On Dec. 11, CU Presents brings South Africa鈥檚 24-voice Soweto Gospel Choir to Macky Auditorium. The choir鈥檚 holiday program features colorful, spirited performances of classic Christmas carols, and moving African gospel and dance. The performance begins at 7:30 p.m.
Described as 鈥淣othing less than an international treasure鈥� (JazzTimes), the Soweto Gospel Choir offers a stunning affirmation of how South Africans celebrate, grieve, worship and tell stories. Among several other songs and chants, program selections include 鈥淗ayo mathata,鈥� 鈥淶iyamaz鈥� umelusi,鈥� 鈥淜ae le Kae鈥� and 鈥淎simbonanga/Biko鈥濃�攁 song that speaks to Nelson Mandela鈥檚 27-year jail term.听
The choir will also perform their rendition of Jimmy Cliff鈥檚 1970s hit, 鈥淪wing Low,鈥� which represents support for the anti-Apartheid movement; as well as James Brown鈥檚 鈥淚 Feel Good.鈥� The program鈥攁 mix of traditional and contemporary music and dance鈥攃oncludes with a handful of favorite Christmas carols in the group鈥檚 unique rendering of music and rhythms, including 鈥淥h! Holy Night,鈥� 鈥淟ittle Drummer Boy,鈥� 鈥淪ilent Night,鈥� 鈥淲e Wish You a Merry Christmas鈥� and more.
The tradition of Christmas was introduced to South Africa by missionaries around 1650, and remains an important holiday celebration among South Africans today. Indeed, Christianity is now entrenched in South African life with approximately 80 percent of the population following some variant of the religion鈥攊t鈥檚 a key aspect of family and community life, as is music, singing and dancing.听
Led by choir directors Beverly Bryer and Jimmy Mulovhedzi, the Soweto Gospel Choir was formed in November 2002; one month later, their first album, 鈥淰oices of Heaven,鈥� was recorded, reaching the No. 1 spot on Billboard鈥檚 World Music Chart within three weeks of its release in the United States. In 2003, the choir won its first award鈥攖he Helpmann Award, Australia鈥檚 prestigious performing arts award鈥攆or 鈥淏est Contemporary Music Concert,鈥� as well as American Gospel Music Awards for 鈥淏est Choir鈥� and 鈥淏est International Choir.鈥� Since then, the choir garnered a Grammy Award for its second album, 鈥淏lessed,鈥� in the category 鈥淏est Traditional World Music.鈥�
The Soweto Gospel Choir has performed for Nelson Mandela and former President Bill Clinton, and as the invited guests for their patron, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, at his 75th birthday celebrations. The choir was also featured with Diana Ross, Deborah Cox and Danny K at the 鈥淯nite of the Stars鈥� Gala Banquet in South Africa, and they鈥檝e appeared on NBC鈥檚 鈥淭oday Show,鈥� 鈥淟ate Night with Conan O鈥橞rien鈥� and Jay Leno鈥檚 鈥淭onight Show.鈥� Additionally, the Soweto Gospel Choir has performed for Oprah Winfrey and her illustrious guests, including Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Tina Turner, Patti Labelle, Sidney Poitier and Quincy Jones.听
Beyond their distinctive music making, the Soweto Gospel Choir founded its own AIDS orphans foundation, Nkosi鈥檚 Haven Vukani (which means 鈥淥utreach鈥�), to assist organizations that receive little or no funding. The choir also performs for a variety of charitable causes.
Join us for a pre-concert lecture with Assistant Professor of Ethnomusicology Austin Okigbo. The lecture begins at 6:45 p.m. in Room 102 at Macky Auditorium; seating is limited, so please arrive early.
Tickets for the event are limited. To purchase tickets, visit the .
