In a well-received performance past and present members of the Rhodes Chamber Choir raised R3 530 for charity in a 60th anniversary concert on Saturday 24 August.
In a well-received performance past and present members of the Rhodes Chamber Choir raised R3 530 for charity in a 60th anniversary concert on Saturday 24 August.
Led by present and past conductors, Peter Breetzke and Dr Christopher Cockburn respectively, the Chapel of St Mary and all the Angels on Rhodes University campus was filled with beautiful song. Over 30 former members were invited to perform with the current choir, and considering they only had two rehearsals the day before, things went "exceptionally well" Breetzke said.
The performance repertoire included a range of pieces from Nicolas Gombert’s powerful 'Ave Maria', to a Georg Gruber arrangement of 'Sweet Nightingale' – a set piece sung by every choir member since 1953. The choir’s 'African Medley' and classical pieces showed range and depth, with good solo performances.
A number of people who have supported the choir for years received recognition at the concert.
Founder member and active supporter of the choir Diane Attwood was awarded honorary membership for extraordinary service. Others who received this title were former conductors Cockburn and Philip Burnett, former Head of Rhodes Music Prof Rupert Mayr, Beccy Stones (who is very active in maintaining links between former choir members) and Charles Antrobus who holds the distinction of being a member for the longest period.
Original choir member, Dr John Stonier, also attended last weekend's event. One person singing the choir's praises was chorister Gareth Grant. “Being part of the Rhodes University Chamber Choir has by far been the best and most rewarding [extra-curricular activity],” he said. “Participating in choral music is so special because you have a number of people with totally different voices coming together to make one sound that is unique to that choir. And as an individual you are just a part of that unique sound.”
Breetzke said they were inspired by Cockburn's talents, and lauded him as “one of the best choir directors in the country.”
Cockburn has taught at the Rhodes Department of Music and Musicology and conducted the Chamber Choir in the 1980s. “He is a brilliant organist and pianist, with the most remarkable skills in extemporisation. He is presently lecturing at the University of KwaZulu-Natal,” Breetzke said.
Cockburn arranged three songs that were sung during the performance.
The choir was founded in 1953 by Dr George Gruber and has been a constant source of delight for lovers of coral music. The R3 530 raised at the 60th anniversary concert went to the Friends of Fort England’s The Corner House project. This is a halfway house for mentally ill people who are still undergoing rehabilitation before going to live independently in the community.
