A day in the life at the University of Pretoria. 03 April 1962

On this "Day in the life of the University of Pretoria" UP’s newly built amphitheatre was opened with a gala function.

This structure was built as a designated complex to offer facilities for the Department of Music, which was founded in 1958. It comprises of office wings, an auditorium, and an open-air amphitheatre. Brain Sandrock, a UP alumni and architect, designed the facility, which was built on part of the old athletics field. The remains of the spectator terraces surrounding the track may still be seen to the east of the Musaion. The office wing of the complex was finished in 1960, followed by the auditorium and amphitheatre the next year. The facility was officially opened with a series of concerts in 1961, followed by a gala event in April 1962 with South African opera singer Mimi Coertse and the South African Broadcasting Corporation Symphony Concert.

The complex incorporates aspects of the Little Brazilian or Modern Brazilian styles and has outstanding acoustics. In 1976, the University constructed a mechanical-action pipe organ in the Musaion, which consists of 2,659 organ pipes, the tallest of which stands at 4.9 metres. The Musaion seats just over 500 people, while the amphitheatre seats roughly 3,000. During the academic year, the Musaion hosts free weekly lunchtime concerts. The Musaion and Amphitheatre complex, which includes the Aula, is an important cultural location on the University campus.

The University of Pretoria Archives (UPA) preserves the history of the University of Pretoria. The UPA's numerous holdings include an extensive photo collection, as well as news clippings and histories detailing the growth and impact of the University.  Please contact us at [email protected] to share your Tukkies experiences, or visit the UPA reading room to view our collection