Knowing Me, Knowing You — Prof Mignon van Vreden
Prof Mignon van Vreden is not only a beloved lecturer in Music Education in the diploma and degree programmes, but she has also been the programme manager for the BMus programme for more than five years now. This position has posed many challenges during the years,...
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Knowing Me, Knowing You — Prof Conroy Cupido
In the first 1½ years of his term as School Director, Prof Conroy Cupido already had to deal with major challenges: the capital renewal project for renovations at the Conservatory, which reduces the available space for teaching, rehearsals, and concerts; the...
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Relationality in postgraduate supervision
Prof Mignon van Vreden attended the 9th Biennial Postgraduate Supervision Conference during the last week of March in Stellenbosch which focused on the interaction and relations between the different stakeholders as they generate knowledge together. On this theme, she...
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The interplay between flow states in music listening experiences and self-actualisation: an autoethnography of a queer music educator
This study by Prof Conroy Cupido, published in SAMUS 43/44, delves into the interplay between flow states, positive emotions, and peak experiences in music listening, and sheds light on the novel application of autoethnography as method and its capacity to generate...
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Knowing Me, Knowing You — Dr Jaco Meyer
The second new staff member to join the ranks at the School of Music this year is Dr Jaco Meyer, Senior Lecturer in Composition and Musicology. It is a bit of a homecoming for Dr Meyer as he is also an alumnus of NWU — he completed all his music degrees up to doctoral...
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Highly successful South American concert tour for duo
Mr Thomas Erlank (tenor) [above, left] and Prof Tinus Botha (pianist) [right] recently returned from an inspiring concert tour of Central and South America. Their trip began at the University of Costa Rica in San José, where they participated in the Encuentro de...
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Paul’s piano tribute to his wife and a gift to young musicians
This story by Belinda Bantham first appeared in the life@NWU staff newsletter of North-West University, December 2024, and is reprinted in the March 2025 issue of @theConserve newsletter and on this blog by kind permission of the author. Prof Paul Smit [above,...
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Knowing Me, Knowing You — Dr Michelle Pretorius
Dr Michelle Pretorius joined the School of Music in January after being appointed as Senior Lecturer for CCM singing. Previously, she was a senior lecturer and programme leader in musical theatre at the University of Chester, and she and her family have now returned...
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Unexpectedly large first-year class
The Conservatory is abuzz with the excitement of more than 60 first-year diploma and degree students eagerly finding their way to classes, lessons, and rehearsals — the largest ever class of first-year students to start their academic year at the School of Music. The...
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The changing nature of celebrity in musical theatre: the development of star casting
Celebrity casting in musical theatre is and always will be a hot topic among fans of the genre. However, this is not a new phenomenon. Celebrities and stars have been cast in music theatre shows since the beginning of the artform. So, what has changed that has caused...
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A theory of joyful experiences in Dalcroze Eurhythmics
"My life's work" — This is how Prof Liesl van der Merwe describes her latest research article, published less than two weeks ago in the International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being. This "theory of joyful experiences in Dalcroze Eurhythmics"...
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A pianist’s technique rehabilitation after post-traumatic stress: an autoethnographic study
Prof Liesl van der Merwe and Master's graduate Ms Carla Lewis published this article in Qualitative Health Research in January 2024. This study is a personal account of a professional pianist who experienced post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), emphasising the...
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