Michael du Preez | Updates

TAFARA

Michael du Preez — Wed, 9 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

TAFARA is a three-book, middle-grade adventure series, soon to be serialized on my website. so, WATCH THIS SPACE! and become a subscriber.

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NO ORDINARY MAN Mini-Opera

Michael du Preez — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Easter is looming and the Mini-Opera, Musical I wrote entitled, 'NO ORDINARY MAN' is a must for Christians to download and listen to and mount as a theatre production in their Churches.

Link below.

Please spread it around and 'Like' it if you enjoyed it. AND join my mailing list.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUqIw0aqXpI

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Jesus and the Minstrel (85,000 words)

Michael du Preez — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Greetings one and all. I've completed my latest novel entitled, 'JESUS AND THE MINSTREL. Now comes the hardest part of writing a book, you've guessed it. Seeking a Literary Agent to sell it to a Traditional Publisher.

Cheers for now and have a great day. Stay Blessed.

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OUR CHRISTMAS GIFT - A CHILD FROM GOD - by Michael du Preez

Michael du Preez — Thu, 10 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This is a Christmas Carol which I wrote many years ago.

Oh Branch of Jesse, Stem and Rod Oh Joy for all who Care
Our Christmas Gift, A Child from God, for all Mankind to share
Oh Jesus you were born to us, a Prince of Peace, A Child
To show your Kingdom here on Earth, that we be reconciled

Chorus:

Who can resist all Your Spirit of Wisdom,
Your Spirit of Truth and of Knowledge and Might
Who can resist all your Grace and Compassion
Your Spirit of Love and Your Wondrous Light?

Oh Son of David, Son of Man, You'll soon be back to stay
Our Christ of Christmas, God's own Plan, the Truth, the Light, the Way
Oh Jesus, you came down to Earth, and are to come again

Our promise of Eternal Hope and of Eternal Reign.

Chorus:

Who can resist all Your Spirit of Wisdom,
Your Spirit of Truth and of Knowledge and Might
Who can resist all your Grace and Compassion
Your Spirit of Love and Your Wondrous Light?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoDHoUMNdTM

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Adding more credits

Michael du Preez — Fri, 4 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Having hurriedly sent off my previous blog, I realized how terribly remiss I had been, in not adding justly deserving credits in addition to the single FB credit. Therefore, I'd now like to thank and credit the following people -

1. Rick Burnes and Audrey Derobert from Author Websites by BookBub who provide this wonderful new author website we are still busy constructing, along with all their friendly 'hands-on human, not AI'' advice and support. This website is awesome and very easy to build compared to other websites that are touted on the internet, but difficult to navigate. Thank you Team.

2. Scott Hughes from OnlineBookClub.Org who promotes books daily to his vast following of readers. My 4 X 4 Star reviewed Canned Lion Hunting adventure novel, 'Justice of the Wild' is earmarked for 'Book of the Day' on October 29 2024. Thank you Scott.

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South African rugby icon, Siya Kolisi, takes girl with cancer under his wing

Michael du Preez — Fri, 4 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Picture on the left was taken a few years ago, with Siya Kolisi and me at the Sandton Sun Hotel where I am the resident pianist.

The Reach for a Dream Foundation is a Non-Profit organization that helps children with life threatening diseases to achieve their life dreams.

This wonderful foundation helped a young girl, Isabella, who has soft tissue sarcoma type cancer, to realize her special dream of a lifetime, to meet the South African Springbok Rugby Captain, Siya Kolisi.

Siya, being the wonderful larger than life South African icon, graciously fell in with what was to transpire on Saturday 28 September 2024, when the Springboks played Argentina at the Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga, South Africa.

Isabella's paediatric oncologist, Dr Rema Mathew, knowing what this meant to her patient, contacted the Reach for a Dream Foundation and the rugby ball rolled right into the hands of the Springboks, and more especially Siya Kolisi, their captain.

Rachel Kolisi, Siya's wife, (also a philanthropist in her own right), knew before Siya, about the TV interview that Isabella was giving and even though she had been sworn to secrecy to not tell Siya, she did. Isabella's interview was followed by a heartwarming response from Siya, telling her how excited he was to meet her on the Saturday of the important rugby match. He told her that if she was nervous to meet him, not to worry, as he is always nervous before a match and her running onto the field with him would give him extra courage.

It was so amazing to see Siya, running onto the field holding Isabella's hand tightly. The crowd in the stadium had no idea who this young lady was and everyone sang the South African National Anthem with true style South African gusto, as Isabella stood next to Siya.

Isabella and her family watched the game in the stadium, after which, the young lady returned to where the Springbok team were celebrating their win and she was given the honor of handing over The Rugby Championship Trophy by our Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie to Siya, to a thunderous applause from the packed stadium of almost 45 thousand rugby fans and watched by countless millions worldwide,

This of course, included my family and me.

The link below shows Isabella receiving the Reach for a Dream Foundation letter, followed by Siya's impassioned reply.

I took the liberty of taking the video from Siya's FB page, so credits to FB.

https://www.facebook.com/CNNTVSA/videos/507314368820496

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NATURE'S GLORY

Michael du Preez — Sun, 29 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This is an original piano composition, played by me at the Sandton Sun Hotel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1gabignvuc

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NO ORDINARY MAN - MINI-OPERA - A MUSICAL REVELATION

Michael du Preez — Sun, 29 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The aim of this work is to fulfil the Great Jesus Commission by spreading Original Gospel songs and other Christian compositions to Churches and Gospel singing groups. Lead Sheet Music for all these songs is available from: edumikela@gmail.com

NO ORDINARY MAN Mini-Opera is a 48-minute, 25-Track Musical setting, taken from the perspective of the Jewish occupants of the house where Jesus and His disciples spent their last night in Jerusalem. This Mini-Opera, ideal for performance at Easter, depicts, in rousing Chorus Songs, Solo Arias and Narration (over music), events from the Last Supper to the triumphant Resurrection, ending in the Hallelujah Chorus entitled, 'He Is Risen'. Single Arias and chorus songs from the Musical will be presented on the YouTube channel from time to time. NO ORDINARY MAN is designed for singing groups, from the smallest number to the largest choirs with soloists and choristers. It is suitable for schools, churches or concert performances and is scored for Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass with a full piano score. Orchestral backtracks with chorus voices only, (to sing along with), but minus Solo voices, (that are sung live) are available for user-friendly performances. The Script with full Piano SATB Score is also available from: edumikela@gmail.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUqIw0aqXpI

Separate URL for Hallelujah Chorus only -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mr8lQWKP6ZI

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HALLELUJAH CHORUS FROM MINI-OPERA 'NO ORDINARY MAN'

Michael du Preez — Sun, 29 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This is the final song from the Mini-Opera 'No Ordinary Man'.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mr8lQWKP6ZI

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SUZIE

Michael du Preez — Sun, 29 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

An original composition depicting Andrew Evans’ meeting with his life partner. There is no video, but the words are below the link.

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=TLzX02JZfsw

Did I first meet Suzie as an answer to a prayer?

We would go ballooning in the sky

In the silence as the golden sunlight stroked her hair

We would hear the swallows wafting by

(Some would call her Susan

Others called her Sue)

She is just my Suzie

What else can I do?

When she looks into my eyes

There's a hazy hue

Everybody loves my Suzie

So would you

Then one day she went to toil, five-hundred miles away

Working in a city by the sea

Thru the week my midnight oil would burn till break of day

I was losing all my sanity

(Some would call her Susan

Others called her Sue)

She is just my Suzie

What else can I do?

When she looks into my eyes

There's a hazy hue

Everybody loves my Suzie

So would you

Throwing caution to the ground I got onto a plane

Every weekend we were on a spree

Twenty-one years later and our love is still insane

Celebrating love's sweet rhapsody

(Some would call her Susan

Others called her Sue)

She is just my Suzie

What else can I do?

When she looks into my eyes

There's a hazy hue

Everybody loves my Suzie

So would you

(Everybody loves your Suzie)

So would you

Everybody loves my Suzie

So would you

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WE THE PEOPLE

Michael du Preez — Sun, 29 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This is another original composition entitled 'We the People', a South African patriotic song that could be sung in schools, sports stadiums and other gatherings. The words speak to the hearts of children, sports fans and players alike.

It is an inspiring song of a new dispensation in South Africa with our Government of National Unity (GNU).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVK082Jam00

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RISE UP

Michael du Preez — Sun, 29 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This is an original composition and video to support Women in their fight against Gender Based Violence (GBV). There is such a scourge against women and children, and I felt strongly about writing this song to encourage women to stand up for their rights.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PB7IF_4Rgo

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ODE FOR UKRAINE

Michael du Preez — Sun, 29 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

With thanks to the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of South Africa, for their support. I have composed and created this Ode for Ukraine (see link below). With Andrew Evans’ help and singing voice, we compiled this video production as a prayer song to highlight and show the world the devastation of Putin's unsolicited war against the sovereign and peace-loving country of Ukraine and to show support for the brave Ukrainian people and their courageous leader, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Due to the senseless carnage and depravity wreaked by the Russian army, so many wives and children have now painfully become widows and orphans as so many families have been torn apart and displaced. Innocent, sacrificed children have paid the price. Entire cities have been reduced to rubble and families who lived there, have lost everything.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvM-MzsMBGg

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Halleluia Chorus, video from Mini-Opera, 'No Ordinary Man.

Michael du Preez — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

No Ordinary Man is a sixty-minute Mini-Opera I composed some time back, and it tells the story of Jesus, from the Last Supper to the Crucifixion. The Halleluia Chorus is the final piece. Listen, and if you like what you hear, I will feature the entire Mini Opera in a forthcoming update.

No Ordinary Man Mini Opera, is a pre-recorded with soloists and chorus voices and is designed to accommodate singing groups from the smallest number to larger choirs

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JUSTICE OF THE WILD AUDIOBOOK VIDEO & PROMO IN THE LINK BELOW

Michael du Preez — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiSDf3i5oi0&t=4s

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William books, still relevant today. Dr. Joe Dispenza, way ahead of his time.

Michael du Preez — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This is my daughter Elise, with me reading William by Richmal Crompton, during her exercising. She has been bravely battling MS for many years, but laughing heartily, is sometimes the best medicine.

There are other times when we get serious and read, study and become totally absorbed in books by New York Times best-selling author, Dr. Joe Dispenza, such as, 'Becoming Supernatural', in which he not only expounds his theory on how to heal yourself, by rewiring your brain, but also runs workshops in which amazing healings take place in what he refers to as living your future, healthy self, in the present moment.

I quote from the back of the book, About the Author. 'As a researcher, Dr. Joe's passion can be found at the intersection of the latest findings of the fields of neuroscience, epigenetics, and quantum physics to explore the science behind spontaneous remissions. He uses that knowledge to help people heal themselves of illnesses, chronic conditions, and even terminal diseases so they can enjoy a more fulfilled and happy life, as well as evolve their consciousness. At his advanced workshops around the world, he has partnered with other scientists to perform extensive research on he effects of meditation, including epigenetic testing, brain mapping with EEG's and individual energy field testing with a gas discharge visualization (GDV) machine. His research also includes both heart coherent with HeartMath monitors and the energy present in the workshop environment before, during, and after events with a GDV Sputnik sensor.

As a corporate consultant, Dr Joe gives onsite lectures and workshops for businesses and corporations interested in using neuroscientific principles to boost employees' creativity, innovation, productivity, and more. His corporate program also includes private coaching for upper management. Dr Joe has personally trained and certified a group of more than 70 corporate trainers who teach his model of transformation to companies around the world. He also recently began to certify independent coaches to use his model of change with their own clients.

As a New York Times best-selling author, Dr Joe has written the following:

You are the Placebo;

Making Your Mind Matter, which explores our ability to heal without drugs or surgery, but rather by thought alone;

He has also written Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself;

How to Lose your Mind and Create a New One;

Evolve Your Brain;

The Science of Changing Your Mind; and much more.'

My wife, Elaine, and I are hoping to send Elise to one of Dr Joe's workshops as funds allow.

Stay Blessed.

Michael.

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