The Head of Parks
and Recreation (EThekwini Municipality), Thembinkosi Ngcobo, has been spearheading
the unity of choirs within the city in order for government to be able to come
on board and assist in the development of the genre.
Clermont Choir
Foundation heeded the call and, together with the City, has come up with the
initiative of uniting four of the best EThekwini Choirs in an agreement of
working together and sharing resources and ideas.
A live recording of
an SABC choral show and a free concert will be held on November 16 at the Durban
University of Technology (City Campus) with Thembinkosi Ngcobo giving a keynote
address and officially launching the initiative.
The four choirs in
partnership are: SA Singers; Prince Mshiyeni Choir; Durban Serenade Choral
Society and the hosts, Clermont Community Choir.
The city has
supported the Clermont Choir Foundation to assist in creating programmes of the
development of choral music within the city. This is the first Foundation
established by the local choir and amongst their work they have assisted music
students with bursaries, social needs and otherwise. The Foundation is the
registered entity and its objectives are the development of choral music.
The aim for this
Sister Choir initiative is to professionalize the choral music and
commercialize the art form- choirs are seemed to be only focusing on choral
competitions yet there is so much they can do in social development and thus
creating jobs and assist in education.
The four Choirs are
entering into an agreement to work together. As the entity that has been
advocating for professional running of the genre, Clermont Choir will assist
the other choirs to meet requirements of running organizations as
professionals.
The Foundation will
afford the business consultant to come and assist the leadership of the other
counterparts into matter of corporate governance and registrations.
The choral show
will take place on November 16 at 12h00 at the Durban University of Technology
(City Campus). SABC Choristers from Johannesburg has been confirmed as the
Guest Choir for the day and SABC will be recording the ceremony for TV
broadcast.
For further enquiries,
contact Wiseman Mkhize; CEO of the Clermont Choir Foundation on 031 369 9436 or
083 976 7040 or email: ceo@clermontchoir.co.za
or visit www.clermontchoir.co.za