Maikano Serenaders to host NWU counterparts
Maureen Odubeng | Wednesday April 9, 2014 11:08
The concert, billed for May 3, 2014 at Maitisong in Maruapula School, as the group manager Tharyan Visagie said, will not fall short of spectacular.
Visagie said the choir, which has been in existence for eight years, is committed to growing choral music and upgrading to international standards.
Visagie explained that NWU Serenaders having a good reputation lead to the decision by his choir to foster collaboration with them.
“North-West Serenaders is one of the strongest and most respected choirs in South Africa,” he said. He said they believe they can learn a lot from the choir, considering that it has reached the highest ranking in choral music. In 2013, NWU Serenaders, clinched third place in the large category of the Old Mutual National Festival finals. The choir festival attracts competitors from South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland.
“The choir has migrated from standard to large category, a level, which Maikano Serenaders aspires to reach in the near future,” he said.
Prior to reaching the large category, NWU Serenaders had dominated the standard category at the Annual National Choir Federation competition sponsored by Old Mutual. They scooped first prize three times in a row, which automatically gave the choir a place in the large category.
He said their collaboration with the SA choir, includes conducting workshops for the development of choral music.
Visagie said Maikano Serenaders has been entering cross-boarder choral music competition for a few years now, and has so far managed to get positions two and three.
He added that the choir is working on migrating to the large category explaining that with dedication and hard work they can achieve that in two years.
The choir is working on its debut album, which will be released October this year.
Maikano Serenaders comprises mostly of university students with the working class making up about 10 percent of the choir.