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CONCERT STATUS

TUNGAY NEWS

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21/09/2018 I TERM 3 I NEWSLETTER

ISSUE

96

I was proud of our touring boys last weekend. What promised to be

a hop and a skip to the coast for the weekend, became an intense

and very busy experience as we hurried to Ballito for a morning and

then an evening performance, and then raced up to Hilton on

Sunday for an afternoon concert at the Hilton Arts’ Festival.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

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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

GOODBYE TO STEVEN AND MELANIE…CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

MESSAGE FROM THE

EXECUTIVE HEAD

MESSAGE FROM OUR

EXECUTIVE HEAD

ON THE ROAD AGAIN… (Continued from page 1)

There was little or no time for relaxation and we certainly never had a chance to take in the sights and sounds of the seaside.

1980s singer-song-writer, Jackson Browne best described life on a tour bus in the lyrics to his song, “The Load Out,” when he

lamented,

We’ve got time to think of the ones we love

While the miles roll away

But the only time that seems too short

Is the time that we get to play…

‘Cos when that morning sun comes beating down

You’re going to wake up in your town

But we’ll be scheduled to appear

A thousand miles away from here…

But he was also astute enough to remember, just why he did it, as he illustrates in the last two lines below…

We’ve got to drive all night…and do a show in Chicago

Or Detroit, I don’t know

We do so many shows in a row

And these towns all look the same

We just pass the time in our hotel rooms

Or wander round back stage

Till those lights come up and we hear that crowd

And we remember why we came

Without a doubt, the time on stage, under the lights, in front of an adoring audience, receiving their accolades and basking in

the glory of a show well done, are what keeps our boys and every other performing artist coming back for more.

Or is it?

With digital music becoming (supposedly) cheaper and less profitable for artists, but also completely impersonal for listeners,

top musicians are choosing to hit the road in order to hang onto their fan-base, but more importantly it seems, to make a

living. Billy Joel, the 68-year-old rocker, just announced a fifth consecutive year of performances at several giant stadia across

the US, including Chicago’s Wrigley Field and Boston’s Fenway Park, totalling over 1 million tickets sold!

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Lady Gaga is currently in a two-year residency at a Las Vegas theatre that will pay her $75 million in total and Beyonce, who

was the world’s highest-paid musician in 2017, made 90% of her income from her sensational world tour. The paltry 10%

remaining came from album sales.

And - believe this or not - even Roy Orbison is touring again, although he has been dead for 30 years! Orbison’s hologram

undertakes a tour of the UK this year and next year ABBA’s hologram (although they are still very much alive!) will also go

on tour.

Hmmm, makes one think. Two concert choirs on the road, the real Chef on one tour and his hologram on the other. The

Headmaster lying on a beach in Mauritius while his hologram takes Monday’s assembly.

I think I might be on to something here!

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As is the case in every school, teachers come and go. Ours is no exception, and it is with regret that I announce the

following changes for 2019 in our staff complement:

Gretha Roberts, who has championed Mathematics here for 2 years, leaves us to join her husband in his business and to spend more time with her infant son.

Keegan Bentley, an Old Boy of the School, has decided he needs to experience life outside of our hallowed halls.

Belinda Espag, will be leaving the School after three years running our Marketing department. She will take up a position in a new school in 2019.

Van Wyk Oosthuizen returns to Bloemfontein to get married and to return to university to complete reading for his degree.

We shall announce their replacements as soon as possible.

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Our 3rd term draws to an end next week with our mini-tour to Johannesburg. Do enjoy the time ahead with your boy.

School reopens on Monday 8 October, unless you are part of the Dads ‘n’ Lads Maintenance Weekend, in which case we’ll

see you on the previous Friday.

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Last Word.

It’s funny how the music industry is enraged by the Internet and the way things are copied without being paid for. But you

know why people steal the music? Because they can’t afford the music! (Tom Petty)

Till next time,

Greg Brooks

Executive Head

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CONCERT STATUS

Congratulations to Olerato Pega and Wade Breedt on receiving Concert Status!

To their mentors Matthew Robinson and Ntakaso Mbuli, congratulations on a job well done.

Olerato Pega

Wade Breedt Ntakaso Mbuli and his mentee Wade Breedt

Olerato Pega and his mentor Matthew Robinson

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WEDNESDAY CONCERT AWARDS

COMMENDABLE PERFORMANCE

Alec Gibson Tshiamo Boikhutso Vuyo Mcanyana

Caleb Saks

Itebogeng Machobane

Katlego Phetla

VOICE GROUP OF THE WEEK:

ALTOS

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CHORISTER OF THE WEEK OUTSTANDING SOLOIST

Marco Marais Geo Kirsten

NEW BOY OF THE WEEK

Xander Erasmus

MENTOR OF THE WEEK

Christopher de Scally – Joshua Stuart’s mentor

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NEW BOYS: GOOD PROGRESS WITH TESTS

Joshua Stuart

Heath Houston Kwanele Dlamini

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ACADEMIC AWARDS

Congratulations to the following Drakies for being recognised for their excellent work ethic in academics:

Grade 9

Sean Morrick - Afrikaans

Alex Brits – Afrikaans; SS

Alec Gibson – SS

Grade 8

Neo Ramalitse – Maths

Stanley Horing – Maths

Albert Sibanda – Maths

Noah Coffey – SS

Henno Klopper – SS

Connor McKenzie – SS

Sashin Rathinasamy – SS

Ndalo Gumede – SS

Luthando Nyandeni – SS

Grade 7

Nkazimulo Mabaso – SS (x 2)

Louis Hay – SS

Kieran Griffin – SS

Geo Kirsten – SS

Keenan Beeslaar – SS

Siphesihle Sigwebela - SS

Luan Wakeford – English

Grade 6

Kigen Chipkonga – Afrikaans; English

Caleb Coffey – Afrikaans

Walther de Bruin – Afrikaans

Tristan Hellberg – Afrikaans

Reece Olsen – Afrikaans

Finlay Dalrymple – English

Grade 5

Brian Brits – Afrikaans; English

Bokang Mmusi – Afrikaans

Brett Fernihough – English

Grade 4

Nicholas Robinson - Maths

Ethan Seagreen - Maths

Mishie Cato – Maths

Olerato Pega - Maths

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TUNGAY HOUSE

Tungay boys continue to enjoy themselves, either at school or at the river. Recent outings included a trip to Jelly Babies, where these intrepid explorers climbed the steep rocks on the far side and, depending on their bravery, jumped into the river from varying heights! Brave boys these. Russell’s Pool is still a great attraction although the river is a bit low. Cold water doesn’t bother these boys as long as they can have fun and a hot shower when they return. The boys also enjoy playing board games in the dorms when the weather is not so great. Fresh air and music - soul food. Keith and Merle Branch

Drakies embracing nature Now who’s scared of a little mud?

All that fun makes one quite hungry Can this be called a war of mud?

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Ntakaso Mbuli

22 September

Daniel Riceman

26 September

Sabelo Skosana

28 September

Mr Keith Branch

24 September

DATE EVENT TIME

21 September Berg and Beyond

22 September “Day in the Berg”

23- 28 September Recording Week

28 September Concert DPA at Rosebank Union Church

28 September-7

October

School Holidays

Calendar 21 September to 30 September 2018

DRAKENSBERG BOYS CHOIR SCHOOL

PRIVATE BAG X20 | WINTERTON 3340 | KWAZULU-NATAL | SOUTH AFRICA

Tel: +2736 468 1012 | Fax: +2736 468 1709 | Email: administration@dbchoir.com | www.dbchoir.com

INCORPORATED ASSOCIATION NOT FOR GAIN - NPO 002-106

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