DURBAN SYMPHONIC CHOIR

DSC prepares for Christmas season.

The Durban Symphonic Choir recently appeared in the impressive uShaka KaSenzangakhona based on the dramatic story of the legendary Zulu King. The performance took place as the final concert in the KZN Philharmonic’s Spring Season.

The Durban Symphonic Choir was formed in 1966 by Heather Brandon at the request of the Durban Council, and has become a fully self-funding amateur choir whose diverse membership comprises people who share a love of music.

The choir has become well-known for its presentations of major classical choral works, but it has also participated in many concerts of lighter music and has built up a loyal following of music lovers. A varied repertoire has been developed and includes presentations of major choral works including Beethoven's 9th Symphony, Bach's St Matthew Passion; Joseph Haydn's The Creation; the Requiems of Verdi, Brahms, Mozart, Fauré and Andrew Lloyd-Webber (SA premiere performance in 1991); Handel's Messiah; Mozart's Coronation Mass and Mendelssohn's Elijah. Another favourite with audiences is Carl Orff's Carmina Burana, and it has often featured in the choir's annual programme.

The choir's standard of music-making has been acclaimed by leading figures including Sir David Willcocks and Piero Gamba. Locally, the choir has established a long lasting and happy relationship with the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra and frequently performs in concerts with them, sometimes joining forces with other choirs; among them being the Durban Serenade Choral Society, The KwaZulu Natal Chorale, the Pietermaritzburg Amateur Music Society, the East Coast Choristers, the Symphony Choir of Johannesburg and the London Bach Choir.

Under the direction of Ros Conrad, the DSC is continually looking for new ways in which to extend the choir's appeal to a wider audience and to develop young and fresh talent that abounds in Durban and the surrounding areas.

The DSC is now preparing for the Christmas season and this year, for the first time, they will be adding Ballito to their list of venues when they present a Carol concert in aid of the Courier Orphan Fund in the Dutch Reformed Church on December 13 at 7:00pm. The programme includes popular choral items and solos as well as a number of well known carols for audience participation and promises to be an enjoyable evening focusing on the reason for the season.

The performance takes place on December 13 at 19h00 at the Dutch Reformed Church in Ballito. Tickets available from Postnet at the Lyfestyle Centre on 032 946 3551 or the Dutch Reformed Church office on 032 946 1198. Seating is unreserved.