DCAS and Artscape reach out to Choirs in the Hessequa area

Community choirs from the Hessequa municipal area were invited to attend special choir workshops presented by Artscape in cooperation with the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) as well as the Hessequa Municipality. The workshops and concert form part of the Artscape Department for Audience Development and Education annual outreach programme to a rural community in the Western Cape. This is the eighth consecutive year that rural communities have been given first-hand exposure to professional theatre – on stage and behind the scenes.

Local talent will be identified, developed and opportunities are offered to performers to be exposed to, and participate in, events and performances. Knowing that choral music is the performing art that is practised by the largest number of people in South Africa, local choir leaders and members are given opportunities to receive training in choral music, conducting and techniques. In addition, they will participate in the regional choral music festival to be held in the first week of October 2014.

These workshops have been taking place since July and the final one took place in Stilbaai towards the end of August. The exposure that the choirs receive will make local residents more aware of the talent in their midst and create better opportunities for choirs to perform at more local events. It will also contribute during this historic year to involve rural communities in the 20 Years of Freedom and Democracy celebrations.

The local residents will be offered the opportunity to enjoy and learn from and through the arts during the performances that take place during the outreach programme.  The community in the Hessequa municipal area will also be exposed to the arts through performances by some of our best artists from 30 September until 3 October 2014. 

The involvement of DCAS in the Artscape outreach programme helps to support the identification and development of local talent and provides opportunities for participants to perform at other events. DCAS is proud to support this partnership which contribute to the development of choirs in the Western Cape. This is a fitting partnership to promote the profile of choral groups to reach their full potential.