(Bryan
Schimmel)
Young South African artists have joined
together, in their individual homes and via technology during #LockDown to
record The Ultimate South African Song
Medley, as a “THANK YOU” to all the healthcare professionals and other
essential workers who are putting their lives at risk on a daily basis in order
for the rest of us to #BeSafe and to be able to #StayHome.
Adcock Ingram OTC’s Sponsors of Brave
Campaign in association with Stageworx Performing Arts School, released a video
of The Ultimate South African Song Medley
to not only thank our “heroes who don’t wear capes”, but to uplift the nation
through local music.
To quote one of the greatest heroes, Nelson
Mandela,;
“Music is a great blessing. It has the
power to elevate and liberate us.
It sets people free to dream. It can unite
us to sing with one voice.
Such is the value of music.”
The
Ultimate South African Song Medley integrates 28 of
the most instantly recognisable classic South African songs from music icons
across diverse genres from the last 50 years, woven into a seamless tapestry by
music arranger, maestro extraordinaire, Bryan Schimmel, and performed by 50
students and alumni from Stageworx Performing Arts School in Johannesburg.
Music from Brenda Fassie to Kurt Darren,
Mandoza to PJ Powers, Yvonne Chaka Chaka to The Parlotones, Miriam Makheba to
Four Jacks and a Jill, Sonja Herholdt to Mafikozolo to name but a few – are all
included to showcase the rich musical culture of South Africa.
Says Schimmel of the Medley: “It’s very
nostalgic. It gives people that “oh-wow-I-forgot-about-that-song” feeling. It
introduces the youth of today to the wealth and heritage of great South African
music that was produced long before they were even born. The result is a
multi-cultural and cross-generational musical celebration.”
(Durban
singer Marianthe Panas is among the artists, photographed in her home)
Gemma Marinus, Director of Stageworx
Performing Arts School, explains the procedure of putting this video together: “The
brief was sent out to +/- 160 of our students (current and alumni) including
some students that have already made a name for themselves in the Arts industry
such as John Tsenoli, Phil Higgins, Yahto Kraft and Marianthe Panas.”
She continues: “Everyone jumped at the
chance to be part of the project. All our students were sent harmonies and
certain lead lines that they had to record at home on their cell phones and we
were sent back all the recordings. From there, Matthew Marinus mixed all the
vocal recordings and we sent back for everyone to record their videos (again on
their cellphones). It was incredible to see the level of enthusiasm and talent
that was sent through to us.”
Marinus concludes; “It is incredible how
music and the arts is a complete leveller - it doesn't matter if our students
are from affluent or underprivileged backgrounds, when they walk into class
no-one is better than the next and everyone is there for their passion. The Ultimate South African Song Medley
has been a performance piece that is much loved by our Stageworx students. One
thing is for sure, we will be keeping our students busy during the lockdown
with already planned online classes, workshops and more exciting projects -
music and the arts is the one thing that will help every South African
emotionally through these challenging times ahead, and it should never be
underestimated. “
Adcock Ingram OTC Financial Director
Yudhveer Singh applauds the youth as he describes, “It’s encouraging that even
in these uncertain times, South Africa’s young people are energized to show the
lighter and more optimistic side of life. The youth have united through our
local, iconic music to celebrate all the healthcare and other essential workers
that BRAVELY support our nation during this tumultuous period. The medley
exudes fun, joy and nostalgia, allowing us as South Africans, a reprieve from
the challenges that surround us.”
Yudhveer added, “A few weeks ago along-side
News24, Adcock Ingram OTC launched Sponsors of BRAVE a campaign celebrating and
sharing the stories of pharmacists, doctors, nurses and other healthcare
professionals who have gone above and beyond their day-to-day call of duty.
This melodious compilation is a dedication to all South Africans doing the
right thing and making a difference.”
Marinus sums up the eagerness of Stageworx
Performing Arts School’s involvement in this project; “It is such a blessing to
have a company like Adcock Ingram OTC help bring this medley to life. Through
this medley, we want to encourage all South Africans to go to
https://partners.24.com/SponsorsofBrave/ to nominate their heroic healthcare
professionals in their community.”
To view The Ultimate South African Song
Medley video, click here: https://youtu.be/YFFZaFbKF5o
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