Member Reflections

South Africa 2001

South Africa, with its green fields framed with mountains, is beautiful. Singing with the music school’s orchestra and choir was inspiring but for me the most moving time was singing “Pass Me Not” with Dennis (broken foot) Slaughter at the piano, Sharon Molden’s incredible soaring improvisation and Renese’s brilliant conducting and mouthing of the words, so that even I who didn’t know the music could sing my heart out as the tears flowed down my cheeks.

Last night with the Frank Pietersen Music Centre was wonderful. The staff was full of energy and purpose, very determined to generate a cadre of proficient musicians in this area. Even though the audience was small, the energy in the hall was tremendous. What an evening! It was such a pleasure to be there, watching all the faces in the room light up.

Both the formal speakers in Piketberg and yesterday at the festival in George held us up as an example of hope for them that the black and white and coloured can live and work together. In private moments, Martin in Piketberg and choir members in George said the same thing…with great emotion. The races are so separate here even though the laws all were changed to mandate equality. Knowing all the race problems at home makes it hard to accept the role as symbol of racial equality and harmony. But… we are here to make a difference and to reach across barriers with music. If we can bring them hope, then I can accept their praise and determine to make it more true when I return home.

The highlight…the emotional acme of the trip so far was the singing of Finlandia (This Is My Song) in Piketberg. Sam conducting us with tears rolling down his cheeks, the massed choirs behind us with their white candles flickering. Many of us were unable to sing because of crying. Then to have African choristers rush up to hug us, pouring out their love, what an intense moment of connection!
Along with the warm reflections of being embraced by throngs of students and fellow choristers, the thrill of seeing a Cape Buffalo's nostrils flare, the view of the Northern Berg in the Drakensbergs, the flukes of right whales basking near the mouth of the Storm River, and the taste of fine wine blends in the Western Cape, we'll recall the strong will and determination of all those met in South Africa, and take permanent inspiration from them.