Wednesday 4 May saw the meeting of DHS staff and boys on stage to celebrate their mutual love for music. Although the evening was to be beset by all manner of technical difficulties, the concert’s achievements outshone its evils.
Opening the evening were the school’s Mambazo Singers, who filed onto the school stage with Mr Mathie and Mr Gcilishana as part of the vocal throng. Mr Mathie began a song in an accomplished voice that few expected, but everyone welcomed. It was lovely to see teachers and boys singing together.
Joshua Arnold, ably accompanied by Dr David Smith, started the programme with his slick interpretation of the Gary Jules version of Tears for Fears’ Mad World. Such is the derivative musical world in which we live. Then the Accabrothers enchanted with their brand of rich vocal tapestries woven from a few unaccompanied voices.
It was then that TT, Thabiso Tshabalala, accompanied expertly by his mum, got on stage to sing Elton John’s Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me. The accompaniment was a wonder to behold, and TT, true to form, sang beautifully.
The talented Mr Liddell then got up to treat his listeners to a mesmerizing interpretation of U2’s One, which was very well-received. His vocal range continued to stun the crowd until it seemed as though it could climb no more, after which he morphed into a comfortable falsetto. One wonders how this talent is used in daily teaching?
Next up came the lovely Ms Sibisi with one song in her quiver; but it was all that was needed. The song was Hero by Mariah Carey, and Ms Sibisi sang it like it was written for her. She was accompanied by her son, Sam, on keyboard and ace drummer, Mr Madondo of Grade 12, and went on to soar amidst the shouts of encouragement from the audience, so that her voice reached its destination to cheers from the delighted crowd.
It was Mr Skevington who touched us all with his stirring rendition of Billy Joel’s She’s Only a Woman.
The final number was performed by staff and boys alike. It was Pink Floyd’s Another Brick in the Wall (part 2), featuring the infamous line “we don’t need no ed-you-cay-shin.” Needless to say it went down a bomb.
I would like to thank Ms Drew for her poster, programme, organization, support and ideas; thanks to Mr Lewis for his stage and sound expertise; thanks to Ms Nagiah and her Technical team for their enduring patience amid growing frustration with faulty cables, mics and sound desks; and lastly, thank you to all the performers, staff and boys, for making it an evening to remember.
John Stengel
Head of Music
