THE hall at Graeme College was filled with the voices of nine choirs as Graeme College, DSG, Hoërskool PJ
Olivier, Kingswood College, Mary Waters, TEM Mrwetyana, Nombulelo, St Andrew’s College and Victoria Girls’ High came together for their first joint rehearsal of Carmina Burana with the Rhodes University
Orchestra.
THE hall at Graeme College was filled with the voices of nine choirs as Graeme College, DSG, Hoërskool PJ
Olivier, Kingswood College, Mary Waters, TEM Mrwetyana, Nombulelo, St Andrew’s College and Victoria Girls’ High came together for their first joint rehearsal of Carmina Burana with the Rhodes University
Orchestra.
Following last year’s successful performance with cellist Francois le Roux, better known as the HA!Man, the schools have reunited for two performances at the 1820 Settlers Monument in May.
Priscilla Glover, the head of Music at Graeme College has been co-ordinating choir rehearsals for several weeks, although this was the first time she has seen the 300 scholars perform together.
“The work is energetic! Dramatic! Perfect for a young choir,” she said as she and conductor Juan Muñoz exchanged notes.
Glover referred to Carl Orff, the composer, as one of “the world’s greatest music educators – a guru for music teachers the world over.”
Glover says Orff composed Carmina Burana in the 30s with verses taken from a set of 12th and 13th century poems. The work was first performed just prior to the start of World War Two.
“It’s a set of poems written by freethinkers, de-frocked priests, philosophers and students,” she explains. “It’s broadly about the cycle of life, with a bit of wine, women and song thrown in.”
There will be only two performances of Carmina Burana taking place on 13 and 14 May, featuring soloists Sibu Mkize and Liesl de Jager as well as local choristers and the East Cape Youth Choir.
Tickets are available at the door or can be pre-booked at the schools. Tickets cost R60 (adults) and R25 for children, scholars, students and pensioners.
