Pro Carmine on tour
Grahamstown-based a capella group, the Pro Carmine Choir, will later this month tour the Eastern Cape Midlands, performing in Bedford and Cradock on Saturday 24 October and Somerset East on Sunday 25 October.
The 20-strong outfit will present ‘ From Henry VIII to Gershwin' – a varied programme, beginning with music of the 1500s by the likes of John Dowland, Hans-Leo Hassler and, indeed, Henry VIII and moving on through Mozart ( Ave verum) and traditional spirituals ( My Lord, what a morning) right up to George and Ira Gershwin ( I got rhythm), Cole Porter ( Let’s do it) and Ben E King ( Stand by me).
This year is also the 70th birthday of the British composer, arranger and founder of the Cambridge Singers, John Rutter, and the choir is doing two works by him – his arrangement of the traditional Dashing away with the smoothing iron and The banquet fugue.
Choir master, Peter Breetzke – one of the choir’s founding members – says a concert tour has become an annual event which, in the past, has included Hogsback and Nieu Bethesda.
“We try and add to our repertoire every year and, of course, enjoy singing in Grahamstown.
But it’s always a good experience to travel and sing to different audiences with different musical tastes,” he says.
The choir was started in 1979 by Dorothy Hart, a music teacher at VG.
With one break of about a year, it has been going strong ever since.
Breetzke adds, “We’re lucky this time round to be singing in three of the Eastern Cape’s most beautiful churches.” Dates and times: 24 October Bedford (as part of the Bedford Garden Festival – the country market will be taking place in the grounds and church hall on that day) – 11am at St Andrew’s Church, Jan van Riebeeck Street.
Cradock - 7pm at St Peter’s Anglican Church, Bree Street. 25 October Somerset East – 11 for 11.30am (after the morning service), NG Kerk, Nojoli Street.
Entry is free but, in each venue, there will be a collection for a local charity.
Call Jayne Morgan – 083 450 7060 or Sheila Hicks at 083 442 3322 for more information.