e’Bosch Schools Choir Festival 2023 kicks off with masterclass for music teachers
Preparations for the e’Bosch Schools Choir Festival 2023 set off for a good start this month with a masterclass for school music teachers in the Fismer Hall at the University of Stellenbosch’s Endler Music Conservatorium.
The masterclass presented by John Frans e’Bosch School Choir Festival Director was attended by some 30 music teachers and choir leaders from Stellenbosch and Franschhoek schools. Phil Robinson choir leader of the South African Youth Choir led the workshop teaching the choir leaders the mechanics of working with choirs such as warm-up routines, approaches to conducting and how to choose repertoires.
“My mission with the e’Bosch School Choir festival this year would be to continue inspiring a renewed affection for choral music and singing,” says John Frans a prolific contributor to the development of musical talent in local communities.
“I’m also specially delighted to announce that the South African Youth Choir under Phil Robinson will be part of our programme with the primary school choirs’ performance on 28 September,” says John.
John who spent a significant part of his youth honing his craft as a pianist, organist and conductor is truly a veteran in the world of choral music and has served the music well in a variety of capacities. His commitment to creating opportunities for communities to engage in choral music led to the formation of the St. Luke’s Chorale choir in 2013.
He has produced, conducted and curated several concerts over a period of 52 years with notable performances of excerpts from, Handel’s Messiah, Fauré Requiem, and Bach’s Christ Lag in Todes, Baden with an orchestra. He has also produced live jazz programmes featuring the highly-revered Tony Schilder and Zayn Adams.
The e’Bosch Schools Choir Festival, presented in 2012 for the first time, has grown into one of the flagship events of the e’Bosch Heritage Project. Every year, up to 1 000 learners from some 30 secondary and primary schools in the Stellenbosch and Franschhoek districts get together in a festival of song to celebrate their cultural diversity and strengthen social cohesion.
The e’Bosch School Choir Festival for secondary schools will be presented 19:00 on Friday, September 1, at the Stellenbosch High School and the primary school event will take place on 28 September at the Coetzenburg Sports Complex. Tickets at R50 a head are available at the door.
