Namibia: Bank's Big Sponsorship for International Choir

Namibia: Bank's Big Sponsorship for International Choir

New Era (Windhoek)

27 July 2007
Posted to the web 27 July 2007

Frederick Philander
Windhoek

Bank Windhoek this week announced its support for the World Youth Choir with a mammoth sponsorship of N$120 000 to help cover the costs of a number of performances in the country.

"Bank Windhoek recognizes the importance of supporting arts in all genres.

Through the growth of arts in Namibia, our artists - especially our young artists - will be able to play a significant role in the development of arts both locally and internationally," said Johan Minnaar, Executive Officer of Credit at Bank Windhoek in announcing the sponsorship.

The sponsorship will primarily assist the World Youth Choir to purchase flight tickets from Johannesburg to Windhoek.

"This is the first time the World Youth Choir will be performing in South Africa during their summer session. It will also be the first time the choir is to grace Namibia, and for that we are thankful to Bank Windhoek for providing the assistance by ensuring that Namibians will also have a chance to hear the World Youth Choir as they tour Africa," said Lydia Auala, Namibian co-ordinator of the World Youth Choir.

The choir has approximately 75 young choral singers between the ages of 16 and 26. These young singers constitute one of the most original and important choirs that exist today.

"Year after year the number of participating countries increases. Currently, there are more than 36 different nationalities in the choir, thus assuring that all continents are represented," Auala said.

The choir will arrive in the country on Monday and will perform various shows until August 4.

On Tuesday, a conductor and choir workshop will commence with world renowned conductors, Sidumo Jacobs from South Africa and Peter Dijkstra from The Netherlands. Both these highly acclaimed conductors will lend their skills to local conductors.

As part of their repertoire, the choir will perform two Namibian songs. The one song was written by Ernst van Biljon, a local conductor, and the second song was written by Marcellinus Swaarboi, a local composer. The performances will take place at 20h00 at the St Mary's Cathedral on Thursday and Friday, August 2 and 3. Tickets are available from the College of the Arts, Revive Us Christian Book Shop at Maerua Mall or at Medisan Pharmacy at Wernhil Park.

For any enquiries, please do not hesitate to contact Lydia Auala of the World Youth Choir organizing committee at 081-211-7234.