POLOKWANE – “Vocal and conducting skills are just a gift from God, they just came naturally. I did not have to study for it. I am now busy with my music exams so that I will have the right documentation for a music college in Cape Town or Johannesburg, I have my fingers crossed,” he shared.
Growing up in Seshego, Richard started his academic career at Dorothy Langa Primary School and proceeded to Masedibu Secondary School, completing his matric in 2005.
Having always had a love for music and conducting, he decided to pursue this dream by assuming a position at the Seshego Capricorn Campus Choir from 2011 until 2015. “I worked with a church choir of the Apostolic Faith Mission from Zimbabwe which is based in Johannesburg,” he added.
He has among others, conducted the Limpopo South African National Defence Force (SANDF) choir during their music competitions held in Pretoria in 2017, was selected as the best conductor in the TVET competition held in the Venda Town Hall in 2015 and was also appointed as an adjudicator in the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture Mapungubwe Festival in 2016. He is currently coaching the 12 Apostle Church Choir.
His advice to singers or choir members is for them to wholly appreciate the gift that every conductor has and to be committed, cultivate the passion needed and to always remember to love what they do in order for them to grow.
To stay in the loop on what he is now up to, follow him on Facebook as Maestro Richard or contact him via e-mail on maestrorichard68@gmail.com.
