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Broad repertoire at South Africa campus

13 August 2008

Lebogang Matsididi and Tshepo Kgositau with Monash Foundation Program teacher June Jarman.

The MSA Choir in action.

The dream of two first-year Monash South Africa students has become a reality with the launch of the Monash South Africa choir.

Three months ago, Tshepo Kgositau and Lebogang Matsididi took the initiative to form a choir and held their first practice with 10 other students.

Enthusiasm and word of mouth has seen membership grow to 50.

Monash Foundation Program teacher Ms June Jarman, who was approached to become the choir matron said: "I was thrilled when I heard of the students' intention to start a choir. I was inspired by their enthusiasm and dedication."

The Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Tyrone Pretorius, has donated a piano and uniforms to the choir.

"I was impressed with the fact that the students took the initiative themselves to start the choir, and with their dedication," said Professor Pretorius.

"The establishment of this choir forms an exciting part of the development of a broad cultural life on the Monash South Africa campus."

"We are delighted to be able to support our students in initiatives like this. We believe that experiences outside the classroom form an important part of a well-rounded education."

The Monash Choir sings in several languages and plans to develop a repertoire of both traditional chamber choir songs and African songs.

The group performed at the MonChrist Gospel festival on campus and was a highlight at the first annual Student Association performing arts night as well as at the launch of the Pro Vice-Chancellor's Leadership Program earlier this year.

"We are very excited about the future of this choir," Mr Kgositau said. "We aspire to compete in local university choral music competitions as well as the Gauteng Choral Music Competitions."

For more news from MSA visit the Monash South Africa website.