Making Music, Making Friends
It is 17:32 PM on June 10th, and the St Mary's DSG Matric Lawn is alive. The mid-winter twilight chill is no match for the vibrant beats and melodies emanating from the speakers, the appetising aromas from food vendors, and the festive gathering bathed in a radiant wash of stage lights. A merry mass of musicians, parents, supporters, aficionados – and, indeed, friends – have converged.
Having only joined St Mary's DSG a month prior, the buzz around "Friends In Concert" had been inescapable throughout May. Amidst the flurry of planning, I often pondered the appellation. Why "friends" when the participants hail from different schools? As I roamed our beautiful school grounds, teeming with excited chatter, the answer became brilliantly clear: music profoundly fosters strong bonds and friendships. Shared musical experiences, whether performing together or simply enjoying a concert, create deep emotional connections and a powerful sense of belonging. Junior and senior girls and boys, young ladies and gentlemen, were pouring out their souls on their instruments, sending sonorities of pure gold into the evening sky. "That ATE!" resounded from the young spectators on the lawn, expressing ultimate approval for their newly found friends on stage. This was just the outside concert, kicking off what would become the spectacular Friends In Concert 2025.
Inside the Diocesan Hall, bathed in dazzling colours from the lighting design by Matt Norel and his team, the audience was utterly enthralled from the very first notes performed by our St Mary’s DSG soloists and drumline girls. The concert programme unfolded like a treasure trove, filled with exquisite dainties of charismatic choir singing, breathtaking wind ensemble performances, orchestral brilliance, and jazz band bliss. Mesmerising musical mastery, from vocalists and instrumentalists alike, all carefully curated by the dedicated conductors and teachers from WHPS, St Alban's College, and St Mary's DSG. This auditory feast was further enhanced by the skilled setup and sound engineering from Armando at Acoustic Brilliance – a true triumph, substantiating that friends who make music together, truly win together.
A Showcase of Talent and Camaraderie:
The Thorišo Singers, Intersen Phase Ensemble, Marimba Bands, and soloists from the St Mary's Junior School showcased the remarkable depth of their talent, providing a diverse tapestry of sonic textures. They truly upheld their ability to captivate and inspire as young musicians.
The choir, wind ensemble, orchestra, rock band, and percussion band from WHPS displayed an unprecedented passion and artistry on stage. Their blend of meticulous musical notes and clever choreography provided an immersive experience that will be etched into our memories.
St Alban's College brought a stellar crew of contemporary musicians, choir singers, barbershop vocalists, and jazz buffs. They delivered splendid garlands of expressive hymns, ballads, and riffs, proving their versatility and flair.
From the Senior School, St Mary's rallied her most terrific troupe of singers, instrumentalists, marimba players, and soloists. The rock band raised the roof of the matric lounge with superb contemporary blends, proving that our school spirit extends to electric guitars! The Chapel Choir, SMS Choir and Salon Singers serenaded friends, parents, teachers, and guests into sweet delight, while Afrika Phenduka lifted our spirits with rapturous marimba harmonies. Our Senior Orchestra amazed us all with impeccable phrases and heavenly tones, a testament to their dedication.
The Grand Finale and Lasting Impact:
There could not have been a better finale than "Meadowlands," performed as a mass item by all the participants. With this song, which marks a significant event in our nation’s history, we not only forged new friendships but also powerfully reinforced the transformative essence of music making.
The event reached far beyond the concert hall, thanks to all the musicians, teachers, accompanists, conductors, and our dedicated directors – Mrs Janenne van der Merwe and Mrs Janine Purchase. They work countless hours to perfect the melodies, rhythms, and harmonies, all whilst seamlessly managing logistics, securing budgets, and supporting each other. Their commitment is truly next level.
The music performances excelled, astounded, inspired, and, yes, "ate." Four hundred performers flawlessly executed musical compositions spanning 400 years. This extraordinary night, during which students from four prestigious schools in the district gathered to become comrades in creativity, pals in performing, mates in music making, acquaintances in artistry, and, ultimately, friends in concert, was undoubtedly a highlight on our school calendar.
