“The choir has a lovely vibe and everyone very much wants to be here!” said Karin Spottiswoode, the Public Relations Officer for the Mozart Choir.
The Mozart Choir was formed in November 2015 and is an amalgamation of the ProCantare Choir and the Johannesburg German Choir. “We are very fortunate to have two accomplished musicians to lead our choir – our musical director C-J de Graaff and accompanist, Daniela Pretorius,” said the choir’s Public Relations Officer, Karin Spottiswoode.
The choir’s first combined performance took place on 13 February last year in the Basement Theatre, Roodepoort and was named The Magic Whistle. This concert had a Valentine’s theme and included excerpts from the opera, Carmen, some other romantic musical works and some Mozart too. “All three performances were sold out,” said Karin.
The next concert was performed in November 2016 at the same venue and was named To life. “It contained music from Fiddler on the Roof, Sweet Charity and more, all aiming at celebrating various aspects of life. This performance was accompanied by a small instrumental ensemble and was – once again – sold out,” she said.
The choir currently consists of 45 to 50 members, but they would love to have more singers, as they are gearing up for their big concerts that will take place in September. “We are rehearsing for the Mozart Mass in C, Beethoven’s Choral Fantasia in C-minor, Vivaldi’s Gloria in D and Faue’s Cantique de Jean Racine. These pieces will be performed at various venues in preparation for our big concert, where we will be singing with a small orchestra as well as professional soloists. This year’s performance will be more classical, but no less fun! The venue for the big concert is yet to be confirmed,” an excited Karin said.
The need for singers of all voices, particularly tenors, is great, and the choir members would like to invite interested singers to join them. “You do not need any sight-reading experience to join, just willingness and a good spirit. You also do not need to worry about joining for life; all we ask is that you sing with us for the concert. After that, you can decide if you would like to stay and sing with us for longer. We call it Project Participation,” said C-J de Graaff, the musical director.
The choir rehearses every Monday night at St. Catherine’s Convent, on the corner of The Highway and 9th Street, Florida from 7pm–9pm. Safe parking is available inside the school yard. “We might have the odd rehearsal on another night during the week, but that will be communicated ahead of time,” said C-J.
If you are keen to sing in the choir, you can contact eithr Karin Spottiswoode on 072 595 6991/ 011 674 2980 or Helena Doulgeris on 071 300 2988.
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