Well, it's Monday afternoon in Pilanesburg game preserve, and, having seen everything from lions to antelopes to zebras and giraffes, I'm a bit overwhelmed!! BUT, the big story is what happened over the weekend in our Saturday concert and Sunday morning service. Reminiscent of the kind of rock-star reception that we had in Brazil, Saturday evening's concert in Kwa Thema Methodist Church was electrifying. Kwa Thema is a township just outside Joburg. To reach the church, one passes by shanty towns and the inivitable smoke-that's-so-thick-you-could-cut-it-with-a-knife. We were hosted by the church and the Chamber Choir of South Africa, a new choir, having been formed in November 2006. Now, bear in mind that our merry band had spent the day in Soweto, visiting the Apartheid Museum, Wandie's (just down the street from Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu's childhood homes), and Pam's creche (in the heart of a total poverty zone known as Kliptown)... so, emotions were running mighty high.

Our concert had been slated to start at 6 p.m. but, this being Africa, started about 30 minutes late. The Chamber Choir began.... incredible, incredible folk music with native dance... and an audience, whose members spontaneously ulalated, danced in the aisles, or sang along. The choir sang about 25 minutes.... during which time I could hear the minds of those in the Senior Choir going "how on earth can we follow anything as extraordinary as this!" Well, they did... we opened with a hushed Thompson "Alleluia" which was met with screams from the audience. Really, there's not much that I can write that will adequately capture this evening... The audience ulalating over Jennifer's high Bb, EVERYONE rushing to their feet and screaming when Kevin and the choir sang "Soweto: June 1976".... the "Amen's" shouted at the word's "Zion's Walls." Really, this is the power of music.... we musicians understand this, but aren't so good at expressing it in writing!! Happily, Tim Starn captured much of the evening in an Mp3 recording. I predict a S. Africa CD!

After a very late night (concert ended at 9:00-ish and was followed by an impromptu reception), we sleep deprived travelers arose Sunday morning for an early run to St. Mary's Cathedral where we sang a high mass in (yes, you read it here) ZULU. WOW, the choir was just awesome. They clicked merrily away in the Sanctus.... we may just replace BMPC's Sanctus with this version. The service was really grand.... tons of music, from hymns WE know to Anglican Chant to the ZULU mass settings, to the congregation singing lustily in its responses. As the 90 minute service unfolded, the cathedral grew fuller and fuller! One highlight among many, was Nathan playing the final hymn (he went to town as only Nathan can), then dashing into his version of a Bach Sinfonia for the postlude.... he was one happy fella. Then, the choir gave a short concert to the full cathedral, with all in the congregation joining in a version of The Battle Hymn of the Republic that surely was heard by those in Novgorad, Russia (do you veterans remember that impromptu version in 1995?)

It was a sleepy and very happy group that boarded our band of buses to head into the mountains and our new home of two days, Sun City and its fabulous game preserve, Pilanesburg.

Photo Updates!

Hello Everyone!

I'll let Jeff and the choir members fill you in on exactly how incredible Saturday and Sunday were, but I wanted to post some photos for you to see what we've been up to.

Blogspot is limiting me to 5 photos at a time, so i'll have to post more at another time.



Jeff gives a radio interview with TiTi from Classic FM about the choir and its tour, specifically the concert in Kwa Thema, which would be the following night.



Typical home in Kliptown, the site of Pam's Creche. We were treated to a quick walk through the Shanty town, where were greeted by curious but welcoming faces, many of which belonged to children saying "shoot me!" ("take my photo") We'll not soon forget this adventure, as the images we saw will certainly stay with us forever




The children at Pam's Creche found my red hair intriguing, and immediately started playing hair-dresser!



Sidumo Nyemezele from St. Mary's Anglican Cathedral leads the group in their first singing of the tour- a workshop to work on Zulu, Xhosa, Tswana, etc...



The INCREDIBLY ENTHUSIASTIC crowd at Kwa Thema Methodist Church was overwhelming, not like any other audience I've ever seen. The soloist could barely be heard over there was so much rousing applause and Ululating!

More soon!!!

Amanda

Friday in South Africa

Well, Friday was just wonderful!!! We really experienced Joburg and saw that it is truly the most AFRICAN city in South Africa.... downtown Joburg is GRITTY, swarming with people, impromptu stands set up everywhere that sell everything from fruit to clothing to even a single cigarette. It's not a pretty place, but one must experience this to truly understand the country and Apartheid and its ending. The contrast of the dirt and grit of downtown Joburg with the King-of-Prussia-style mall where we were dropped off to find a bite for lunch was pretty extreme!My radio interview was fine... (thankfully not too long!) Reminded me of the experience Anne Mooney and I had with our 1992 radio interview in Dublin.... RACING to find the radio station, arriving JUST in time... that's exactly how this one unfolded!) The highlight of the day was unquestionably the workshop in St. Mary's Cathedral with Sidumo Jacobs, director of the choir there. Sidumo is an effervescent, warm and energetic young man who can communicate more with his eyes than most do with their entire bodies. As jet lagged as the choir was, they did everyone proud over the 2+ hour workshop in which they learned BY ROTE numerous pieces in Zulu.... a few brain dead by the end, for sure! But, Sidumo was thrilled, thrilled, thrilled.... so much so that he turned to me and said, "Jeffrey, I have an idea for ANOTHER song they might sing in ZULU." I probably gasped, then replied, "yes?" The choir was probably having other thoughts at that moment!! ANYWAY, he said, "I'd like them to learn 'Amen Siakadumisa"! I could only whoop and holler, since THAT was the very piece we had learned before the trip to use as a blessing at our communal meals. Everyone was thrilled! He taught us an additional verse in Sutu... not too difficult! Dinner was at a great place on Nelson Mandela Square... much glorious conversation and bountiful laughter, especially when the face painters decked Nathan, Jim Batt's and my face (and head) with ultra elaborate paintings.... pictures will follow!Love to all...

SA News

Philadelphia has cooled off a bit - thunder and lightening did the trick last evening! Down below mid 90's. First official "SA News" went out yesterday to a captive audience of 110! Not bad!
Stay safe and well -