Rungan heads new school music centre
FORMER Durban High School pupil Chris Seabrooke, who has already established a theatre in his name at the Berea school, has now spent R4.5 million on a music centre for pupils – and local jazz songbird Natalie Rungan has been appointed as its director.
“Before you ask, no, this will not change what I have been doing in my professional capacity in any way. The job will occupy my time mostly in the day,” explains Rungan, who is excited about what she labels “a magnificent facility”.
Seabrooke will officially open the music centre at a ceremony at the school tomorrow.
Rungan, who has her Master’s degree in music and has released four albums, believes music education has been “sorely neglected” in South African public schools for many years.
“It is very encouraging, as an active performing artist, to see such amazing support for the future of music education in schools by this world-class music facility.
“I am motivated and challenged to take on the task of inspiring young minds and developing future musicians in our country,” she adds.
Seabrooke funded the building of the school’s Seabrooke’s Theatre in 2007, and it has become a popular venue for many local and touring productions.
Despite a busy business career in which he has been on the boards of 25 companies, he has always been engaged with the arts, and with music in particular.
He has co-produced more than 20 stage musicals, mostly with Joan Brickhill and Louis Burke, including Meet Me In St Louis on Broadway, for which he received a Tony Award nomination.
He was also the chairman of the State Theatre of South Africa, deputy chairman of the inaugural board of the National Arts Council, and deputy chairman of the founding board of Business & Arts South Africa.
The Chris Seabrooke Music Centre will boast soundproof practice rooms, an auditorium that houses a Yamaha baby grand piano, as well as a project-recording studio.
This facility will be a platform for young musicians to develop their talent, with endless possibilities.