cultural programme
Cultural Programmes
at Michaelhouse
Cultural programmes thrive at Michaelhouse, shaping minds and stirring imaginations.
Creating opportunities to develop the imagination, experiment with ideas, and experience the joy of cultural expression is fundamental to the intellectual and creative development of a Michaelhouse boy.
Our rich life in the cultural sphere is actively nurtured through vibrant programmes in Music, Visual Arts, and Dramatic Arts — each supported by outstanding facilities and a deep appreciation for the role of culture in education. Engagement in these cultural programmes is not just encouraged; it’s embedded in the Michaelhouse experience.
music
The Music School
The Music School at Michaelhouse is a specialised facility that plays a central role in the development of the musical talents of boys and forms a key part of the school’s cultural programmes. It features nine individual practice rooms, teaching studios, a library, a recording and production studio, and a band room. Whether boys study music as a formal subject or pursue it as an extracurricular interest, there is a strong emphasis on developing a wide range of skills such as sight reading, improvisation, repertoire studies, and technical development.
In the Music School, boys can study instruments such as piano, violin, cello, electric or acoustic guitar, bass guitar, saxophone, voice, trumpet, trombone, and euphonium. These instruments, together with music theory, are taught by highly qualified teachers and musicians. Musicians also enter international examinations in both classical and contemporary music styles.
The Music School is also home to various marimba bands, the orchestra, jazz band, and choirs — all of which enrich the broader cultural life at Michaelhouse.
drama
The SchlesingerTheatre
The 600-seat theatre is home to a dynamic Dramatic Arts Department and provides a venue for numerous school productions, local and international performing artists, enrichment speakers, and musicians. The theatre offers first-class technical facilities and acoustics, making it suitable for various types of productions. Boys are offered the chance to develop their skills as lighting, sound, and backstage technicians, whilst also getting the chance to write, direct and produce their own productions. The also obtain valuable experience in set design, stage management and make-up.
The theatre foyer is a permanent art exhibition venue, featuring the best works that are produced by the school boys, as well as housing interschools and matric art exhibitions.
art
The Visual Arts
Department
The Visual Arts Department forms a vital part of the cultural programmes at Michaelhouse, comprising four studios that support the disciplines of ceramics, sculpture, photography, drawing, and painting technique.
The upper level houses the Sculpture Studio, where a strong sense of applied discipline is reflected in the intricate works on permanent display.
In the lower-level Ceramic Studio, the finished pieces speak to the deep enjoyment boys experience when working with clay. The light-filled, spacious Painting Studio is alive with artistic energy, showcasing a vibrant diversity of expression in the colourful artworks adorning the walls. An adjoining Lecture Room is dedicated to teaching and theory.
As a cornerstone of Michaelhouse’s cultural programmes, the Art School is committed to enhancing the creative potential of every boy by encouraging visual awareness, responsiveness, and articulate expression through the visual arts.