KTM choir to celebrate its icons at Local Composers Show
Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Monday October 27, 2014 16:39
Speaking to the press recently, the choir’s manager, Hope Moumakwa, said the first part of the show will be dedicated to its founder, Kgalemang Tumediso Motsete, and director and composer, Gomolemo Motswaledi.
According to Moumakwa, the two legends contributed immensely on the growth of choral music in Botswana. He said the choir was named after seasoned musician, composer, scholar, educationist, theologian and politician, Motsete who wrote the Botswana national anthem, Fatshe Leno La Rona.
“LCS started in 2011 when we were able to attract a number of aspiring musicians countrywide.
As this show’s main objective is to groom talent and knowledge in music, we intend to inspire more Batswana to partake in orchestra music,” he added.
He said they started off with 14 local participants in 2014, but Batswana have shown growing interest in the music with numbers growing every year.
He said they have 45 members who will perform this year.
However, unlike in previous years, the show is open to products of KTM choir, said Moumakwa.
“This choir has contributed tremendously to our local orchestra music. People who were members of this choir make many choral and orchestra choirs in this country. Many choral conductors in this country are former or current members of KTM choir,” he said.
However, he pointed out that even though they intend to promote ordinary Batswana, it became impossible, as there were less talented people in the field.
“We could only use people from South Africa (SA) as most of the times we were using people from the disciplinary force as they had experience and were trained to play in the orchestra.
We decided to stop using them and use people from SA instead as those from the disciplinary forces had other obligations and could cancel on us,” he added.
He, however, pointed out that due to the competition the situation got better as many Batswana had shown great interest and improvement in the music.
He added that KTM choir would continue hosting the show in remembrance of its icons following Motswaledi’s goal in promoting choral or orchestra in Botswana and unearthing song writing talent.
For her part, Liberty Life Head of Business Development which sponsors KTM , Kgomotso Disele urged the public to support the choir.
She said one of their institution’s goals is to social responsibility where they focused on supporting the arts.
She pointed out that after realising that many companies neglect arts and culture, they decided to align themselves with KTM choir.
She said that realising KTM choir’s talent, they have decided to inject P200,000 this year, while last year they sponsored the choir with P120,000 for its needs.
“We do not control the choir or tell its members what to buy or do for the choir, but offer it financial assistance so that the choir’s needs could be met,” she added.
The event will start at 4pm and the entrance fee is P200 per person.