Some of Southern Africa’s most-celebrated and internationally-renowned choirs will come together for the 2014 Melting Pot Ekurhuleni National Choral Music Competition.
The event takes place at Carnival City on October 18 and 19 and choirs will vie for the biggest choral music title in the country and a grand prize of R500 000.
The competition, which pays tribute to the late Oliver Tambo who was a choral music composer of note, is a superlative treat for passionate choral classics lovers, with the cream-of-the crop of choral music and the acclaimed KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra performing.
The top ten competing choirs include Bagale Chorus NW, Zwelitsha Adult Choir EC, Heavenly Voices WC, Gauteng Choristers GP, Belcanto Voices FS, SA Singers KZN, Transnet Port Terminals EC, Kopano Chorus GP, African Chorus KZN and Thabong Serenade FS.
They will perform songs that were close to Tambo’s heart, and there will also be some unbelievable musical renditions, vocal and instrumental, by people with disabilities.
Joining these exceptional choirs for the festival are legendary performers Sibongile Khumalo, Mafikizolo, Solly Mahlangu, the Jeziel Brothers, Afro Tenors, Njabulo Madlala, Igrandi Tenori , the dance floor king Zakes Bantwini, and laugh till you drop queen Celeste Ntuli.
“It’s an experience you have to see to fully appreciate,” said Mavuso Msimang, CEO of The Oliver and Adelaide Tambo Foundation which has endorsed the festival.
The two-day music event is open to the public.
Carnival City’s entertainment manager, Jaco Saaiman urges choral fans not to miss it.
“Bringing together over ten world-class African choirs under one roof at the Big Top Arena for the first time, this music festival is touted to be one of the choice events on Gauteng’s 2014 cultural calendar.
“We are honoured to play host to the grand finals of this prestigious choral competition.
“Many of these choirs have performed and competed internationally and have been placed under the best in the world time and again.
“Now, the public can hear these exceptional choirs perform together,” he said.
The grand finals of the 2014 Melting Pot Ekurhuleni National Choral Music Competition will take place from 9am on both days the festival.
