Mandela University Choir year-end concert a treat for choral and musical lovers

The concert, which is part of the choir’s 30^th anniversary celebrations and building up to the official event, also features performances by the South Campus Cluster Choir and the Faculty of Education Choir, promising an evening of outstanding choral music and collaboration.

Themed Roots & Wings, the concert reflects on the rich heritage of the University choir over the last 30 years as well as songs performed in those years, while looking forward to future endeavours and shaping the sound of the choir.

The concert will take place at the North Campus Auditorium on October 25 from 18:00 to 20:00, and guests will be treated to a vibrant programme showcasing a range of compositions that celebrate resilience, unity and transformation.

Some of the featured performances include:

• Baba Yetu by Christopher Tin, an internationally renowned piece.
• Be The Change by Laura Farnell, which inspires listeners to reflect on their impact in the world.
• Emarabini (cover) arranged by choir member Mbali Ngube.
• Mvimbeni composed by Xolile Ngwatyu, bringing powerful harmonies and deep cultural roots.
• Scarborough Fair (arranged by Mary Goetze), adding a classical touch to the lineup.
• Neria (cover), originally by Oliver Mtukudzi, arranged by Divine Mlambo, a beautiful tribute to strength and solidarity.
• The choir will also perform Masithokoze (cover) by Mafikizolo and the emotive God Be With You by Charl Keet, a piece specially written for the Nelson Mandela University Choir.

The choir was formed in 1994 at the then University of Port Elizabeth (UPE), with its membership growing to include students from across Mandela University campuses after the merger in 2005. It has enjoyed international acclaim, having performed in various countries around the world, including the USA, Macau, China, Norway, Italy, Spain and Austria.

The choir has performed for numerous globally celebrated individuals, including former President Nelson Mandela in 1996 and Queen Elizabeth II in 1999. For its 20^th anniversary in 2014, it hosted a members’ reunion performance at the Dutch Reformed Church, in Summerstrand, and a silver anniversary five years later that also marked the retirement of its founding conductor, Ms Juanita van Dijk.

With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown protocols, the choir ventured into innovative ways to keep the music flowing, with goosebump-inducing virtual performance arranged and directed by the then conductor, Ms Ulagh Williams.

Robert Gillmer, who took over as conductor last year, has been working with some of the choir members on new-age arrangements set to take the ensemble to new heights.

In May this year, the choir collaborated with Korean singers from Ensemble Enus, bringing enchanting musical harmonies interwoven from two countries together on stage at the University’s South Campus Auditorium.

“We look forward to welcoming guests to this special celebration and more to come,” Gillmer said.

At Friday’s concert, the choir will be dressed by SESAM – by Hlumela Sota, a Mandela University fashion design alumnus.