Diepkloof’s Elderly Citizen’s Choir hits Proffesional Notes
Singing releases stress.
Some elderly citizens in Diepkloof say they got bored sitting at home and doing nothing either than watching TV programmes repeatedly.
They resorted to forming an elderly citizen’s choir in the Diepkloof’s Multi-Purpose Community Hall. Grace Chauke is one of the singers in the choir. She said she’s been singing in the choir for more than six years now and it has helped her conquer boredom and stress.
On July 6 Chauke said, “I love singing and being in the choir has been a wonderful experience and maybe what every other elderly citizen needs to relieve stress.”
The choir meets every Wednesday morning at 10 am to 11:30 am to practice Choral Music. Nhlanhla Yende said music has no age restriction. The choir studies and understands the music notes, because almost all the singers have been passionate about music from a tender age.
Yende says, “I started attending choir practices with my mother from when I was a toddler and have been in love with music my entire life.”
74 years old Martha Mudubadzi is one of the founders of the choir. She says when the choir started they were only eight, now they are more than 20 and even get booked for local performances.
Mudubadzi said, “I grew up in a singing family, I started singing church hymns from when I was six with my grandmother and family.”
In 2012 the choir was awarded its first trophy and has won three more trophies.
75 years old Koos Nong has been with the choir since its inception and says singing delights him and keeps him healthier because he uses singing to release stress.
Jonathan Moagi is the chairperson of the choir. He said, “My love for music makes me feel uneasy whenever I skip the choir meetings, the environment is soothing plus we professionally read the music notes and that keeps us sharp.”
Moagi said any elderly citizen from Diepkloof is welcomed to join the choir and any they do not charge people for their performances, but they do accept donations.
Paul Kgamedi is the conductor of the choir; he said he is satisfied with the efforts of the elderly citizens and their commitment.
Kgamedi said, “Our singers are organised and punctual. We don’t have people who stay absent for no reason. We all come here to relieve ourselves from stress, but as a result, we have participated on many occasions including in the Multi-purpose centre. ”
Kgamedi said, “Singing makes a dull heart fonder.”
