When you attend a music concert, there are a few rules you are expected to abide by.
When you attend a music concert, there are a few rules you are expected to abide by.
Firstly, you may not sing along (it’s not a rock concert, you know). Secondly, you may not tap your foot (only the musicians can and even that, at times, is considered unprofessional). Thirdly, you may not laugh – ever (you don’t want to disturb the musicians, do you?) It is rather strange, then, that singing, tapping feet and laughing filled the late afternoon air at the International Library of African Music’s (Ilam) end of term concert on Friday.
"If you know the words," shouted Ilam director Prof Diane Thram, "sing along." The audience didn’t need more encouragement than that. They laughed enthusiastically at Andrew Tracey’s account of a crocodile who got drunk on beer. They danced to the Ilam marimba band’s performance of well-known South African song Mbombela. They ululated excitedly during the Sakhuluntu Choir’s début performance. And yes, they sang – jubilantly.
The concert wasn’t a first for the audience. Several American exchange students performed, somewhat awkwardly, with their Enthomusicology 102 classmates. Dressed in brightly coloured traditional outfits, the students performed on a Nigerian instrument called the shantu, which is a long, hollow, decorated calabash with openings at both ends. The instrument is from northern Nigeria and is traditionally played by women.
"It was a little intimidating performing in front of people who know more about this than we do," said exchange student Emily Sirois. "But it was fun," added Katie Seidel. "The audience got into it the second time we performed."
Guest artist Dr Moya Malamusi from Malawi impressed the audience with his performance on the mouth bow.
Usually played by men, the musician uses his mouth as a resonator and his mouth cavity as a way to create different sounds and notes. An ethnomusicologist and anthropologist, Malamusi is in Grahamstown training in sound digitalising at Ilam.
The stars of the show were undoubtedly the 25 young singers of the Sakhuluntu Choir who, despite their age and stature, gave one helluva performance. Based in Extension 9, the Sakhuluntu Cultural Group is an informal community organisation that aims to provide the youth of the area an opportunity to keep off the streets by teaching them skills in dance, drama and song. The choir is a recent addition to the group and they’ve only been singing together for a month. All their songs and dance moves have been written and choreographed by local sisters Nomphelo and Lerato Ndayi.
When you go to a Ilam music concert, there are no rules to abide by. Actually, maybe there’s just one – have fun.
