Childrens' choral repetoire : hearing the voice of South African composers

This article offers a South African perspective on the role of composers as an important link in the process of conductors selecting repertoire for children’s choirs. The following research question is explored: “What is the role of South African composers with regard to the challenges that conductors experience in their quest of choosing repertoire for children’s choirs?” In this qualitative study, various factors that influence the origin and nature of new compositions are examined. Methods of data collection include literature reviews, interviews and questionnaires. South African composers as well as local and international conductors of children’s choirs were involved as respondents. Firstly, the composers were asked to reflect on personal aspects that play a role in their interest in composing choral music and that affect the nature of their compositions and, secondly, on their general opinion regarding the choice of repertoire. The conductors, in turn, reported on various role players that influence their choice of repertoire, and commented on the extent to which they include South African compositions as repertoire. The author concludes that communication between composers and conductors is one of the key issues in the creative process of finding and expanding existing suitable South African repertoire for children’s choirs.Die artikel bied ’n Suid-Afrikaanse perspektief oor die rol van komponiste as ’n belangrike skakel in die proses waarvolgens dirigente repertorium vir kinderkore kies. Die volgende navorsingsvraag word ondersoek: “Wat is die rol van Suid-Afrikaanse komponiste met betrekking tot die uitdagings waarvoor dirigente in die keuse van repertorium vir kinderkore te staan kom?” Verskeie faktore wat die oorsprong en aard van nuwe komposisies beïnvloed, word in hierdie kwalitatiewe studie ondersoek. Metodes van data-insameling wat gebruik is, sluit literatuurstudie, onderhoude en vraelyste in. Suid-Afrikaanse komponiste sowel as plaaslike en internasionale dirigente van kinderkore is as respondente betrek. Eerstens is komponiste versoek om insette te lewer oor persoonlike faktore wat ’n rol in hul belangstelling in die komponeer van koormusiek en in die aard van hul komposisies speel en, tweedens, oor hul algemene opinie rakende die keuse van repertorium. Dirigente bied op hul beurt sienings aan oor die verskeie rolspelers wat hul keuse van repertorium beïnvloed, asook die mate waarin hulle Suid-Afrikaanse komposisies as repertorium in hul konsertprogramme insluit. Die outeur kom tot die gevolgtrekking dat kommunikasie en interaksie tussen komponiste en dirigente ’n sleutelfaktor is in die kreatiewe proses van die keuse en uitbreiding van bestaande Suid-Afrikaanse repertorium vir kinderkore.On scanned article is no author - the author's name in the article of the journal Musicus (v. 39 no. 1, 2011) is Riekie van AswegenAuthor wrote her theses as Hendrika Johanna van Aswegen - as author of textbooks and conductor of a choir she is known as Riekie van Aswegenhttp://www.journals.co.za/ej/ejour_musicus.htmlgm201

Folk music for children’s choirs : the challenges and benefits of cultural diversity

In this article we investigate ‘folk’ music in the choral repertoire of children’s choirs as a way of building bridges between diverse cultures within the context of regional children’s choirs, with specific reference to the University of Pretoria Jacaranda Children’s Choir, which performs under the auspices of the University of Pretoria, as a sample case study. This descriptive qualitative study investigates the challenges and benefits of including folk music in the repertoire of children’s choirs in South Africa, while also taking into account the views of internationally recognised conductors of overseas children’s choirs. We address challenges in preserving the authentic character of folk music in choral performances, issues regarding transcribing African folk music, copyright, and the availability of scores and audio-visual media We also investigate the extent to which folk music is included in programmes of South African children’s choirs and ways in which folk music as choral repertoire can play a role in promoting the transformation process in South Africa.http://tandfonline.com/loi/rmaa20gv201

Folk music for children’s choirs: the challenges and benefits of cultural diversity

In this article we investigate ‘folk’ music in the choral repertoire of children’s choirs as a way of building bridges between diverse cultures within the context of regional children’s choirs, with specific reference to  the University of Pretoria Jacaranda Children’s Choir, which performs under the auspices of the University of Pretoria, as a sample case study. This descriptive qualitative study investigates the challenges and benefits of including folk music in the repertoire of children’s choirs in South Africa, while also taking into account  the views of internationally recognised conductors of overseas children’s choirs. We address challenges in preserving the authentic character of folk music in choral performances, issues regarding transcribing African folk music, copyright, and the availability of scores and audiovisual media We also investigate the extent to which folk music is included in programmes of South African children’s choirs and ways in which folk music as choral repertoire can play a role in promoting the transformation process in South Africa.JOURNAL OF THE MUSICAL ARTS IN AFRICA VOLUME 7 2010, 51–7

Jack of all trades, master of some ...or none? Training teachers in Integrated Arts

This article reports on the integration of music with other &lsquo;Arts&rsquo; in teacher training at a South African university where a challenge tertiary educators face is how to successfully integrate music within the Arts and Culture learning area of the school education system. The article firstly provides a brief background to the South African educational context. Secondly, it outlines current practices in the in the implementation of the integrated arts curriculum in schools and teacher training. Thirdly, it discusses pertinent issues and challenges in relation to team teaching, integration and curriculum change in teacher training. Given the constraints and opportunities that universities currently experience, this article investigates and reports on the issue of whether students should be trained as Jack of all trades and master of some&hellip;or none or Master of one trade and Jack of some with regard to integrating the Arts.<br /