Competition contestants and winners from left: Mr Esewu Nobela, Ms Keziah Peel, and Mr Wayne Mkhize

The School of Music showcased exceptional classical music and performances from students and scholars at the annual

UKZN Classical Performers Competition

and subsequent gala concert.

The competition provided an excellent opportunity for young performers to display their talents and skills in classical music. The competition was separated into two categories; Scholars (Category A) and Music Students (Category B).

The music students were vocalists and instrumentalists from UKZN’s School of Music and were at different study levels.  The scholars, between the ages of 10 and 18, were from the Durban Music School, Westville Girls’ High School, Crawford College North Coast, St Mary’s Diocesan School for Girls in Kloof, Durban High School, and Durban Girls’ College.

The competition was open to any participant who felt they could take on the crowd and other contestants in the craft of classical music. The audience was particularly taken aback by the scholar performances that showcased extraordinary talent and artistry.

Category A winner was Ms Keziah Peel, a saxophonist from the Durban Music School, who is trained by Mr Wener Dannewitz.

First runner-up was home-schooled pianist, Ms Rashalia Pather, trained by UKZN’s piano lecturer, Dr Liezel Jacobs, followed by Durban High School’s Mr Sakhile Humbane, who also received the Audience Prize as a favourite performer and was deemed ‘the most promising scholar’ by adjudicators. Music student winner was tenor vocalist, Mr Esewu Nobela. Second was pianist, Mr Louis Vermaark; and third, violinist, Ms Stella Benbooi.

Category winners have been given the opportunity to perform with the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra (KZNPO) at their 2012 Campus Concert. This event will be well remembered by classical music lovers as it served the genre well through the passions of inspiring young musicians giving a continued hope for musical excellence in KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa.

The Competition was sponsored by UKZN’s College of Humanities, Old Mutual, KZNPO, Kleens Music, and Glenwood Village Music.

The 2011

BA Sound Prize

was awarded to third year student Thomas Watkeys for best mix of top Durban band Habit To 's title track 'Boomerang Saturn' during a performance by Habit To on Wednesday 9 November at the Centre for Jazz and Popular Music.

2011 UKZN Youth Jazz Festival

The School of Music and the Centre for Jazz & Popular Music presented the 6^th edition of the UKZN Youth Jazz Festival on the 24^th and 25^th October during the same week which culminated in the centre’s 23^rd annual Jazz Jol - a fund raising concert where proceeds go solely towards the Ronnie Madonsela Scholarship Fund which assists current Jazz students with university fees.

This year, in an effort to engage with local high-schools and surrounding communities, the Centre for Jazz & Popular Music (CJPM) invited several high-school learners to perform at the concerts which took place at the Centre on the Howard College campus. Repertoire representing a variety of genre’s was performed by learners from Durban High School (DHS Blues Band); Glenwood High School (GHS Brass Band); Umlazi Commercial Technical High School (UC Jazz Ensemble); Grosvenor Girls High School (Ashleigh Stapelfeldt); Dr AD Lazarus Secondary School (Jayden Daniels) and private music studio CreateMusic (Michaela Heale and Nathan Smith).

One of the objectives of the festival is to showcase the prodigious talent within both the Jazz Studies programme at UKZN and the collection of young performers representing local high schools. The festival is also intended to spearhead a new initiative to promote Jazz and Popular Music education in schools and community programmes while creating an opportunity for UKZN to create partnerships with local schools, teachers, community projects and performing artists. There is much work to be done to bridge the gap between the lack of music education in schools and university entrance requirements towards the study of Music and the School of Music hopes that the UKZN Youth Jazz Festival and associated activities will signal the School’s commitment to this challenge.

Opera Africa commissioned the one-act opera Ziyankomo and the Forbidden Fruit from composer Phelelani Mnomiya. The premiere of this work will be given during Opera Africa's first season March/April 2012 in both the SA State Theatre and the Joburg Theatre,
directed by Themi Venturas.

Zim Ngqawana

1959 - 2011

The School of Music hosted a concert and jam session in honour of the late Mr Zim Ngqawana at the Centre for Jazz and Popular Music . Celebrated jazz musician, UKZN alumnus and former-staff member, Ngqawana died recently after suffering a stroke. The jazz legend’s life was celebrated through the magic of music by musicians who had a long association with Mr Ngqawana, including staff and students. The session featured the poetry of long-time friend Professor Ari Sitas, percussionist/storyteller Mama Nomusa, multi-instrumentalist Ndikho Xaba, Dr. Sazi Dlamini, and Neil Gonsalves.

 Syd Kitchen

1951 - 2011

Durban music legend and UKZN BA(Hons) graduate Syd Kitchen has passed away. The iconic singer, musician and poet succumbed to cancer. Syd produced ten albums and was the subject of two documentaries about his life.  He would have played his 21st Splashy Fen Festival in April. 

Shiyani Ngcobo

Shiyani Ngcobo, our colleague and friend passed away on the 18th February 2011. Shiyani taught maskanda guitar in the School of Music and for UKUSA. He was admired by all of us for his mastery of maskanda.  Shiyani’s life was marked by contradictions: He reached great heights as a performer, playing across the United Kingdom, Europe and Cuba and in 2006 at Carnegie Hall, New York; but he was largely unrecognized by the music industry at home. He lived in humble circumstances and was devoted to his wife Gertrude, daughter Khanysile, and two grandchildren. Shiyani was a gentle and intense man with remarkable insights into human nature. His experience and emotions are captured in his music which will most certainly be treasured by many across the globe.

It was our great privilege to work with Shiyani.

Hamba Kahle our dear friend.