Programme Director
The Head of the Department of Arts and Culture
Senior Management of the Department
Choristers
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and gentlemen
If the number of participants in this competition is anything to go by, choral music is certainly alive in South Africa. The support and commitment displayed by music enthusiasts both in and out of school to promote and kindle the flame of choral music and simultaneously expand it to new audience is a praiseworthy and notable achievement. Choral music has become an integral part of the tradition of the people of this country.
Ladies and gentlemen!
Before I proceed, I must give a well-deserved credit to the composers, choral music associations and choir conductors who have added flavour to this genre such that it narrates our history and epitomise our heritage.
The level of sophistication that has been injected in this art form has also contributed to the South African music genre.
As we celebrate the centenary, we need to pause and pay tribute to many choristers, composers, learners, educators and a number of individuals who made an invaluable contribution to the character and structure of this art form.
I am reminded amongst many, the role played by Josiah Gumede, one of the founding presidents of the African National Congress. Gumede was a pianist and a chorister who, whilst using his talent to entertain choral music fans, contributed immensely to the preservation and development of choral music genre.
Programme Director
I have no doubt that by now each music practitioner has undoubtedly experienced the powerful magnetism of sound and the infinite affection that is transmittable and unique to choral music.
Today we are truly witnessing a competition of choirs in their quest to bring into their mastery this art form which encourages people to develop a newfound patriotism and sense of belonging to a proud nation.
Although this choral music exhibition encourages a competitive spirit, it must be interpreted as a barometer for those associated with the promotion of the art form to evaluate and identify best practices in the discipline. By the same token, it should be used as a commodity to promote a community that coexists harmoniously regardless of the outcomes of the completion.
The Department of Arts and Culture has recognised the need to preserve, provide resources and create choral music laboratories to test practitioners’ levels of competency and provide conducive environment for up and coming choristers to learn from more versatile and proficient choristers.
If we examine the development of choral music amongst different communities internationally, we observe similar trends and patterns in the execution of the art form. If we venture into the life stories of many popular music performers and artists, we gather that choral music inevitably created the platform and foundation to launch their music careers and South African artists are no exception.
The Choral Music competition is a contributor to the choral music heritage of our province and the country. The competition is an exhibition of the contemporary choral music traditions and it also illustrates the leadership and choral master’s expertise in developing, strengthening and acknowledging the ingenuity of our current battalion of choristers.
This exhibition of choral music by both youth and adults can also be regarded as a nursery and incubator for shaping our future brigade of choral maestros.
May I take this opportunity to congratulate all the choristers, choral masters, and administrators for their support in encouraging and promoting choral music in spite of all the challenges and obstacles they may have encountered in their quest to achieve their goals.
Challenges make us who we are and our ability to overcome them becomes a yardstick to measure our character. With these few words, I would like to wish you a successful competition.
I thank you
