Jeppe girls earn 57 gold awards at Eisteddfod
The entries were adjudicated by renowned South African cellist, pianist, conductor and teacher Carel Henn.
Musical excellence took centre stage at a special assembly at Jeppe High School for Girls on Tuesday, as the school celebrated learners who excelled at the recent Eisteddfod.
The assembly provided an opportunity for the school community to applaud the girls for their dedication, hard work and commitment to the arts.
The learners’ impressive performance saw them win 57 gold and 14 silver awards, highlighting the depth of musical talent within the school.
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The school submitted 51 string instrument entries, including violin, viola and cello performances, which were adjudicated by South African cellist, pianist, conductor and teacher Carel Henn.
Henn, who began his musical studies in Bloemfontein at a young age, has enjoyed an extensive career as a soloist, chamber musician and orchestral cellist.
He also holds a Guinness World Record for the longest cello-playing marathon after performing continuously for 26 hours. Beyond performing, Henn is a dedicated cello teacher and has increasingly pursued conducting while continuing to perform and teach in Johannesburg.
For the Jeppe girls, the opportunity to perform before an experienced adjudicator offered more than just the chance to compete. Eisteddfods encourage young people to develop confidence, creativity and discipline while receiving constructive feedback from professionals.
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The girls also demonstrated remarkable versatility, with some learners competing in two different instruments. Headmistress Sybil Bhagwan praised the learners for embracing the challenge and pushing themselves.
“Nothing is too difficult for the brave!” was the message accompanying the celebration of their achievements. The assembly included the presentation of certificates to some of the girls to recognise their individual accomplishments.
“This achievement serves as a reminder that success is not only measured by awards, but also by the courage to participate, the discipline to practise and the confidence to stand before an audience and showcase one’s talent,” said Bhagwan.
