From the new Head of Music 2017

Mr Jaco Goosen: MMus, UTLM

It was with great enthusiasm that I took over as Head of the Music Department in 2017. I saw it as a privilege to be associated with an institution that is regarded in such high esteem, but also a challenge because change is inevitable.

As a department, we discussed, brainstormed and formulated an exciting vision that highlighted the growth of our ensemble programme, the expansion of our brass, lower strings, and percussion branches, the introduction of the Jazz stream, incorporating Rustenburg Girls’ Junior School in our music events, and exploring the possibilities of various tours.

2017 started off on a positive note by celebrating the success of the Grade 12 Music Class of 2016 in their NSC music examinations. The class received an average of 89.8% with Hannah Clayton being first, and Lauren Pienaar fourth for Music in the province.

We welcomed Ms Carla Stokes as part-time clarinet teacher, and Mr Murray Buitendag as full-time Brass and Jazz teacher. Unfortunately, we had to say goodbye to Ms Maileen Jamey who decided to take up a teaching position at Rustenburg Girls’ Junior School. Even though we knew that her presence would be missed, we supported her decision. Her post was filled by Ms Juanita Atkinson, former Head of Music at Rondebosch Boys’ Preparatory School. All the new teachers have been wonderful additions. Spanish Dance.The Judith Dernier Piano Prize was awarded to Victoria Fokkens of Westerford.

Our ensemble programme continues to grow. Ensembles were involved in several internal and external events. We introduced several new projects this year such as the Picnic Concert, combined Musical Showcase with Rustenburg Girls’ Junior School, Lunchtime Ensemble concerts, the Take Note Prestige Evening, and the Combined Festival of Praise evening. The Orchestra participated in the FACETS Senior School Bands competition, receiving 88% and winning the first prize. Stephanie Keyser and Kaitlin Downie were selected for the National Youth Orchestra, and Imke Mühr became only our third instrumentalist to be selected for the Standard Bank National Schools’ Big Band as second trombonist.

Rustenburg was well represented at the annual Cape Town and Kaapse Afrikaanse Eisteddfod. Kaitlin Downie, Kim Younsung (violins) and Jiyoon Jeon (harpsichord) were part of an ensemble that received a Gold medal. Kim-Joy Damon (piano recital) and Bianca Cilliers, together with Mishka Sooful (recorder duet), were awarded silver medals.

The annual Subject Music outing to a rehearsal with the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra took place in February. They presented a vibrant programme by Russian composers Prokofiev, Shostakovich, and Stravinsky. Our Music Workshop evening for our subject music pupils consisted of a drum circle by Beat It, and was thoroughly enjoyed by the girls and the teachers. We celebrated the anniversaries of Gershwin, Ravel, Granados, Milhaud, Joplin, Kodaly and South African composers at our eighth Piano Festival, with Tertia Downie as our guest speaker, assisted by Bridget and Petri Salonen on the interesting music of Ravel, Milhaud, and South African composer Peter Louis van Dijk. Congratulations to Jiyoon Jeon who was awarded a special prize at the event for her interpretation of a Granados

The Music Awards Ceremony took place on the last day of Term 3. Our guest speaker was Trevino Isaacs, co-founder of the Mitchells Plain Music Academy. He shared his inspirational music journey with the school and was well received.

The Music Department is already looking forward to 2018 as we have some exciting projects planned for next year, such as the introduction of the Jazz stream in Grade 10. Let me end off with my favourite quote by Shakespeare, “If music be the food of life, play on.” This is exactly what we intend to do!