Mothopo Wa Mmino choir to enhance choral talents in Pretoria
The 29-year-old started with music as early as 2005 when he was 14.
The Mothopo Wa Mmino choral choir aims to lay a foundation for all young choral musicians in Pretoria.
Choir conductor, Phomolo Sebola, dreamed of becoming a choral musician from a young age.
The 29-year-old started with music as early as 2005 when he was 14.
Mothopo was formed in April last year April and consists of over 25 choristers.
The conductor studied choral music on the Arts campus of the Tshwane University of Technology.
“I want to bring change not only in terms of singing but discipline-wise and change how people think about choral music.
“Because right now in South Africa, they don’t take musicians seriously, especially the choral fraternity,” he said.
The choir also wants to focus on making money so that people can earn a living out of choral music.
That can also create employment, as there are many arts graduates who are unemployed, “so we want to give them this opportunity”.
Sebola said he was planning to form a music academy that included drama and dance in the next five years.
Mothopo held their second concert in Pretoria at the Ditsong National Museum of Cultural History hall on April 2.
“To organise such events and preparatory events like practices, we need some support in terms of finance,” management team member, Thato Edgar Mohlala, said.
“At the moment we are trying to put things together but it is steep at some point,” he said.
Since February, they had spent a lot of money preparing for the concert.
If they can get exposure in terms of people who are willing to sponsor them, it would be a great achievement.
“Currently we are just making plans to gather. Some people are from Limpopo and North West, so they have to come to Pretoria on weekends to practice,” he said.
Mohlala advised youngsters that it was possible to become a musician if they had the passion.
“It is possible to make a living out of it provided you get a proper platform.”
Mohlala said for young choral musicians to succeed, they should be inspired by somebody.
“Most youngsters in the rural areas just want to be teachers and engineers because those are the people they see.
“If they see that they can make a living out of music, this will become an inspiration,” he said.
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