HAVING recently returned from a trip to Europe, the youngest member of the Mandela Metro School of Arts is still inspired by the musical training he received overseas.
Marcus de Beer, 12, a Grade 7 learner at Astra Primary School, travelled with his fellow band members to Norway on the trip of a lifetime. They have received musical training at the Mandela Metro School of Arts partner university, the University of Tromsø.
Marcus is a talented flute player who has been playing with the Mandela Metro School of Arts since the age of eight.
Marcus, who is also a member of United Through Sport’s Junior School of Excellence, is one of only two learners who form part of the band of mostly adult musicians and is the only performer who is still in primary school.
However, there was no doubt that Marcus would go along when the Mandela Metro School of Arts members were invited by the Norwegian Band Federation to visit Norway earlier this month.
He practises diligently with the rest of the band members on a weekly basis. Marcus loves nothing better than playing ‘difficult songs’ with the band, as well as South African songs like Shosholoza and Afrikaans songs.
The band performs at various churches and community gatherings at least once a week, with a big concert planned for June.
Some of the outings Marcus and the Mandela Metro School of Arts members went on in Norway included exploring the snowy mountains, visiting the local museum and participating in an art programme at a local school.
“It was the first time that I went overseas, and also my first time flying. The trip to Norway took 15 hours. I really enjoyed the experience. It was very educational and also very, very cold,” Marcus said.
Astra Primary School’s principal, Helma Boggenpoel, said she was very proud of Marcus’ achievements.
Boggenpoel added, “We are in partnership with the Mandela Metro School of Arts, which is a similar partnership to the one we have with United Through Sport.
“We provide a space for the band to practise on a weekly basis. We are proud to say that our learners do not only perform on the sports field, but also in arts and culture.”
While Marcus enjoys playing hockey and is a strong academic performer at the school; his first love is music and he hopes to either be a musician or a software engineer when he finishes school.
