The Voices in Unison concert celebrated the beauty of choral music at the Artscape’s Women’s Humanity Arts Festival, in celebration of 30 years of democracy, on Sunday August 4.
The Uniting Reformed Church Wynberg Presbyterian choir where among those which took part, as well as the Cape Cultural Collective’s Rosa choir, Cape Town Camerata, UWC Creative Arts Choir, UCT Choir, Encore Chamber Choir, Joyful Harmonies, Cape Malay choir and The South Africa Youth Choir (SAYC).
Noel Andrew Fredericks, conductor and coordinator of the Uniting Reformed Church Wynberg Presbyterian choir, said they had two groups taking part – one women’s choir and one mixed gender choir. Choir members come from Wynberg, Parkwood, Retreat, Lotus River, Grassy Park, Lavender Hill and as far as Ocean View.
“It took us two months to practise our own three songs, which each group had to perform. The event concluded where we had a mass singing songs in each other’s language. Songs included Plea for Africa in English, Karoobos in Afrikaans, Bathawa in Xhosa and the Oerlied in (a Khoisan language).”
Mr Fredericks said the hall was packed and the mission to “get people to sing together” was successful.
“Music is the heart of the soul. When you feel down, you sing, when you are happy, you sing. We are striving to bring peace and harmony through using our voices.”
Mr Fredericks said he is the conductor of the choir groups and his wife Loretta is the pianist. “My son Liam, is also in the choir, so we live our lives through music.”
Loretta Fredericks said she has played the piano since primary school. “My granny, my mom and now I am playing the piano.
“To play at this event was a big honour and I loved it. The members who came from different areas in our choirs practised for two months and they were looking forward to every practice.
Mansoor Jaffer, the project manager of the Cape Cultural Collective said: “(Artscape CEO) Marlene Le Roux’s initiative to host this choral festival in celebration of 30 years of democracy needs to be lauded.
“The experience of the concert and the months of preparation was inspirational and confirmed for us the power of the arts to bring about deep transformation in our society.
“We were honoured that the Rosa choir, one of nine projects of the Cape Cultural Collective, was included in this amazing line-up of choirs from different traditions and backgrounds, united in their diversity.”
Mr Jaffer said the Rosa choir sings in English, Afrikaans and Xhosa and its membership comes from across the historical divides in our city.
“We were thrilled that the combined songs at the end of the show embraced various genres and traditions including the Dutch Malay song Rosa and offerings in Nama, Xhosa and Afrikaans.
“We wish to encourage the Artscape team to make this an annual event,” said Mr Jaffer.
Marvin Weavers, producer of the event at Artscape, said: “Choirs transcend social and cultural barriers, creating spaces where diverse voices come together in harmony. Voices in Unison celebrated these achievements and the beauty of choral music, highlighting its power to unite us as a nation.”
