Easter Concert 2014 at Tea in the Trees

Last weekend, KMA high school students gave a valiant performance on recorder, violin, flute, oboe, saxophone, djembe, and marimba for Tea in the Trees in Cinsta.  Our performance took place on Easter Sunday 20 April 2014 in Cintsa West, East London. 

Following the previous day’s concert run-through at St. Charles Sojola High School, fourteen Keiskamma Music Academy students traveled from Hamburg to Cintsa, accompanied by Programme Manager Anthony Drake, Assistant Programme Manager Laura Osterlund, and volunteer teachers Martin Kratzing and Claudia Linfelt.  Music Academy played a full program before an appreciative crowd of visitors and holiday makers.

Our highly anticipated return to Tea in the Trees follows a successful Carols by Candlelight Christmas performance on Monday 23 December 2013.  Music Academy revisited classical and traditional favourites, including a musical hit by Miriam Makeba arranged by Anthony Drake and Xhosa songs arranged by Daniel Hutchinson. 

Among the young musicians who participated were KMA high school students Sibongiseni Gxamza (Gr. 10), Nokuthula Makhubalo (Gr. 11), Lwandile Mapuma (Gr. 9), Wonke Mapuma (Gr. 9), Sambesiwe Mavela (Gr. 8), Simamkele Maxontana (Gr. 12), Siphelo Mvaphantsi (Gr. 11), Thabo Ngoxo (Gr. 12), Thabiso Ngoxo (Gr. 12), Aviwe Nkani (Gr. 11), Olwethu Nkani (Gr. 11), Zimkitha Nompunga (Gr. 11),  Qhama Nongce (Gr. 9), and Mkhululi Peter (Gr. 11). 

Included in the day’s program were performances by large and small recorder ensembles accompanied by marimba and djembe, along with violin duos, and saxophone trios.  Our concert also featured performances by new orchestral instrument players.  Sambesiwe Mavela, who made his flute debut for Tea in the Trees last December, performed an accompanied solo after less than five months of playing.  Thabo Ngoxo, KMA’s first oboe student, performed a duet with Anthony Drake on flute after less than four.

We would like to thank all in attendance at Keiskamma Music Academy concert for Tea in the Trees.  Special thanks as well to Tea in the Trees staff, as well as Keiskamma Trust driver Luzuko. 

For photographs of our recent event, and to learn more about Keiskamma Music Academy, please visit our Facebookpage and webpage.

Well done, all! We look forward to future performances and return visits to Cintsa.

Artist profile: Sinovuyo Makhubalo

Sinovuyo Makhubalo born and grew up in Hamburg. She Studied in Hamburg L/H Primary School and Matomela Senior Secondary School. Sino passed matric in 2009 and went on to W.S.U in 2011 but she didn't complete her diploma in tourism.


Sino writes: 
“Growing up as a child I have been attending drawing worshops at the art project that were held from time to time. We used to draw and I remember once we did black & white lino cut prints.
I then stopped attending the workshops because I was not always around, but my mother and Carol would ask me to draw cows on fabrics for cushion covers during my high school holidays.
In 2011 during university June holidays I attended a botanical workshop with Wendy Hitchcock. We did botanical drawings with her. Carol was then impressed by my drawing skills. Then in 2013 I didn’t go back to university. I was at home doing nothing. Carol then asked me to join the project.

During that time there was a "botanical fine art exhibition" that was coming in Cape Town. She then asked me to be part of it. I had to make 4 botanical pieces, which were solar prints. That was my first time doing those. My work was accepted to be exhibited and all my pieces were sold. This was very exciting and to me it is quite an achievement because not every one get this kind of opportunity. This experience motivated me to get more involved with arts and to push myself and work harder to achieve more in future, to also be patient because in this field you have to be patient. Success doesn’t come easily and quickly. My passion for art is what pushes and motivates me to do more most of the time.”