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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Sharing vulnerability: A duoethnographic enquiry into the development of digital competencies at a South African university
Prof Janelize Morelli and Dr Kristien Andrianatos (NWU School of Languages) published an article in the journal Critical Studies in Teaching & Learning titled "Sharing vulnerability: A duoethnographic enquiry into the development of digital competencies at a South...
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Clients’ experiences of Music and Imagery (MI) sessions
Prof Liesl van der Merwe and PhD graduate, Dr Petra Jerling, recently published an article titled “Clients’ experiences of Music and Imagery (MI) sessions: An integrative literature review” in Approaches: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Music Therapy. Music has the...
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Is there a sonic climate of Zulu history?
Prof Chris van Rhyn (Director, MASARA Focus Area, NWU) and Prof Willemien Froneman (NWU alumna and Associate Professor in the Centre for the Study of the Afterlife of Violence and the Reparative Quest (AVReQ) at Stellenbosch University) co-authored an article that was...
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A duoethnography about musicking at an older adult care home during COVID-19
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people felt lonely, but older adults in care homes were especially isolated due to lockdown restrictions. Community musicians also struggled because they could no longer perform or interact with people through music. In this study,...
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Katya Bessarabov studies film scoring in Bulgaria
Alumna Katya Bessarabov commenced with a Masters degree programme in August at the Film Scoring Academy of Europe in Sofia, Bulgaria. She shares her experiences after the first few months of studying: What is your aim with this postgraduate study? My aim with this...
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