marius de bruin

ORGAN, PIANO AND TEACHING EXPERIENCE:

I started with organ lessons in primary school and studied organ under the guidance of Prof. Wim Viljoen at the University of Pretoria. I also took part in UNISA’s first National Organ competition in 1996. I also acted as organist at many churches during the years in Pretoria and Louis Trichardt. These include the following:

• Dutch reformed church Olifantsfontein

• Dutch reformed church Quaggapoort

• Dutch reformed church Wonderboom

• Reformed church Louis Trichardt

• Anglican Church St. Paul’s

• Dutch reformed Wonderpark

• Hervormd Mountain View/ Bergsig

At the moment I am employed as organist and choir master at Hervormd Bergsig. I have taught many private organ and piano pupils and won several medals at eisteddfods during the past years. I also gave a number of piano and organ recitals in Limpopo, Gauteng and Eastern Cape.

VIOLIN PLAYING AND TEACHING:

I started with violin lessons at a very young age and did this as a subject until matric. I was a member of the Northern Transvaal Youth orchestra between 1985-1987. I taught private pupils and played at many concerts and eisteddfods.

CHOIR SINGING AND EXPERIENCE:

I was a member of the following choirs:

• N.K.P Boys choir: 1981-1987

• Northern Transvaal Youth choir: 1987-1991

• Pro Arté choir: 1987-1991

I also acted as accompanist and arranger of choir music and sang in the TRUK and Ad Hock choir in various opera productions such as Faust, Aïda and Carmen.

• I have received bursaries form the Afrikaanse Kunsvereniging afdeling vir Orreliste during 1990-1992.

• Pretoria eisteddfod bursary for accompanists in 1995

• Stigting vir skeppende kunste, 1993-1994

TEACHING AT SCHOOLS:

Arts and culture teacher at Hoërskool Nylstroom 2002

Head of the music centre of Hoërskool Louis Trichardt 2003-2005.

COMPOSITIONS

Composer of 2 operas, Via Dolorosa and Mara.

Written several Chamber music mostly performed in Europe.

QUALIFICATIONS OBTAINED:

Matriculated in 1991 at Pro Arté in Pretoria.

UNISA Music theory grade 6

UNISA Piano grade 8

UNISA organ grade 8 (merit)

Diploma in church music (Raad vir Kerkmusiek) June 1992

BMUS (Performers) obtained at the University of Pretoria in 1997.

I am very focused on technique and have a very good understanding of it as well, but I believe music is about musicality, the ability to share your view of life through music. For all the instruments I usually give exercises to my students in form of scales and short pieces or studies in certain techniques. When I see a student with a certain technique its better to first get it to be perfect before going on to the next level. When it comes to musicality, I love my students to be free of mind to develop their own personality in their playing.