Two Hudson Park High School musicians recently took centre stage at the provincial OR Tambo Choral Music Festival, performing with the Buffalo City Orchestra on October 26 — a proud achievement for the school’s music department.
Grade 10 pupils, Uzukhanye Dlula, who plays flute and trombonist Athandile Kula, are part of the junior division of the orchestra and are among its youngest members.
Both pupils are being closely mentored and developed through the orchestra and are earning a stipend, valuable experience and exposure.
The festival is an annual event hosted by the Eastern Cape department of sport, recreation, arts and culture (DSRAC). The festival forms part of the department’s plans to develop choral music in the province and preserve the legacy of liberation struggle stalwart, Oliver Tambo.
This year, the festival attracted close to 10 choirs and 20 soloists. Every year, the performers are accompanied by a live orchestra which for its 2024 show included Uzukhanye and Athandile.
Uzukhanye, who aspires to be a professional musician, is ecstatic at having been given the opportunity to perform at the festival.
He started music in grade eight and since then has learnt to play the flute, clarinet and piano.
Uzukhanye credits HPHS music teacher Hayley White for recognising and nurturing his potential and BCM Orchestra conductor, Richard Lento for believing in the musician he aims to become.
He said: “This opportunity [performing at the festival] means a great deal to me because I got to work with excellent musicians which improved my musicality and my playing.
“In grade 8, I picked music as a subject and after my first few lessons, I fell in love with the flute, and this ignited an undying passion for music within me.”
His dream is to play for the SA National Orchestra and study music at Stellenbosch University.
“I am indebted to my parents who support me and have afforded me the opportunity to study music.”
Athandile’s hopes to learn music were stalled in primary school due to Covid-19 lockdown and by the time he reached grade 8, he knew there would be no question of doing music as an extra subject with the aim to learn as many instruments as possible.
Since then, he has learnt to play the trombone, violin and the trumpet.
On weekends he plays the drums at church and the keyboard and has recently found time to start learning the guitar.
His dream is also to become a professional musician after studying at either Stellenbosch University or the University of Cape Town and hopes to go on to produce musical scores for the silver screen.
He said: “I aim to learn as much as I can from other musicians and to inspire an interest in music amongst people who interact with me or hear me play. I hope to become a musician that pushes the boundaries of creativity.
“I owe my respect and love for music to the staff at the HPHS music department especially department head, Wesley Wong and Lento.
“My parents have also played a huge role in supporting me and equipping me with the resources to focus on my music.
HPHS jazz band conductor, Sibongile Ponashe said he was immensely proud to share the stage with Uzukhanye and Athandile in the BCM Orchestra during the festival as, watching them learn, grow and mature as musicians is incredibly rewarding.
He added: “It is a joy to see their hard work and dedication truly shine.”
Lento commended the two on their excellent performance during their debut festival as part of the BCM Orchestra and believes that their promise, diligence, and commitment will see them quickly rise within the orchestra.
They are currently being groomed over a period of three to six months to determine the path their development will take.
Lento said: “They performed well during their first festival because they had the confidence to experiment with spontaneity which the crowd loved which shows their self-belief.
“We must celebrate their commitment at such a young age which is rare amongst their peers.
“They are dedicated.
“Uzukhanye is playing the violin at a far advanced level for his age group and Athandile plays trumpet and violin, bass guitar and trombone.
“He is able to play whatever instrument the occasion calls for and that is phenomenal.”
