At The Hall, we are getting excited as the 2026 South Africa Music Tour approaches!

October will see the Music Tour's fourth visit to Morning Stars, a community youth outreach programme based in Mamelodi, Pretoria in South Africa and founded in 2008 by Mrs Celia Dhladhla.

Morning Stars provides disadvantaged young people in the township of Mamelodi with three things they deserve and need, focused around music: somewhere to go, something to do and someone to talk to.

The young people have opportunities to learn musical instruments and to participate in musical activities which lead to the development of self-discipline, teamwork and resilience. Once they have acquired adequate proficiency in their instrument, they give performances and concerts in various contexts.

Morning Stars aims to provide a safe space not only for the nurturing of musical talent, but also for addressing the psychological and emotional needs of the children who participate in its programmes. For many children, Morning Stars offers the chance for a different and more promising future for themselves and their families.

Since 2016, The Hall South Africa music tour has fundraised for this charity, purchasing a 'music house' facility in 2019 and raising funds in 2023 to renovate the facility and equip it with excellent resources. Architectural plans have now been approved, and we hope the construction can begin towards the end of the year.

Alongside continuing to support Morning Stars with our fundraising for the upcoming 2026 tour, a portion of the money raised will also be donated to other community initiatives and organisations that we will visit and perform with during the tour, ensuring that our support reaches as many young people as possible.

Hall students attending the upcoming tour are now busy deciding how each of them will contribute to the fundraising. They are using their initiative to think of fun and novel ways to raise money, perhaps through sponsored practice or busking sessions, for example. Our aim is to raise around £20,000 - £25,000 before we depart for South Africa in October.

Any support you may be able to offer will be gratefully received - no amount is too small to make a difference. Thank you.