Central SA
Grey College to host 20th music festival─── ZENANDE MPAME 12:04 Wed, 13 Aug 2025
“The festival is more than a performance, but a celebration of 20 years of musical growth, collaboration, and the belief that dreams, when nurtured with passion and unity, can be achieved.”
“Festivalgoers can look forward to three exhilarating nights of world-class school ensembles, professional artists, and a seamless integration of music, drama, and dance,” said Grey College festival musical director Colet van Zyl. Grey College Secondary School is set to mark a major milestone as it hosts the 20th edition of its three-day music festival in the Sand du Plessis Theatre from Thursday, 21 August to Saturday, 23 August.
This year’s celebration, themed Grey’t Dreams, promises three unforgettable evenings of music, unity, and exceptional talent, featuring the school’s ensembles alongside some of South Africa’s top artists.
This year’s invited artists at the festival are: teacher Herman Naudé, Old Grey Atlegang Moses, along with Tasché Burger and Riaan Benadé.
This milestone is a remarkable achievement, as few schools manage to sustain such a large-scale festival for two decades, said Van Zyl. The success is thanks to the dedication of generations of learners, teachers, artists, arrangers, and a school with an enduring passion for music.
“Reaching the 20-year mark is a privilege for the school, especially considering the challenges posed by Covid-19 and its impact on theatre events,” said festival director and organiser Brenda Myburgh.
The Grey College music department is deeply grateful for its exceptional teachers, all of whom are professional musicians who devote countless hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, to helping students reach their highest potential.
“We hope audiences will not only enjoy the music but also take the opportunity to reconnect with their dreams, perhaps rediscovering aspirations they had set aside. We invite the public to come and dream for a while, to forget life’s pressures, and to immerse themselves in the artistry and passion unfolding on stage.”
The 20th edition promises to be both a tribute to the festival’s history and a forward-looking celebration of the talent, dedication, and dreams that make it possible. The only tickets left for the three-day event are for the opening night on Thursday; all the others are sold out, she said.
