University of Johannesburg Choir making moves within industry
chaperoned by UJ and UP for several days prior to KUESTA. This initiative is part of an exchange by the American Choral Director’s Association (ACDA) and the three South African universities mentioned above. Events For the first time in many years, UJC will join the Wits Choir on stage on 16 August. Performances with Barnsley Youth Choir from England (21 August), Songs of Praise with Richard Cock in Nelspruit (25 August), PUK Choir at Etienne Rossouw Theatre in Sasolburg (13 October), annual Celebration Concert (25 October) and Dean’s Concert (2 November) will conclude a very exciting year. The choir’s latest CD Peace is undeniably one of their best. It is proof of their ability to perform both African and Western music with stylistic insight – indeed a rare quality (Price: R150, available from the choir office or at choir@ uj.ac.za and on all major digital platforms). Preparations for their participation at the World Choir Games in Flanders in 2020 where they will have to defend their title are in full swing. Watch this space!
After the phenomenal achievements of 2018 (winning two gold medals at the World Choir Games and being crowned Champions of the World in the category Folk Music A Cappella), UJ Choir is on a roll. One of the choir’s highlights, this year, will be a concert with the Afro Jazz diva of South Africa, Gloria Bosman, on 13 September. This unusual fusion of art forms and music styles will be a first of its kind – with composed work and new musical arrangements. The concert will also feature a young and upcoming vocal group that birthed from the UJ Choir called Breathe, all to add extra spice to the sound palette. The University Choir Festival, KUESTA, takes place in Potchefstroom from 20 to 22 September this year hosted by NWU. The festival occurs on rotation every second year and although it is not a competition, choirs put forward their best foot to prove that the standard of choral music is alive and well at our academic institutions and can measure up to the best in the international arena. In reaching global recognition, five young conductors from the United States of America will experience this first hand after they have been
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ALUMNI IMPUMELELO
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