Sounds of Celebration III – A stellar cross cultural music collaboration
Education Africa and Sydenham Shul are thrilled to present ‘Sounds of Celebration III’. This unique event features musical performances by over 150 children and a guest appearance by Jewish singing sensation Choni G. The concert is a joyous and uplifting tribute to social cohesion, performed by talented young artists and representing a wide spectrum of cultures across our beautiful rainbow nation.
The goal is to foster unity and positive interactions among young learners by facilitating cross cultural exchanges through music and in the process benefitting disadvantaged learners and communities.
The concert concludes the third year of the ‘Sounds of Celebration’ project in which NGO Education Africa has collaborated with Sydenham Shul to uplift disadvantaged communities around Johannesburg.
Education Africa currently runs 9 projects that address various educational needs in South Africa. Their most recent grassroots endeavour has developed an ongoing scheme aimed at bringing musical training, through the establishment of marimba hubs, to a wide number of communities.
This exciting project has already established marimba hubs at the Ithute Primary School in Alexandra and the Daveyton Zama Montessori School where over 250 children attend marimba lessons on a weekly basis, and an additional set of marimbas was donated to Stoneridge Primary School in appreciation for the outstanding marimba work being done at that school. With this year’s proceeds a new marimba hub will be established in the Boys and Girls Club in Protea Glen, Soweto.
This year’s exceptional event coordinated by Education Africa’s musical director Joan Lithgow, is themed ‘We are the world. We are the children’, and will include musical pieces on mbira, kora, djembe drums, marimbas, pipe bands, penny whistles, bouzoukis, violin, jazz band, and will also feature choirs, acrobats and dancers.
The organisers are presenting two matinees which are free concerts for 2000 disadvantaged youth in the Gauteng area. These young learners will have the opportunity to hear talented peers perform in a world-class venue.
An educational booklet, allied to the CAPS curriculum, has also been prepared and will be supplied to each child. The final performance, formally presented by David Bloch, takes place on Tuesday 15 March at 20:00 and is open to the public. All performances take place at Emperors Palace, Theatre of Marcellus. Tickets are reasonably priced between R60 and R120. Bookings www.ticketpro.co.za
For more information about the project and the concerts contact Education Africa 011 685 7300 or Sydenham Shul 011 640 5021.
Participants include: Pops Mohamed, Yeshiva College, , Jack Lerole Penny Whistle Ensemble, Jeppe Boys High School, King David Linksfield Primary School, Saheti School, St Benedict’s College, St Dominic’s Boksburg, Zama Montessori School, Pendo Masote on violin, Vuyani Dance Studio & Jewish singing sensation: Choni G
