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Botswana: UCCSA Choir Braces for Venice Festival

Mmegi/The Reporter (Gaborone)

25 July 2007
Posted to the web 26 July 2007

Maureen Odubeng
Gaborone

The United Congregational Church of Southern Africa's (UCCSA) Broadhurst Choir is to go on a voyage to Venice, Italy, for the fifth International Choral Music festival termed "Venezia in Musica" to be held on September 19-23.

The choir, which has an average membership of 60, is scheduled to leave on September 18 to go and join other international choirs expected to perform at the prestigious choral festival, which for the first time will coincide with the first International Choir Competition.

The UCCSA choir will however not participate in the competition. To raise funds for the trip to the Italian port city, the choir is to organise a number of events, including a concert billed for August 3 at Maitisong in Maruapula School.

The concert will feature UCCSA Trinity Choir, Corpus Christi Choir (Roman Catholic), Sedibeng Choral Choir, and Mogwana Traditional Dance troupe.

Choir executive committee representatives Prisca Mokgadi (chairperson), Teko Serope (secretary), and Omphemetse Chimbombi (conductor) told Showbiz yesterday that while the concert is a fund-raising event, it would also serve to showcase members' talent to Batswana. The show is scheduled to begin at 19:30.The choir is also expected to perform for President Festus Mogae at the State House on Sunday afternoon.

Meanwhile, the church choir has decided to add some extra colour to worshiping God - by infusing Setswana culture into gospel music. The group is collaborating with one of the popular traditional ensembles, Mogwana Traditional Group, to enhance their traditional gospel rhythms. Mogwana Traditional Group is expected to travel with the choir to Italy.

The trio stated that one could not "run away from Setswana culture, because Setswana culture is a very important aspect of every Motswana's life".

The choir, under the care of Moruti Ntsane Moriana, says that while the group has diversified the singing, its "main stronghold is singing UCCSA hymns and internally composed songs influenced by Setswana culture". The choir sings in different Botswana languages and accommodates all cultures and dances.

The choir is looking for sponsorship for the trip to Italy because "a good number of members are unemployed".The UCCSA Broadhurst choir was established in 1990 under the leadership of the late Timothy Mokgato. The choir's vision is "to be trendsetters in the creation and rendering of vibrant gospel music through professional choral singing by the year 2016".