4 September 2025
Recently, when I saw that Clifton Prep would be performing at Amber Valley, in the KZN Midlands, I saw it as an opportunity to take a drive upcountry to visit family and to see the fruits of the work that the Clifton Music Department is doing. I had learnt a lot about it. Now I wanted to see it in action. I was glad I made the effort.
With Shelley McLean Downham serving as the MC, and as a performer, Clifton presented a wonderful programme, featuring vocal and solo instrumental performances. They also served delicious chocolate brownies to the appreciative audience, who were delighted by the entertainment and the tasty treats.
I was reminded of my youth, as a learner at Clifton, Nottingham Road, where I had the privilege of being inspired by a Glenwood High old boy, John Tungay, the founder of the Drakensberg Boys’ Choir School. And I saw in the boys of Clifton Prep that same excitement and joy that inspirational music teachers bring.
In my opinion, being taught a love for and an appreciation for music and performing at a young age is a privilege and priceless.
The Clifton boys’ performances were not just good for boys in primary school. They were good. Full stop. They were confident, competent, sometimes astounding, and enthusiastic.
The value that the boys derived from the three-day tour of the Midlands, quite obviously, extended beyond singing and the playing of instruments. I noticed it in the speeches delivered both at the start and at the conclusion of the performances where the boys spoke with such confidence and clarity that it impressed me, who spent almost 20 years in radio. I was never that good.
At Amber Valley, there were lessons to be learnt about interacting with an older audience. At Cordwalles, on the first day of the tour, the lessons involved performing for an audience of the boys’ peers with minimal preparation time. Then, it was off to Clifton Notties, where different soloists performed, while similar ensemble pieces were presented. And it was time to be children, too.
As Shelley Downham put it: “It was a beautiful time spent together. We were further spoiled with a delicious lunch and some much needed ‘free range’ time on their incredible obstacle course.”
After the excitement of the first day, the big Clifton bus headed back down the Midlands Meander to Hebron Haven, where the group unpacked, munched on freshly baked muffins, and relaxed ahead of day two of the adventure.
It began in Hilton, at the lovely campus of Cowan House, where the Clifton contingent was warmly welcomed by an audience of Grade 1 – 7 learners. After that, it was off to Amber Valley, where the group had time to run around on the beautiful grounds and enjoy packed lunches before setting up for the show.
With no marimbas available to play, more solo items were added to the programme. The residents, captivated, lapped it up.
To complete a memorable experience, the final day of the tour included performing Marimba pieces in the big tent at the prestigious Hilton Arts Festival, which was both exciting and daunting as the marimbas were different to the ones the boys were used to playing. The boys shone, nonetheless, and after that, there was time to take in two shows, a little shopping time, and a bus trip back to Durban for a happy, tired, and fulfilled group of musicians.
Such experiences don’t simply happen. Outstanding performances don’t simply happen, either. Over time, while observing Clifton’s musicians in action, I’ve seen familiar faces delighting in leading the way. The school is blessed to have such quality.
The teachers include Mr Charl Van Der Merwe (Orchestra Conductor, who is a member of the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra and a sought-after conductor and educator); Mrs Nina Watson (Orchestra and Accompanist, and a co-principal cellist in the upcoming KZNPO Concert Series Concerts); Mrs Charmaine Holloway (Marimba Coach and performance specialist) and Mrs Shelley Downham (Clifton Director of Music – Choir).
The touring group was also accompanied by the Clifton Prep Director of Arts, Mrs Wendy Meyer, and Mrs Jess Basson, and Mrs Tammy Munks, who helped the music staff do what they do best, make magic through music.
Shelley Downham commented: “We are so proud of our young, talented musicians and singers and invite the greater Durban audiences to join us for our upcoming events.
“On Wednesday, 10 September, ‘Worthy of Note‘, a combined concert with DGC, DPHS, Gordan Road Girls’ School and, of course, Clifton. And on Wednesday, 17, and Thursday, 18 September: ‘A Night at The Theatre‘, which starts at 18:00.”
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