Prof Conroy Cupido, Director of the School of Music:
The 2025 academic year has been both challenging and inspiring for the School of Music. Navigating the implementation of the new Student Information System (SIS) tested our resilience, yet I was deeply moved by the team spirit and generosity of our colleagues, who went above and beyond to accommodate the surge in student enrolments. One of the most exciting developments was the establishment of our first Uhadi class as an alternative instrument offering — a meaningful step in strengthening our school’s commitment to decolonisation. This initiative came to life beautifully when two outstanding students went on to win the African Music Prize at our annual Bursary Winners’ Concert. Another highlight was the growing diversity in our concert programming, and we remain grateful for the continued support from our Dean and Vice-Chancellor in expanding our jazz offerings. Looking ahead, we are excited to present an even richer and more varied 2026 concert series that celebrates excellence across Classical, Jazz, African, and Contemporary music.
We were also delighted to welcome two new staff members this year — Dr Jaco Meyer and Dr Michelle Pretorius. Although Dr Meyer is no stranger to the school, both colleagues have already made significant contributions and have seamlessly integrated into our community. Dr Pretorius, despite facing a baptism of fire in her first year — adapting to a new environment while balancing teaching, family life, and her role as Programme Manager for the Diploma in Music — has brought immense energy and dedication to her work.
On a personal note, it was an honour to present my inaugural lecture this year and to see our School and MASARA co-host the 3rd annual NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) South Africa Chapter Conference in Potchefstroom. I am immensely proud of our staff, whose excellence in teaching, research, and community engagement continues to inspire. Listening to colleagues share their achievements during our year-end appraisal meetings reaffirmed how privileged I am to lead such a dynamic and committed team. As we prepare for the forthcoming recurriculation of our programmes and anticipate the long-awaited building renovations, I am filled with gratitude and optimism for the continued growth and creative flourishing of our School.
Prof Chris van Rhyn, Director of MASARA Research Focus Area:
From a MASARA management perspective, 2025 was marked by the behind-the-scenes negotiations concerning the entity’s merger with ViNCO. From 2026, we will operate as a single entity: ViAMUS: Research and Creative Outputs in the Visual Arts and Music. This merger marks the beginning of a new era during which inter-, cross-, and transdisciplinary research, creative work, and postgraduate studies in the arts will thrive, while maintaining our strong disciplinary strengths in Music, History of Art, and Graphic Design. I look forward to working more closely with my deputy director, Dr Annemi Conradie-Chetty, in shaping the new entity into a sought-after hub where our members will flourish.
In addition to our colloquia on topical issues such as AI in research, sustainable development goals as provocations for transforming higher music education, and decentring anthropocentric inquiry in music research, MASARA presented an Atlas.ti workshop and research presentation opportunities for fourth-year BMus, BA Honours, master’s, and doctoral students. Furthermore, no fewer than six entity members gave presentations at the Faculty of Humanities Spring School. The MASARA South African New Music Concert was a highlight, featuring compositions by, among others, four MASARA members. Our guest composer-performer, Volley Nchabeleng, was received with great enthusiasm. Three doctoral and two master’s students graduated in June, and another doctoral student, our former colleague Christelle Engelbrecht, is expected to graduate before the end of the year. Ms Thandeka Mfinyongo participated in artistic residencies in Germany and the USA, and Dr Jaco Meyer is currently in Sweden for a residency.
It is challenging to single out particular publications, creative outputs and conference presentations among the numerous ones produced. However, I would like to thank the main editor of Music, Spirituality, and Well-being: Autoethnographies, Prof Liesl van der Merwe, for her hard work on this now-completed double-volume book project, which will be published by Peter Lang (Oxford) early next year. Mr Thomas Erlank and Prof Tinus Botha‘s visit to Central and South America early this year, where they gave performances and masterclasses, cannot go without mention. Our internationalisation efforts extended to the University of Oxford, where Prof Conroy Cupido and I paid a visit in June.
My heartfelt thanks go out to all MASARA’s academic members and support staff for their continued efforts in inspiring one another to reach greater heights and keep things running smoothly, no matter the circumstances. You are truly an inspiration.
