What began as a memorable musical evening in England has blossomed into one of KuGompo City’s most cherished community events.
Music in the Park, set to take place on Sunday April 19 at 2pm at Berea Gardens in the Valley, continues a tradition that dates back more than two decades, all inspired by a magical experience abroad.
Organiser Jane Potgieter recalls attending a performance by the London Philharmonic Orchestra at Leeds Castle in 2001, while spending a month in England teaching.
Surrounded by families with picnic baskets and live music under the open sky, the experience left a lasting impression.
“I couldn’t leave my husband, Brian, longer than a month,” said Potgieter.
When she returned home to East London, where her parents lived in the Valley, she partnered with the Arcadia Rotary Club to launch the first Music in the Park in 2003.
Since then, the event has grown into a firm community favourite, missing only the Covid-19 lockdown year.
This year’s line-up features St Joseph’s Choir, the Clarendon Chamber Choir, Lilyfontein Marimba Band, Selborne Military Band and the Caledonian Pipe Band, offering a rich variety of musical styles.
A highlight for 2026 is the debut of St Joseph’s Choir, a young but fast-growing ensemble already making its mark.
Headmaster Alan Webster said the opportunity to perform on such a platform was significant for the school.
“St Joseph’s is a new and rapidly-growing school and it is wonderful to be sharing this public platform with other schools,” Webster said.
He said music played a vital role in education beyond the classroom.
“‘Extramurals’ are not ‘extra’, they are a fundamental part of a holistic education.
“Opportunities like this teach discipline, teamwork, courage and confidence and it’s great fun.”
The choir, founded last year by conductor Phumeza Peteni, has already built a strong identity despite its small size.
“The choir is still in its infancy stages with only 25 voices, but our sound is nevertheless vibrant, uplifting and inspiring,” said Peteni.
“We are rooted in a Christian identity and aim to spread the word of God through song.”
Audiences can expect a meaningful and diverse performance – “a mix of traditional African and Christian songs”.
Through consistent rehearsals and performance opportunities, the group has grown in confidence. Peteni said the choir had already performed at school events such as Founders Day, as well as in the wider community, including a collaboration with the German Kammerchor at the Guild Theatre and a performance at Kennersley Park retirement centre.
“Opportunities like these expose the choir to large audiences, making them more comfortable and confident when performing publicly,” she said.
For Peteni, the upcoming event is about service and connection.
“It’s important that learners have opportunities to give back to their community, and it is even better if they can do so while sharing their God-given talents with people.”
Looking ahead, she hoped to see the choir continue to grow.
“I hope the choir continues to add members and perform at events of various kinds.”
Beyond showcasing young talent, Music in the Park remains rooted in community upliftment.
Funds raised are shared among participating schools, while a portion supports needy pensioners living at Berea Gardens.
Hosted by the Rotary Club of Arcadia and the Rotary Club of East London, the event is designed to be inclusive, with free entry for children and pensioners.
Visitors are encouraged to bring picnic baskets, rugs or folding chairs and enjoy an afternoon of music in the scenic surroundings of the Valley.
With its blend of music, memory and meaningful giving, Music in the Park continues to strike the right note.
