortunately had a late departure because somebody had to run home to get his precious scarf (*cough* Mr. Bath *cough*). He should have taken note from the boys - all were already tucked in with their beanies, scarves, and gloves alike - precious angels, really. A loosely-defined “angels”, but you know…

From then on, the trek to our homestead, Ecabazini, was easy and without any delay. We began our tour with Lukhanyo and Amkelwa asking the local villagers if they would allow us into their homestead. After a gracious acceptance, we entered into the small village. We were treated with bountiful information about the Zulu culture. There were frequent small quizzes for the boys on their isiZulu vocabulary; however, this did not faze them. Perhaps due to Mr. Zikhali’s bleak whispering of the answers to the backs of the tour guides.

Some highlights included a contest in which some boys were selected to clean a floor with cow dung. Half-asphyxiated, the boys realized that the dung actually did not have a potent scent to it, relieving them to take in the subtle-methane air. Boys were also shown different styles of hut-like architecture and the strategies behind the craftsmanship.

ZULU CULTURAL IMMERSION TRIP

11

TOUR BROCHURE FOR JAPAN

And the moment all of us had been waiting for, traditional Zulu lunch. Food. Bless. Whilst being served the meal, it is traditional that the person serving also tries the food in front of you first, in order to show that it is safe and clean. We were delighted with different meats, cabbage, potatoes, pap, fruits, and juices, it is fair to say that all parties were in a food coma for the next few hours.

And finally, to close an insightful day, a dance and stick fight. The boys were challenged to participate in the dance in which they were to, essentially, kick as high as they could, whilst moving to a beaten drum. After a few scrutinized trials, it was decided that Richard Hildebrand was the Zulu-dance winner for the day. Then we said our goodbyes and extended our heartfelt thanks and trekked back to our caddy, for the ride back to school.

All in all, a highly educational day leaving all involved intuitive and sagacious to new cultures. A huge thanks to Mr. Zikhali for planning such an impactful opportunity.

Kenny Kabak and Greg Bath

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In Technology the Grade 8’s had a project to complete during their mid-term break. They had to build a model illustrating the different structures, in this case the different types of bridges. Some boys put in a lot of effort and handed in very interesting structures.

TECHNOLOGY AT DBCS

Kevin Jordaan Armand Kriel Qhawe Mafika

Owen Mngewu Joshua Naidoo

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The grade nines did their Physical Science practical assessment during last Saturday’s academic classes. Some interesting future scientists, don't you agree?

PHYSICAL SCIENCE

The following boys will be recorded for Radio RSG this coming Sunday:

Geo Kirsten

Nathaniel Stoffels

Armand Kriel

Kevin Jordaan

We will let you know when it will be broadcast.

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GRIFFIN HOUSE NEWS!

Boarders of the Month - April

Sabelo Mazwi Owen Mngewa.

Thanks to both for contributing towards the smooth running of Griffin House during MiMs. Your help was gratefully appreciated.

Very chilly mornings have started. Thermal underwear is needed for under the boys’ clothing. Please make sure any new clothing is marked clearly with your son’s name and laundry number.

Parents - a reminder about our grey trouser drive...

GREY TROUSER DRIVE:

As a community drive - Griffin House would like to donate their grey trousers to some of our local schools, who are part of our Legacy Project. We would like to appeal to those parents who are happy to support our initiative, to please donate grey trousers to us.

Verna Ayliffe

Odi Mokoma in action during Wednesdays concert

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GOLF DAY IN JOHANNESBURG

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SNIPPETS FROM THE SAN

A fairly ordinary week has drifted by, with regard to health matters. The inevitable red throats and problematic noses trailed into the San, as well as a myriad of minor injuries. One little guy got biffed on the nose during an altercation with a fellow ten year-old. By all accounts, it was an even battle.

Tuesdays and Thursdays are rugby nights – and by golly – does the San rock! The rugby crowd are a rowdy bunch and they arrive in exuberant droves. That they usually show up late, doesn’t weigh in their favour when seeking a gentle touch. High jinks and high noise levels tend to trigger a sudden and explosive shriek of “You don’t look very sick to me!”, at everyone within screaming distance. Sadly, screaming distance is severely compromised in the face of the chattering mob. It has been implied that I may have impulse control issues. I know of several teenage boys with the same problem. One can only hope that I will also grow out of it.

But back to the supposedly injured rugby players. While waiting to see me, they romp around, shadow-boxing and wrestling and what-not. This is, of course, accompanied by well projected, pitch-perfect sound effects. Once the budding Lambie gets to tell me his story, life can become fearfully monotonous, with endless detail of the play sequences preceding misfortune. This is before we even get to the actual mechanism of injury, which receives equal attention to detail. Mostly I see bruises of a fairly minor nature. Arnica Ice is slapped on to the offending body parts and the little blighters are duly dispatched to supper. More serious cases warrant an application of real ice.

The cross-country runners are big on post-exercise muscle pain. Day two is often the worst and courses of squats, star-jumps and stretching are commonly prescribed. Those with affected abs get to do twenty crunches, three times daily before meals.

Strangely, the tennis players seldom turn up in the San. Best I have a quiet word with Mrs. Linde about that. Perhaps they all just go off for tea, cucumber sandwiches and strawberries twice a week.

Sister Lianne

SNIPPETS FROM THE SAN

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GOLF DAY IN DURBAN

19

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Ryan Smith

22 May

Ansie du Randt

27 May

Karthi Pillay

28 May

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Armand Kriel

26 April

DATE EVENT TIME

19 May Roadshow: Gauteng

“Groot Ontbyt” (Channel 144/KykNet)

Staff Briefing

06:00

10:20 - 10:40

20 May Choir 08:00 - 12:00

21 May Chapel

Recording:RSG

SCA

10:00 - 11:00

10:00 - 12:00

18:00 - 19:00

22 May Staff Briefing

Assembly

Prefects Tea

07:20 - 07:30

07:25 - 07:45

10:40 - 11: 40

23 May Rugby: Bergville Primary 14:00 - 17:00

24 May Wednesday Concert 15:30 - 17:30

25 May Roadshow KZN

Assembly

10:05 - 10:25

26 May Roadshow KZN

Staff Briefing

10:20 - 10:40

27 May Academics

Ziedler Wedding

08:00 - 12:00

14:00 - 17:00

28 May Chapel

SCA

10:00 - 11:00

18:00 - 19:00

Calendar 19 May – 28 May 2017

DRAKENSBERG BOYS CHOIR SCHOOL

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