The Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) will be hosting the Western Cape Choral Music Indaba at the Fountains Hotel in Cape Town on 15 and 16 February 2014. Through this event, DCAS is seeking to understand the choral music sector across all regions of the province in all its diversity, and consult with stakeholders about skills development, social and economic development, as well as social cohesion.
A wide variety of choirs are active in the province. These range from community-based, faith-based and indigenous choirs, to choirs based in schools and tertiary education institutions. However, most choirs operate in isolation of each other. This fragmentation reduces the potentially beneficial impact of DCAS interventions in the choral music sector.
During the Indaba, participants will map out the choral music landscape of the province and identify key role-players – conductors, composers, musicians, academics, music education specialists and private sector stakeholders. Discussions will take place about skills development and the potential links between choral music and social and economic development. The contribution that the sector can make to social cohesion is also on the agenda.
DCAS has committed itself to build on what emerges from the Indaba when it formulates its interventions to develop, promote and preserve choral music in the Western Cape.
Media are invited to attend
Date: 15 February 2014
Time: 9:05 – 9:45 (Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport Dr Ivan Meyer is expected to speak about the vision for choral music in the province)
Venue: Fountains Hotel, 1 St Georges Mall Street, Cape Town
Daniel Johnson
Spokesperson for Minister Meyer
Tel: 021 483 3261
E-mail: daniel.johnson@westerncape.gov.za