The University of Johannesburg (UJ) Choir has dedicated itself to creating beautiful harmonies and consistently exploring new ways of making music. Whilst established in 2005 under the banner of the newly formed UJ, the Choir’s roots go as far back as the 60’s, embedded in the rich cultural heritage of our legacy institution Rand Afrikaans University (RAU.) Last year’s decade celebrations; saw the creation of the newly formed UJ Alumni Choir.
UJ Arts & Culture brings together for the second consecutive year, past and present choristers as they collaborate in the UJ Choir & Alumni Celebration Concert 2016. This shared musical experience takes audiences and choristers on a journey down memory lane, as it celebrates another year of spectacular cross-cultural music and accomplishments.
Alumni chorister Johan Pretorius highlights the Choir’s unique approach to transformation. He concedes that “being a member of the UJ Alumni Choir is a great honour. Not only do we have the opportunity to sing under the leadership of first-class choirmaster Renette Bouwer, but as alumni choristers we are able to interact with current UJ Students and their current challenges”.
The UJ Choir & Alumni Celebration Concert 2016 is set to have a riveting program, which includes a selection of Western and African repertoire (as seen on the 2016 Grahamstown National Arts Festival main stage) and The Seraphic Sunrise Mass by Norwegian-born composer and pianist, Ola Gjeilo, features the Alumni Choir and is accompanied by a string orchestra.
According to Renette Bouwer, “Varsity Sing audiences from all over the country fell in love with the UJ Choir over the past few weeks. The Celebration Concert is an opportunity for our newly found audiences to come and experience the magic of these young singers, joined by a vibrant chorus of Alumni singers.’’
The UJ Choir Alumni Celebration Concert 2016 takes place on Friday 21st October 2016, 19:00 for 19:30pm at the Linder Auditorium. Tickets available at Computicket and UJ Arts Centre offices, Kingsway Campus. For more information, contact choir@uj.ac.za or call 011 559 4674/ 3058.
Notes to Editors
UJ Arts & Culture, a division of the Faculty of Art, Design & Architecture (FADA) at the University of Johannesburg, produces and presents world-class student and professional arts programmes aligned to the UJ vision of an international university of choice, anchored in Africa, dynamically shaping the future. A robust range of arts platforms are offered on all four UJ campuses for students, staff, alumni and the general public to experience and engage with emerging and established Pan-African and international artists drawn from the full spectrum of the arts.
In addition to UJ Arts & Culture, FADA (www.uj.ac.za/fada) offers programmes in eight creative disciplines in art, design and architecture, as well as being home to the NRF SARChI Chair in South African Art and Visual Culture, and the Visual Identities in Art & Design Research Centre. The Faculty has a strong focus on sustainability and relevance, and engages actively with the dynamism, creativity and diversity of Johannesburg in imagining new approaches to art and design education. Equipped with state-of-the art, custom-built facilities, the Faculty is staffed by highly regarded academics, architects, artists and designers.
For regular updates on the UJ Arts Centre follow @UJArtsCentre on Twitter or visit www.uj.ac.za/arts.
