By Ongeziwe Sigwebela
Professor Franklin Larey, the Director of the School of Music at Ball State University in Indiana, United States, was recently honoured for his lifelong contribution to music and education. Rhodes University awarded him an Honorary Doctor of Music last Friday, making him the only recipient to be honoured on the day.
Originally from South Africa, Professor Larey expressed deep pride and gratitude upon receiving the recognition, calling it “an immense honour” for the work he has done both locally and internationally.
Larey says music is more than a sound; it is a bridge between people, culture, and dreams.
Larey highlighted the importance of making music education accessible to all children, especially those in rural areas. “My message to everybody is to make this kind of education, or any education, accessible to everybody,” he said. He emphasised that education should be grounded in social justice, equity, and opportunity, ensuring that talented young people are not left behind due to a lack of access or resources.
Although he is currently based in the United States, Larey said that he hopes to return to South Africa, “My promise and my plans are to return after retirement and make further contributions to developing talents and giving opportunities to very many young people,” he said.
His dedication to nurturing the next generation of musicians continues to inspire both students and educators.
When asked about the differences between teaching music in South Africa and the United States,
Larey said that there are “very few differences.” He explained that students in both countries
share the same passion and drive to succeed. “We all have the same humanity,” he said, “We deal with
young people who have the same aspirations. Nothing gave me more pleasure than to see everybody
working so hard and wanting the same thing.”
For Larey, music is not only about performance but also about personal expression and connection. He believes musicians reach their most authentic selves when they perform. “We find our deepest being actually very vulnerable at that moment because we express our very deepest emotions,” he said.
Through his lifelong commitment to teaching and his vision for inclusive music education, Professor
Larey continues to inspire hope, creativity, and unity across the continents, a legacy that now carries the
distinguished recognition of Rhodes University’s Honorary Doctorate in Music.
