A full house at the Hilton College Theatre on Friday, February 18 resulted in a cheque for R10 000 being handed over to three young performers - Bheki Mkhize, Goodman Mkhize and Big Boy Mchunu. The three call themselves Maritzburg's Three Tenors and sing the kind of music made popular by those other Three Tenors in their concerts - religious, light classical and opera numbers. They became friends when they met singing in the Mayibuye i'Afrika choir at Bongudunga High School in Dambuza in the Edendale Valley and discovered their mutual passion for making music.

The young men can bring audiences to their feet with their singing - all done by ear because, although they can read solfa notation, they cannot read music and have learnt their repertoire by listening to recordings. However, they now have a chance to realise their dream of singing opera, because all three auditioned at the University of Natal last month and have all been accepted to study for a three-year diploma in performance.

The two Mkhizes and Mchunu are on the verge of success, but quite apart from the hard work they will need to put in at university, they face a problem of funding. Mchunu, hailed at his audition as "a real natural" has received a university bursary to cover his fees, but the other two still need to find the money. Hence the Hilton College Theatre concert.

Theatre director Geoff Thompson heard about the tenors after they gave a lunchtime concert at the Tatham Art Gallery, organised by the South African Society of Music Teachers. He then arranged the Hilton concert, with all proceeds from ticket sales in the 470-seat theatre going to the Three Tenors' Fund. The tickets sold out and the young singers looked nervous when they faced their biggest ever audience, but, singing for much more than their supper, they charmed the crowd.

The first university fee payment is now taken care of, but there will be more, and all three singers need to find accommodation in Durban. Anyone wishing to help them can contact Jean Kudernatsch on (033) 394 1818 or Jane Edwards on (033) 394 0170, or make a donation to the SASMT Three Tenors Fund at PO Box 320, Pietermaritzburg 3200.