The stage is set for Choral Festival
South Africa’s top 10 choirs are ready to battle it out for the number one spot at the inaugural Ekurhuleni Melting Pot National Choral Festival, to be held at Carnival City, on Saturday.
The festival is being held as a tribute to late struggle stalwart Oliver Reginald Tambo, and is expected to be a powerful showdown of the country’s most majestic voices for the ultimate cash prize of R250 000.
The month of October is dedicated to celebrating the life and legacy of O R Tambo in the City of Ekurhuleni and the chorale competition will not only add flare to the month-long celebrations, but pay homage to the leader, who was also an accomplished choir master who enjoyed chorale and classical music.
The Big Top Arena at Carnival City will provide the perfect setting for a tantalising feast of music.
Popular musos such as Afro Tenors, Zakes Bantwini and Siphokazi are also in the line-up to entertain audiences, as well as local Ekurhuleni choirs Cenastra Male Choir, Tembisa High School Choir, Injula Yomculo Choir and Fumana High School Choir.
A school choir from Tambo’s birthplace, the Mbizana Village School Choir, will also come from the Eastern Cape to thrill choral music lovers.
They will perform songs that were close to Tambo’s heart.
There will be some sensational musical renditions, vocal and instrumental, by persons with disabilities.
On the day of the festival the audience will be given a chance to vote for their favourite choir.
The choir with the most votes will win the O R Tambo People’s Choice Award.
The 10 choirs participating the Ekurhuleni Melting Pot Chorale Festival are:
* Kopano Chorus: Gauteng
* Voices of the Nation: Gauteng
* Thabong Serenade: Free State
* Gauteng Choristers: Gauteng
* Clermont Community Choir: Kwazulu-Natal
* Heavenly Voices: Western Cape
* Belcanto Voices: Free State
* African Chorus: Kwazulu-Natal
* SA Singers: Kwazulu-Natal
* Transnet Port Terminal Choir: Eastern Cape
