E Cape conductors learn from the best

EASTERN Cape choir conductors got to learn from some of the best at the Melting Pot International Orchestra Conducting Masterclass held recently.

The classes were held at the Eastern Cape Audio Visual Centre in East London last weekend as a build-up to the Melting Pot Arts Festival taking place next month.

For the past four years, the festival which celebrates the life and times of OR Tambo, has taken place in Johannesburg and now for the first time, it will be coming to the Eastern Cape.

Melting Pot Arts Gcisa Mdlulwa said:

“Usually we have the workshops in the Eastern Cape and the final event in Johannesburg. Now, we will be doing everything here. We will be in Bizana for the composers’ workshop later this month, as well as for the festival next month.”

The international conductors who imparted their knowledge to Eastern Cape choir conductors, included UK maestro Jeremy Silver, who is active in youth development and also serve on the artistic team of the National Opera Studio in London.

Vetta Wise, who also hails from the UK, joined Silver. Wise is well known on the international choral music scene.

Participants enjoyed an intensive training session by these international conductors.

Mdlulwa said the Festival classes CEO were about developing skills and striving to perfect the art.

“South Africa produces worldclass opera and choral singers who are international competition winners. Therefore we are bridging the gap between the two by creating world-class conductors who will meet international standards,” she said.

Mdlulwa said the classes provided an opportunity for music and choir conductors to develop conducting strategies and techniques to enhance conducting, establish a focused sound, as well as improve choral energy.

Mdlulwa said they would be hosting a composers’ workshop in Bizana later this month.

“The workshop, which is open to composers from all over the country, is also a build-up to the festival. We will also have a special composer from Zambia who will be imparting knowledge to the composers.”

According to Mdlulwa, Tambo recognised the critical role of culture in the struggle liberation and encouraged the formation of cultural groups in exile camps where freedom fighters lived.

“I remember seeing a video of him conducting an orchestra and I was blown away. The festival, which is endorsed by the Oliver and Adelaide Tambo Foundation, is about celebrating his life,” she said.

The Oliver and Adelaide Tambo Foundation’s Mavuso Msimang said: “Oliver Tambo loved classical and choral music and was himself an accomplished choirmaster.” —