Siyacula & Bloemhof Workshop

August 3rd… Marikje invited Scott to do a workshop with her choirs in Stellenbosch today. Siyacula and the Bloemhof Girls Choir (Marijke’s new high school choir) came together for the first time to share music with each other and to have an informal mini-concert for parents and friends after the workshop. Scott was super stoked for this event. And I was looking forward to being a part of it as well. Marijke seemed especially enthused about the collaboration of her choirs, because it had never happened before. She was so ecstatic and bubbly it was cute. Wow… I just love her energetic spirit and positivity.
Anyway, when we arrived at the school, we got to work straightaway. I led the group in stretches and then Scott took over with vocal warm-ups. Joel later demonstrated a Rajaton technique of playing with one’s voice – changing it from a brighter tone to a darker one. I think he called it the “NEOW” or some may know it as Soila’s “WHY” exercise. Everyone enjoyed that one ‘cause it was fun to make funny sounds and experiment with one’s voice.

At one point, the two choirs separated to work on different things. Siyacula went through their new piece with Scott, You Are the New Day, while Nathalie, Kaitlyn and I taught the Bloemhof girls Siyacula’s rendition of Singaba Yo. The girls caught on really quick and so we soon met up again with Siyacula again to work on Sweet Spirit together.

Later in the evening, parents and friends of the choristers and some of Marijke’s staff started to gather into the gymnasium in excitement for the show. Marijke set up the tone of the concert very nicely with a message of music sharing and appreciation. Then the show unfolded starting with a Singaba Yo procession. Each choir then took turns to perform two pieces of their own and then came together to close off the show with Sweet Spirit.

The workshop went really well. The choirs sounded great and exuded a lot of positive energy. Everyone seemed to enjoy each other’s company. According to Marijke, this was the first time such an event was arranged here – the idea of sharing music and collaborating with other people. Also it was the first time the choirs had an informal concert just to show family and friends what they’ve been up to. Marijke is making wonderful progress with both choirs and will continue going strong. I see a lot of potential for both groups. Kudos to everyone!