The Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University choir had the audience members at the Feather Market Hall in Port Elizabeth on their feet during the Eastern Cape elimination round, and are favourites to reach the finals of Varsity Sing, sponsored by FNB. But it’s not only South Africa that can’t get enough of this choir. They are also in demand around the world.
In both 2012 and 2014, the choir was invited to represent Africa at the China International Choral Festival (CICF) in Beijing. The choir performed in the People’s Great Hall in front of an audience of 14,000. This year, NMMU choir conductor, Junita Lambrecht-Van Dijk, was a judge at the competition.
“To actually sit in the crowd of 14 000 is such an experience, and I realised what an honour it was to be invited to perform as a guest choir,” said Lambrecht-Van Dijk. “The Chinese realised that one cannot only be trained in technology and science, but that spiritual welfare is as important. They, therefore chose choral singing as the cultural medium, and are working towards having the entire country singing.”
The NMMU Choir has also been invited to perform at a series of concerts in the United States of America and Canada in November this year. “The majority of the tour has been sponsored, but we are still seeking funding towards our flights,” Lambrecht-Van Dijk said.
NMMU advanced to the Varsity Sing semi-finals along with Rhodes University, and will perform with Stellenbosch and University of the Western Cape in the first semi-final.
Tickets to the semi-final on 14 September at the Hugo Lambrecht Music Centre in Parow, Cape Town, are now available. They can be purchased through the Varsity Sports app at just R20 per ticket.
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