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Namibia: Namibia to Co-Host World Youth Choir Session

New Era (Windhoek)

13 July 2007
Posted to the web 13 July 2007

Lydia Auala

This year, for the first time ever, Namibia has been accepted as co-host to the World Youth Choir Summer Session 2007 along with South Africa.

It is the first time that the summer session is being brought to African soil. Nedbank Singers will be the host choir under the auspices of Nedbank Namibia.

In 1989, under the auspices of the International Centre for Choral Music (ICCM) and Jeunesses Musicales International (JMI), the World Youth Choir was created. Its aim? To create one of the most interesting musical and inter-cultural experiences offered to young musicians all over the world.

Each summer, the WYC, comprising half new and half re-invited singers, meets in a different country for three and a half weeks for intense rehearsals.

At the conclusion of these rehearsals, the choir then tours within the host country and neighbouring countries, presenting concerts. This responsibility is given to an international committee of eminent specialists appointed by the IFCM, JMI and Europa Cantat, in close collaboration with the host committee.

Two concert programmes are usually prepared during the weeks of rehearsals: a major choral work of oratorio proportions and an a capella programme. To conduct these programmes, the WYC engages the most renowned choral conductors. Since its inception in 1989, the choir has been conducted by people like Michael Brewer from (GB), Eric Ericson (Sweden), Maria Guinand (Venezuela), Tonu Kaljuste (Estonia), and many more. The a capella section represents mostly repertoire devoted to music of our century, with a subtle proportion of lesser known pieces combined with masterworks.

The remaining half focuses more on lighter music which is easier in its approach but without compromise to quality.

Beyond the artistic project, which in itself is a major achievement, the WYC represents a unique experiment in personal relationships for its members.

Regardless of political or cultural differences, 80 young people with a common attraction to music and love for singing - share one month of life together, thereby allowing for work, play, conversation and debate. From this community of singers come friendships that provide a unity within the group that is felt by every audience attending its concerts. Without speeches or banners, the WYC presents its message of music, and by its presence, its message of International peace and vitality itself. Hence, UNESCO has awarded them with the title of Ambassadors of Peace.

The Young Singers of Namiba (YSONA) was established in June 2003 by a group of ex-Namibian National Youth Choir (NNYC) members after the retirement of longstanding conductor, Ernst van Biljon, from the College of the Arts. The aim of YSONA was always to give every talented Namibian youth the opportunity to develop it and plough back into the community what they have gained in vocal and choral training. Because of their passion for singing, these ex-members started their own ensemble to keep the spirit and love for music alive. Many of the choir members have had ample training from Mr. van Biljon and have developed into choral conductors, training choirs in their own communities.

Some of the local productions that the members have initiated and performed in include:

- Spirits of the Kuiseb by William Hofmeyer as a fund-raiser for the Desert Research Foundation. (2001);

- The Hot Mikado directed by Sandy Rudd (2004);

- The Lion's Roar directed by Sandy Rudd (2006).

Many - if not all - the members have toured extensively abroad over the past few years, participating in various International festivals, symposiums and competitions and, in so doing, have sung Namibia onto the map. These tours include:

- The International Society for Music Education (ISME) Conference, Pretoria, South Africa: 1998;

- Vivace International Festival, Budapest, Hungary: 2000;

- World EXPO, Hanover, Germany: 2000;

- 6th World Choral Symposium, Minnesota, USA;

- 1st Prize winners at UNISA International Voice Competition, Pretoria, SA: 2005.

On an International level, choir members, Miriam George and Patrick Klaaste, were selected to sing in the World Youth Choir in 2000 and were re-invited in 2001. Lydia Auala was then selected in 2003 and re-invited in 2004. Rolf Hansen and Ernestine Haragaes were chosen by the Australian Rugby Union to represent Namibia as members of the Rugby World Cup Choir and Official Namibian National Anthem Performers for the Rugby World Cup 2003 in Australia and Tasmania.

They still continue to wow audiences with their fusion of music and have since become the envy of many seeing a group of 24 singers displaying Nedbank's Logo on their backs exclaiming that they are the best when it comes to making things happen because they are supported by the best.

Performances will take place at the St. Mary's Cathedral in Windhoek on August 2 and 3. Tickets cost N$100, available from Medisun Pharmacy, Academia SS, St. Pauls and Delta Secondary School.