THE University of Fort Hare will today be hosting a musical concert in celebration of Freedom Day, at the Guild Theatre, in East London.
The concert is a project by the university’s music department which will see four different choirs sharing a stage.
The UFH choir will be joined by two local school choirs, as well as the Neuer Kammerchor from Germany.
Chairwoman of the local organising committee Dr Zoliswa Twani said: “For years they have been interested in coming to the country, so they identified UFH to partner with, because of the university’s association with Nelson Mandela.
“We then decided to include some of the local school choirs and make it a whole choral music extravaganza,” Twani said.
“Each choir will perform, followed by a massed choir programme featuring popular South African folk songs, accompanied by the UFH marimba band. During the second half, we expect to have at least 300 participants on stage,” she said.
Also joining the choirs on stage, will be two local up-and-coming artists signed by ECAVC records, which is at the UFH Miriam Makeba centre for performing arts.
“A fusion of some hip-hop into the concert will provide for a fun break from the choral music, while also giving local artists an opportunity to showcase their talents,” Twani said.
Theresa Cammel, who has been a Kammerchor member for the past eight years, said although they have travelled extensively around the world, this was the choir’s first visit to South Africa.
“We’ve toured Europe and South America quite a bit, and travelled to some parts of Asia as well.
“But we have always wanted to come here and we have been planning this trip for a couple of years now,” Cammel said.
Cammel said the three weeks that they have spent in the country preparing for the concert, have been “an eye-opener”.
“We have been rehearsing for almost a month and we know and understand the songs a bit better now.
“The music has really helped us to understand South African people and their history better; it has been a really great learning experience that we have all enjoyed. We cannot wait to perform for everyone,” Cammel said.
The concert starts at 6.30pm and tickets cost R20 for adults and R10 for pupils. — ziphon@dispatch.co.za
Choral music extravaganza on today
The concert is a project by the university’s music department which will see four different choirs sharing a stage.
The UFH choir will be joined by two local school choirs, as well as the Neuer Kammerchor from Germany.
Chairwoman of the local organising committee Dr Zoliswa Twani said: “For years they have been interested in coming to the country, so they identified UFH to partner with, because of the university’s association with Nelson Mandela.
“We then decided to include some of the local school choirs and make it a whole choral music extravaganza,” Twani said.
“Each choir will perform, followed by a massed choir programme featuring popular South African folk songs, accompanied by the UFH marimba band. During the second half, we expect to have at least 300 participants on stage,” she said.
Also joining the choirs on stage, will be two local up-and-coming artists signed by ECAVC records, which is at the UFH Miriam Makeba centre for performing arts.
“A fusion of some hip-hop into the concert will provide for a fun break from the choral music, while also giving local artists an opportunity to showcase their talents,” Twani said.
Theresa Cammel, who has been a Kammerchor member for the past eight years, said although they have travelled extensively around the world, this was the choir’s first visit to South Africa.
“We’ve toured Europe and South America quite a bit, and travelled to some parts of Asia as well.
“But we have always wanted to come here and we have been planning this trip for a couple of years now,” Cammel said.
Cammel said the three weeks that they have spent in the country preparing for the concert, have been “an eye-opener”.
“We have been rehearsing for almost a month and we know and understand the songs a bit better now.
“The music has really helped us to understand South African people and their history better; it has been a really great learning experience that we have all enjoyed. We cannot wait to perform for everyone,” Cammel said.
The concert starts at 6.30pm and tickets cost R20 for adults and R10 for pupils. — ziphon@dispatch.co.za
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