For Peter Enslin (Class of 1985), music was not only part of his school days, it helped shape his life.
During his time at Highbury, Peter regularly played the organ at morning Chapel services when Mr Ron Thackwell was leading the music department and there was no one else to play. “By default, I ended up playing the church organ, and those moments remain some of my happiest memories at Highbury,” he recalls. He was later awarded a special Headmaster’s Award by Mr Sholto MacMillan for his outstanding service as Chapel organist.
Peter recently returned to Highbury for a special visit, beginning in Chapel where he once again found himself at the piano, playing a few gentle chords after the service. a moment rich with memory. He was struck by how much the music department has grown since the 1980s. What was once a single music room beneath the stage of the Memorial Hall has developed into a vibrant Music Centre filled with opportunity.
In the drumming room, Mr Mark Whittaker has grown the djembe group from 25 boys in 2008 to 66 senior primary boys this year. Head of Music, Mrs Samantha Engelbrecht, teaches marimbas and leads 74 boys in the prestigious senior primary choir. At the Music Cottage, orchestra rehearsals and instrumental lessons take place under the guidance of the talented Mr Mandla Mwandla.
Today, Peter is a professional jazz pianist and music director, and the owner of Andiamo Recording Studio. He records prominent artists in KZN, produces radio and television recordings, and most recently assembled a 90-piece orchestra for a Major Banking Institution at the Durban ICC, performing to an audience of 3,000 people.
Highbury’s tradition of music continues to grow, offering boys the opportunity to discover gifts that may one day shape their future.