The hallways and classrooms of Windy Heights Primary School in Malagazi near Amanzimtoti were alive with the sounds of music last week, as the school hosted the award-winning and widely regarded KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Philharmonic Orchestra for three concerts in one day, as part of their Women’s Month celebration.
Monday, 16 August, was a day filled with music, poetry and words of motivation for the learners, staff and honoured guests who attended the annual event.
Performing songs such as the theme to the hit movies Pirates of the Caribbean and Lord of the Rings, guests got the chance to see how each instrument
played in perfect unison with each other.
Kicking up the beat, the orchestra performed Pharrel William’s ‘Happy’ and ended with Bruno Mars’s ‘Uptown Funk’ while school choir performed a beautiful rendition of Louis Armstrong’s What a Wonderful World. School conductor, Linda Makhathini said it was a glorious occasion and a wonderful way of celebrating women of all colours and creed, especially at a school headed by a strong female leadership in principal Thembekile Makhanya and her deputy Patience Magwaza.
“This event was in celebration of Women’s Month through music. Learners got the chance to listen to soundtracks from their favorite movies performed by the Orchestra. Learners were able to actually see where the different sounds come from by watching the orchestra playing the different instruments.”
Education Coordinator for the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra, Sizekile Shoba said, “I always enjoy coming out to our schools and educating them on the benefits of music. I love how integrated this school is with the arts and culture. They have very enthusiastic educators and learners who want to be a part of something as wonderful as this. Its basically two energies creating a beautiful synergy.”
Ukhozi FM’s, Dr Lucky Nkosi said, “I am so pleased with this event. Learners are given an opportunity to visualize what each instrument is. The event was a success and I am glad to have been a part of it. Windy Heights is a great school with a great music department that aims at promoting not just classical music but music as a whole.”
