KNYSNA NEWS - An inaugural Oakhill College Music Tour took place to Cape Town this past month, with the Oakhill music students being invited to perform in collaboration with the Herschel Girls School Music Department.
The tour party, composed of 52 Oakhill music students and their teachers, included the Oakhill College Choir, College Band, Blues Band and Strings Ensemble. Constituting nearly a third of the whole high school, these enthusiastic and inspiring Oakhill musicians made their mark and truly amazed their audiences, while also having the most wonderful time.
The choir students had the privilege of performing with both the Herschel Girls School and Springfield Convent School orchestra on the first evening, on Wednesday, 17 July.
The following evening, guests were treated to a combined concert with Herschel Girls School, with audiences thoroughly impressed by the exceptional performances from Oakhill spanning the two bands, string ensembles, to the choir and individual singing performance.
Audiences raved about the performances, saying "they were incredibly impressed by the high level of talent and dedication displayed by the Oakhill students. Each performance showcased not only technical skill but also a deep passion for music, and joy, leaving the audience in awe".
The students' hard work, enthusiasm, and exceptional performances have undoubtedly left a lasting impression on all who had the pleasure of attending their concerts.
Recording
Another highlight of the tour was the privilege to record some of the Oakhill performances at Cape Audio Studios where the music students spent the Friday experiencing this commercial aspect of music.
These recordings will be released as a memento of this auspicious opportunity. Other than the camaraderie, and enjoying Cape Town, a social highlight of the tour was experiencing live theater and dinner at Stardust as the students wrapped up a wonderful music weekend.
The thirteen of Oakhill's Matric students attending the tour found it a nostalgic experience and closure, as many had fostered a love of music since Oakhill choirs and bands in their early Oakhill Prep years. Says Oakhill Music Director, Laticha van Wageningen: "Thank you for the music! We are all deeply grateful to music, the memories made and friendships developed, as music unites and crosses bridges that would otherwise be far more challenging to accomplish."
Award winner Jana van Wageningen
After recently winning the national Young Star Talent Search of the Lexus Pop Classics Young Artists competition, Oakhill Matric student Jana van Wageningen has been invited to perform in Pretoria on Saturday 3 August at a live show at the Sun Bet Arena.
It really is "a dream come true'' shares Jana!
Young Star award winner Jana van Wageningen.
Not only will Jana have the significant opportunity to perform an individual item during the show, she will share the stage with some of South Africa's most amazing artists - Biko's Manna, Tarryn Lamb, Ruhan du Toit, Corlea Botha, Dodo, Dantanio, Samantha Leonard, Refentse, the much-loved Mzanzi Youth Choir and many more.
Debut single for Hannah Morris
Another talented singer and songwriter, Hannah Morris, a Grade 11 student at Oakhill, released her debut single Take My Hand last month.
Upon releasing her single, Hannah was eloquently interviewed and her song featured on Algoa FM, with host KayCee Roussow noting that "at 16 years of age, Plettenberg-born and raised Hannah Morris is undoubtedly a rising star - her latest single, Take My Hand, is in a class of its own".
Hannah Morris has launched her debut single, 'Take My Hand'.
Locals can experience a highlight of these Oakhill College music items, including Jana and Hannah performing next weekend, Saturday 10 August at 11h00 at an Oakhill Arts Showcase at Nice Neighbour in Plettenberg Bay. The showcase presents a special and leisurely opportunity to enjoy a meal or the shopping ambiance of Old Nick Village while immersed in the arts.
Oakhill's Arts Showcase will not only feature music, there will be a selection of students' artwork as well as a cameo from the drama students.
Fabulous Prep art at Knysna Fine Art
In Knysna, the Oakhill Prep students' art is also not to be missed at their Intermediate Phase Art Exhibition at the Knysna Fine Art gallery, Thesen House at their open exhibition this weekend - Friday 2 August, Saturday 3 August and Monday, 5 August from 09h00-16h00.
It is an honour to have the young artists exhibiting at Knysna Fine Art where a piece of art from each Grade 4 to 7 student will be on display and guests can view their expressive interpretation of the various themes they have explored this year.
With a strong tradition of cultivating talented artists, spanning music, art and drama and a heritage of supporting the arts over the years at Oakhill, these will be wonderful treats for friends, art lovers and alike to experience.
Up next with Oakhill arts
Knysna locals can look forward to more music at Oakhill's Kaleidoscope concert where more of these items will be performed in September.
As a highlight of the annual arts calendar, Oakhill's Matric Art Exhibition in October is a further opportunity not to be missed as art enthusiasts view the culmination of these talented and aspiring students' exhibition of their Grade 12 IEB examination work displayed for the public to appreciate!
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