Local learner spreads his wings at the Drakensberg Boys Choir

Faith, determination and natural talent have seen Areli Mellanby (10) of Rynfield, complete his first full term at the Drakensberg Boys Choir.

This avid musician from Ridgewood College was snapped up by the choir, following a school excursion to the Drakensberg Boys Choir School at the end of 2021, where he was invited on stage to drum with the group of 80 members during one of its weekly public performances.

“We met the group at the school to watch the concert and was shocked when towards the end, Areli was invited to participate,” said his mom, Jeanrie a music teacher at Ridgewood.

“He is tremendously talented and plays the drums, guitar, as well as piano. He is dedicated to his craft and practices without fail.”

She continues by saying that having a visitor invited to perform with the choir is unheard off and in weeks to come he was invited to audition for the group.

“Given my musical background, I know that he is musically gifted but never for a moment considered that he would be selected for the choir,” she said.

“However, he had his heart set on joining the school therefore we agreed to take him for the audition.

“Given the school fees, we realised that financially we would not be able to enrol him at the Drakies, should he be successful.”

Aware of his parents’ concerns Areli turned to his faith and unbeknown to them he took all his savings money and presented it to the church as his offering.

“When we realised that he had made this offering, all the money he had saved to buy a new bicycle, we were shocked,” said Jeanrie.

“Without hesitation, he answered that made a promise to God that he will give everything he has and in turn, his prayers will be answered.”

Following a successful audition and receiving an invitation to join the historic choir, the Mellanby family’s concerns were eased when Areli became the recipient of a partial monthly donation, which would fund half of his tuition.

He has now completed his first term at the Drakies. He will be returning home at the end of June to perform at the Mandela at the Joburg Theatre on June 23 and 24.

“We are in awe of all that he has achieved in such a short period. His faith has made us more faithful in our beliefs,” she said.

“He has already completed 10 of the 20 tests to gain his concert status, including music theory and reading music.”

Areli dreams of jetting off to the United States, at the end of matric to pursue a career within the music industry.

For more information on the upcoming Drakensberg Boys Choir performance visit www.joburgtheatre.com.

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