November 29, 2004
By Anish Abraham
THE sounds of music and hundreds of melodious voices will fill the Standard Bank Arena when the 27th annual Old Mutual/Telkom National Choir Festival gets under way on 4 and 5 December.
The National Choir Festival is one of the main musical events on the southern African calendar.
After a series of regional competitions, the top choirs will be meeting in Johannesburg for the final event. Over 400 choirs from around the country and from neighbouring countries like Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland will vie for a place in the finals.
"Auditions for the festival are held in three phases - the district phase, the regional phase and the national phase," says Gerald Bhembe, project co-ordinator with Sportainment.
"After careful selection by judges, the number has been reduced to 25 choirs, with over 1 500 choristers".
National Choir Festival
The festival is seen as an instrument to promote high quality choral music in the region, while giving the audience something spectacular to remember. The festival also strives to improve the standard of choral music by conducting music workshops in each province.
This gives competing choirs an opportunity to work with other groups, professional conductors and music experts, thereby increasing their chances of progressing and, eventually, winning the competition.
The elimination of taped auditions has also helped the choirs involved, as they get exposure to performing before a live audience.
There are two categories: one for standard size choirs and one for large choirs. "The first three choirs in each category will receive trophies as well as prize money ranging from R12 000 to R25 000, while all other competing choirs will receive a R1 500 consolation prize," adds Bhembe.
Among the special awards in each category are trophies for best rendition of an African song and Western piece.
George Mxadana, chairman of the festival, says: "The Old Mutual/Telkom National Choir Festival enjoys a proud heritage of showcasing choral music of exceptional quality, and we are determined to make this 27th anniversary of the event bigger and better than ever before."
Tickets are R30 per day and can be bought at Computicket or at the door on the day of the Festival, depending on availability.
For more information contact Gerald Bhembe at Sportainment on 011 622 9440.
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