Thursday 28 April 2022: The second in our series of ‘Meet our Music Staff’ – Mr Peter Catzavelos.
Peter Catzavelos started his career in music as a pianist around the age of six. However, after joining the SACS cadet band as a Grade 8 pupil, the trumpet became his first instrument which he took as a music subject through to Matric.
Peter’s undergraduate degree was a B. Mus (Ed) at the University of Cape Town. He then went on to do military service at the Infantry School in Oudtshoorn where he joined an established band as a trumpeter.
His teaching career began at the Grey High School in Port Elizabeth in 1985. There he worked with the cadet band but established Grey’s Concert Band which is still going strong today. During this time he completed an LRSM teacher’s licentiate diploma.
Peter returned to Cape Town in 1989 and taught at JJ du Preez High School, Parow High School, and Milnerton High School before joining Wynberg in 2002. During this period he completed a B. Mus (Hons) degree in Trumpet performance through UCT and an Advanced Certificate in Education (Computer Studies) through Stellenbosch University. At Wynberg, Peter developed the existing band into a fully-fledged Concert Band and has also been manager of our Steel Band.
Outside interests of Peter’s include being a provincial deep-sea angler representing WP on numerous occasions. He is also recognised as a national competition skipper and is currently the records keeper for the province. Peter has also been the secretary for WP Boys’ Hockey for over 20 years.
As a performing musician, he is a Trumpeter in the Rod Conelly Band, Windworx Band, and Stellenbosch University Ensemble. He is also a Euphonium player in Cape Town Concert Brass, and a tenor in the choir of St. Michael and All Angels, Observatory.
At Wynberg Peter is not only seen conducting his band but also around the pool, on the side of the field, or at the back of a concert taking photographs – a hobby he is passionate about.
A #WynbergMedia article, with grateful thanks to Mr Richard Haigh.
