The Ndlovu Youth Choir's South African tour begins on Thursday at the Teatro, Montecasino, before heading to Cape Town.
Like the Springboks, the quality of the Ndlovu Youth Choir means that every member is able to perform at the highest level without compromising quality.
“The choir does not always travel together. The choir is made up of more than 30 choristers, but when we are abroad another choir stays behind in the country and the whole choir is replaced so there is no A choir, B choir, first team and second team,” said Ndlovu Youth Choir conductor, composer and producer Ralf Schmidt. The Citizen.
The choir will begin their South African tour at the Montecasino Theatre on Thursday 5 September, with the Johannesburg performances running until Sunday 8 September, while the Cape Town performances will begin in January next year.
“We have a rotation system that ensures equal rotation of choristers and everyone has the opportunity to travel nationally and internationally.”
All members of the Ndlovu Youth Choir are taking part in the SA tour.
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sold out
They've done a similar tour in 2021, and have sold out South African dates in 2022 and 2023. Tickets for their current tour are also close to selling out.
“We are so grateful for the support we have received from South African audiences. This is our fourth year performing at the Teatro Montecasino and Artscape in Cape Town and to have sold out tickets three years in a row and be on track to sell out again for the fourth is truly incredible,” Schmidt declared.
“It's the energy and vibrancy of young South Africans that brings people back to the shows.”
“A rural village in Limpopo”
The founder of the popular choir believes there is a wealth of up-and-coming talent across the country, given that the Ndlovu Youth Choir is made up entirely of young people from Limpopo.
“We are from rural villages in Limpopo and if that is the talent in a small village then how much untapped talent is there across the country,” he said.
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World Stage
Outside South Africa, the choir's most extensive performances are in the Netherlands and the United States, according to the composer.
Last year, the Ndlovu Youth Choir performed to an audience of over 40,000 in Amsterdam.
“We are taking part in the North Sea Jazz Festival and are now returning to the Netherlands for a sold-out show at the renowned AFAS Theatre.”
Schmidt said that when they perform abroad, homesick expats show them support.
“It's also fun to see South Africans coming to the shows – they always get incredibly homesick when they see the choir and come with tears in their eyes.”
“Last year we toured the US from Florida to Vermont on the East Coast, and we also did two full concert tours in Europe, playing mainly in Holland and Germany.
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Life on tour
According to Schmidt, the biggest challenges of traveling the world with a group of young people are mainly administrative.
“Getting visas, work visas, getting everybody on time, organising it. We have a great team who help us with that. It's not easy.”
He said apart from some tweaks, there is no significant difference between domestic and overseas performance.
“Yes, there might be small changes but I think the bulk of the show will be the same. There are songs and jokes that are acceptable to South African audiences that we don't necessarily do overseas, so we will make subtle changes, but overall it's the same show.”
The world-renowned choir will return to New York City later this year after performing a one-off concert in Bryant Park to benefit the Carnegie Hall Foundation.
They are now set to make their debut at the prestigious Carnegie Hall, where a ceremony will be held to celebrate 30 years of South African democracy.
“It is an honour to represent South Africa and Carnegie Hall in celebrating 30 years of democracy. South Africa has so much to celebrate, but sometimes we forget how incredible we are and the great things we have achieved. We have the South African zees (spirit) and tenacity, and we are sure to showcase that at Carnegie Hall.”
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