Qualifications
D Phil: Doctorate in music from NMMU

M Mus: Master of Music (thesis on the history of the guitar) from

Rhodes University

B Mus: Bachelor of Music with guitar as main practical instrument from Rhodes University

LTCL: Guitar teacher’s diploma from Trinity College of Music, London

LRSM: Guitar performer’s diploma from Royal Schools of Music, London

RULM: Guitar teacher’s diploma from Rhodes University

D MeC: Diploma in guitar performance from Musica en Compostela, Santiago, Spain

 

Teaching Experience

Began teaching guitar at the Bob Fairweather School of Music in Johannesburg in 1966.

Full-time music teacher at primary and high schools in the 1970s including Kokstad High School, Clarendon Park Primary and Westering High teaching guitar, piano and music subject work.

Part-time lecturer in guitar at Rhodes University for four years and at Nelson Mandela University for the last 40 years. Full-time lecturer in music at the Port Elizabeth College of Education for 12 years training music teachers.

Taught guitar from my private studio for 41 years. Styles taught include classical, jazz, rock and blues.

 

Played rock guitar (lead guitar) in many groups including The Shanes, Johnny Collini and the Clan (Jo’burg), The Pleasure Machine (came 4th in the national Battle of the Bands competition in Jo’burg), The Trade Union, Smudge (won the trophy for best lead guitarist at the On The Go band competition), Smudge’s Lunch and The Influence of Philos. More recently in contract bands for limited run shows such as Creedence Clearwater Revival Revival, Legends of the 50s, Legends of the 90s and The Wizards of Oz – Rock from Oz and New Zealand.

Played jazz guitar in many groups and concerts including the Army Gymnasium Show Band in Pretoria for a year. This was followed by the John Rothman Three in Jo’burg, Route 98 Big Band, the UPE Big Band and many jazz concerts in Port Elizabeth and further afield. Have been the invited guitarist with the East Cape Philharmonic Orchestra for all their Pops concerts over a number of decades as well as their Concerts in the Park. As such, have worked with a number of well known South African conductors such as Richard Cock, Michael Hankinson, Rocco De Villiers, Christopher Dowdeswell and Jerry Bosman.

Played guitar in many theatre production bands and orchestras at the Opera House,  Savoy Theatre, Ford Little Theatre and  other venues for many long running shows (usually about 21 performances each). These include such shows as Grease (4 times), Fame, Fiddler on the Roof (twice), Evita, Sweet Charity, Pajama Game, Chicago, Joseph (3 times), Little Shop of Horrors (twice), Annie (twice), La Belle Helen (Little Theatre-Rhodes University) and Richard Gush of Salem (Labia Theatre-Cape Town) and children’s shows including Tin Pan Alley and Wildcat on Safari. Was also guitarist for the Herald Showtime productions for 9 years.

 

 

Other Experience

Adjudicated many music competitions in both classical and rock music including the national Shell Road to Fame, Charles Bryars University Bursary Competition, Herald On the Go Show, SASMT Competition for Primary and High Schools, Easter Cape Choir Competition etc.

Compiled and scripted radio programmes for Music and Musicians broadcast on SABC national radio.

Committee member and treasurer for the local branch of the South African Society of Music Teachers for 10 years.

Music critic for the Herald and Evening Post newspapers for 12 years.

External examiner for classical guitar examinations as well as for post-grad theses for various universities around the country.

Inducted into the Showtime Hall of Fame February 2022 “recognising many years of service to music and musical theatre and musical education in Port Elizabeth”.

 

 

 

Home | About Me | Syllabus | FAQ | Lessons Online | Past Students | Vocal Lessons | Contact

© 2023, Howard Nock