Date: Thursday, 06 March 2025

Time: 12:40–13:20

Venue: Musaion Theatre

Free entry, everyone welcome

This week, we are proud present the Hoërskool Waterkloof. 

Hoërskool Waterkloof Orchestra

The Klofie Orchestra is 21 years old this year, consists of 54 members, and is under the direction of Eddie Clayton. The variety of instruments heard in the orchestra reflects the energetic and versatile character of the school's music department, and many orchestra members start playing an orchestral instrument in Grade 8.

The orchestra has been national winners of various competitions, including several SASBA competitions and the SIMPHONIA National Orchestra Competition, as well as category winners at multiple eisteddfods. Last year, they were named the best youth orchestra at the Pretoria Eisteddfod.

Many orchestra members honed their orchestral skills as beginners in this orchestra, and it provides an opportunity for instrumentalists to be exposed to a wide orchestral repertoire. Six current members are part of Simfonia Juventi, and two Klofies are also part of the University of Pretoria Symphony Orchestra this year.

Waterkloof Jazz Ensemble, AKA The 65’ers

The Waterkloof Jazz Ensemble, also known as The 65’ers, is an elite school ensemble that started in 2017 with Jo Ferreira as musical director. Since 2024 this ensemble was systematically taken over by Alexander F Koekemoer, who continues the legacy left by Jo Ferreira.

Since 2021 they were category winners in various eisteddfods, inter alia the Pretoria Eisteddfod and the Afrikaanse Kunsvereniging.  They reached new heights in 2022 when they were placed 3^rd overall in the SASMT (South African Society for Music Teachers) National Ensemble Competition. They were also category winners in the 2024 SIMPHONIA ensemble category.

The Waterkloof Jazz ensemble is unique in the sense that they push the boundaries of what school learners are capable of. Their repertoire includes jazz standard as well as original works written for them by Alexander Koekemoer, which suit the ability and skills of each individual member.

The ensemble consists of Heinrich Sutton (piano), Aiden Thompson (double bass), Blessed Cletus-Okolo (drums), Jayden Sauer (alto saxophone), Tiaan Barnard (tenor saxophone) and Wilando Ferreira (trombone).