Music legend presents master class to young hopefuls
Music legend Caiphus Semenya shared his wisdom and experience with aspiring musicians at the CMDA on Saturday.
Aspiring musicians had the chance to learn from world-famous performer, musical director and composer Caiphus Semenya, when he visited the town to present a master class at the Casterbridge Music Development Academy (CMDA) on Saturday. The barn was packed with young children and teens from the CMDA’s various hubs, eager to improve their skills.
The class was part of the Department of Arts and Culture’s countrywide Living Legends Legacy, which aimed at getting legends in the arts to engage with the youth and share their skills, knowledge and experience.
Although lauded as a legend, the 76-year-old Semenya laughingly said that he didn’t think of himself that way. Sitting at a desk on stage, he told the packed theatre that he grew up hearing music when the older people were telling stories and were influenced by the many singing groups that were formed in the 50’s in Gauteng.
He was then recruited by the King Kon stage musical group, who performed overseas and helped instil discipline in the young musician.
After a performance by one of the bands, he advised the assembled musicians to start off with a ballad when performing, not just a feel-good, loud or energetic song.
“When you get a new audience you have to conquer them. The first thing you need to do is not to excite, but to go deep into their hearts. Ballads are critical in music as it makes the audience listen to the words, not just the music,” he explained. “Make sure the audience understands every word you sing and get the right combination of people to help you write.”
He also told them that singers had the responsibility to articulate the issues their community are facing and that that was what kept their music relevant.
Semenya was very critical of bands that look past their roots and local music to emulate overseas artists. “Don’t try to be someone else. Take inspiration from other homegrown artists but be original, find that ‘you’. To be original is the most difficult thing in the world and to be the cockiest the easiest.”
Semenya has worked with famous artists such as his wife, vocalist Letta Mbulu, Hugh Masekela and Miriam Makeba. He also lived in Los Angeles for a time and worked with jazz and pop artists, which led to an ongoing collaboration with Quincy Jones. He also provided African compositions for movie scores for films such as The Colour Purple and The Lion King. His work for The Colour Purple also earned him an Oscar nomination.
Browse through more pictures of the speakers and performers:
