16 October 2025
Sometimes we need to feel optimism, not perfection. We need to enjoy progress, evidence of the rewards of hard work. And we need to know that everyone is capable of achieving similar results, not just people with special gifts.
That’s why Clifton‘s Senior Primary Progress Concert, titled Concert Class, hosted in the Sutcliffe Theatre on Tuesday evening, was such a heart-warming occasion.
All boys in the Prep take shared class music lessons as part of the curriculum, but the performers on Tuesday were those who take private lessons with Clifton’s enviable array of music teachers, who cover any instrument a boy could wish to play.
The concert included performances on the piano, with voice, the guitar, drums, the trumpet, the violin, and the oboe. As impressive as the boys’ performances was the versatility of their teachers, who accompanied them on various instruments while they performed.
As a side note, isn’t it invariably music teachers who seem to carry the greatest joy and inspiration for the boys they teach?
There’s also a special joy in seeing a nervous young musician perform a piece and when he has finished look up expectantly, waiting for approval, and, when it arrives, to see his face light up with a smile.
Not all pieces went according to plan, with one or two minor hiccups, but that resulted only in greater support. It was feel-good stuff that is reflected in the use of “heart-warming” to describe it.
There was also the sight of a number of performers demonstrating their versatility on more than one instrument. Impressive stuff, indeed!
One of the highlights was Gabriel Pechoux, who recently scored 96 percent at an Eisteddfod, singing Champs Elysees and teaming up with his dad, Stéphane, on the drums, for the first time.
Then, at the end, Michael Howden, a grade 11 learner, performed a piece on the trumpet, showing off the rewards of his dedication to music. He shared his music journey at Clifton, explaining how he had taken on multiple musical challenges, and he encouraged others to grab the opportunities presented to them.
“I got involved in pretty much everything the school has offered, apart from drumline and strings,” he said, “because I like to toot my own horn,” he added to a round of laughter.
“Externally, I have also been involved in the KZN Youth Orchestra. I’ve achieved grade 7 trumpet and I am currently working on grade 8. I would certainly say that is the result of me getting bitten by the music bug.
Turning to the evening’s performers, he continued: “I want to recommend to you boys to get as involved as possible.
“Something that my friends find annoying is that after every morning rehearsal, you will hear me humming along to the last song we played or sang up until, at least, first break. This speaks to the power that music has.
“Even when life may be boring or routine, you will always have music to feed your soul.”
Later, he was joined by three other grade 11 boys, who will be seniors in the school in 2026, who handed out certificates in recognition of the Prep boys’ music achievements.
There was pride in the eyes of the young performers and joy in the smiles of their parents, and that is how it is meant to be.
Props to the boys and a special appreciation for their teachers – Calli Thomson, Maggie Deppe, Ross Meintjies, Stéphane Pechoux, Sarah Mattler, Nina Watson, Jane Magner, Ronel Perks, and Marco Mazzi – for sharing their love of music and inspiring their charges to pick up the musical baton and run with it.
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