The Music Department formed the Jazz Band in 2016 – under the direction of Simon Stickells. Filled with a keen group of music students, this group allows them an outlet for their musical talents and offers the opportunity to develop their ensemble and performance skills. From an initial group six boys who started the band in 2016, it has now grown to almost 30 boys. The ever-growing interest in this group makes it a popular social and recreational activity for boys to enjoy at College.
Our Music Department has a strong tradition of choral music. Under the direction of Joni Stickells, the College Choir perform regularly across the Pietermaritzburg, Midlands, and Durban area. The College Choir also adds their voices to choral competitions – growing their enjoyment of song alongside students from other schools. Over the years, College has participated in World Choir Games and is a regular competitor in the ATKV Applous Competition. All interested students are encouraged to sing in the College Choir to develop their voices and musical understanding.
Where boys have passion and talent for an instrument, the gold standard is – of course – for them to buy their own instruments. This is encouraged to support the ability to play independently on an ongoing basis – both at school and beyond. Understanding the scope of this investment, College has a wide array of instruments for hire from the school list above. This gives boys a chance to try their hand at their preferred instruments and provides an opportunity for every boy to explore his musical interests. These instruments are available for a small hire fee per year.
Performance is an important component in the life of a musician. Music at Maritzburg College intersects with Performing Arts at the school. Through the school’s exciting production calendar, musical boys are invited to participate in musical production. Opportunities exist for boys to get involved in song and musical performance on stage, as well as work with professional tools for sound and lighting. This engages boys across the full spectrum of music- and sound-based interests and gives them a grounding for future pursuits in this area.
The Pearson Music Centre was built in 2017 was formally opened by Keith Olivier on 15 September that year. The Music Centre was officially named after Clive Pearson, a previous headmaster, on 7 September 2018. The Music Centre boasts a band room with adjoining practice rooms, a theory class, a choir room, and a drum/guitar room. The Music Centre is also fully equipped with sound systems and amplifier equipment. We host small chamber music concerts in the band room and our bigger band and choir concerts in the Olivier Cultural Centre.
