New costumes, new songs, new choreographies – the Ndlovu Youth Choir is becoming increasingly professional. An own logo, an independent website, Facebook, Twitter – all this supports the choir’s new appearance.
The integrative approach is a complete success
The Ndlovu Youth Choir was founded in 2009. It is a project from the Ndlovu Care Group’s CHAMP child development program. The original idea was to give children from difficult social backgrounds and prognoses a meaningful occupation in their lives. Most of the children have a very difficult childhood. Often these children have lost their parents, and often their homes, to AIDS. Many of them were left to roam the streets, did not go to school and became pregnant as teenagers. Some also have a criminal background.
The choir gives them a chance to rehabilitate. The idea is as simple as it is effective: if you want to sing well and loudly, you have to stand up straight and raise your head. This proud posture alone helps to increase self-esteem. Through its inclusive approach, the Ndlovu Youth Choir also gives a voice to those who would otherwise not be heard. The singers of the Ndlovu Youth Choir have enjoyed great success in the past. They have performed internationally and sung with various great artists such as Hermann van Veen and Claire Johnston.
All members graduate from school
All members have graduated from school since the choir was founded and none of the young people have become pregnant. This is a great success for the Ndlovu Care Group’s children and youth program. Many of them have managed to start a self-determined, successful and independent life. They have completed training and are now working. The hard work of the children and the choirmaster Ralf paid off in self-confidence, discipline and self-responsibility.
The children usually leave the choir after school when they go to study or train in a city. However, some of the young people are so completely absorbed in singing that they can no longer imagine doing anything else. In addition, many requests for performances could not be confirmed, as a school choir is naturally also linked to school hours, final papers and similar primary commitments.
Professionalization of the choir also offers graduates a future
The idea of forming a professional choir with permanent members took shape over time. You could offer a (paid) future to members who are really committed to this profession. It would be possible to expand the commitment, as it would no longer be entirely dependent on the composition of pupils. You could promote talent, but above all retain it.
Of course, the children’s and youth work will continue and is part of the choir’s flexible team. With this new focus, however, the choir is expanding its commitment considerably. Many new songs have been recorded in the recording studio and they are currently working on their own CD.
New website: Choir.africa
A first taste of the new songs can be found on the new website at:
Here you can also find the choir’s new video, which vividly conveys the mood and feeling of the choir.
You can also watch the video on our YouTube channel:
There is also a performance calendar on the website – the choir is already well booked! We are keeping our fingers crossed for everything else.
