IT IS in the hands of a conductor that a choir stands or falls.
As he dramatically glides, cascades and manoeuvres his way through a complicated sonata or energetically guides the choristers through a robust traditional composition, this is the driver of the rhythm and the heartbeat of the voices in harmony.
Sydwell Mhlongo has been at it for 14 years with the popular Gauteng Choristers, leading the choir to three successful National Choral Choir Festival and three national championships at the SA Post Office Eisteddfod.
The 40-year-old has proven to be a talented and passionate individual.
Mhlongo started out as a chorister singing for Mosupatsela Secondary School choir in Kagiso on the West Rand. He was introduced to conducting at the age of 16 by one of the music teachers and never looked back.
"Being a conductor is a process that requires you to work hard. In all these years it has been hard work for me while trying to improve my technique."
This weekend, Mhlongo has a chance to increase the list of accolades under his belt when his choir competes in the OR Tambo Melting Pot Choral Festival at Carnival City in Brakpan. The event is staged in honour of the late ANC stalwart, Oliver Tambo, and takes place tomorrow and Sunday.
Mhlongo says Tambo was more than just a political leader, but also a passionate choral composer. "This is the best way to honour someone who had a passion for music."
The conductor has led the 75-strong voices that included Sibongile Khumalo in a performance of Philip Miller's Rewind Cantata for Voice, Tape and Strings ensemble at the Market Theatre.
In 2011, he was appointed chorus master of Winnie, The Opera, composed by Bongani Ndodana-Breen, that had a season at the State Theatre in Pretoria.
As someone who has conducted different orchestras and choirs, his wish is to lead a full opera, despite black conductors struggling to make a name for themselves in the white-dominated field.
"The problem is that local companies do not have confidence in black conductors. That is why they will bring in an international conductor to do that."
Mhlongo, who studied orchestra conducting with maestro Robert Maxym, has also adjudicated in different levels of eisteddfods and choir competitions.
He also facilitates workshops in various aspects of choral music and choir management for South African Schools Choral Eisteddfod.
Apart from his music career, he is also a compiler and a presenter on SAfm.
For more stories like this one, be sure to buy the Sowetan newspaper from Mondays to Fridays
Honouring Tambo - Mhlongo hits a high note with choristers
IT IS in the hands of a conductor that a choir stands or falls.
As he dramatically glides, cascades and manoeuvres his way through a complicated sonata or energetically guides the choristers through a robust traditional composition, this is the driver of the rhythm and the heartbeat of the voices in harmony.
Sydwell Mhlongo has been at it for 14 years with the popular Gauteng Choristers, leading the choir to three successful National Choral Choir Festival and three national championships at the SA Post Office Eisteddfod.
The 40-year-old has proven to be a talented and passionate individual.
Mhlongo started out as a chorister singing for Mosupatsela Secondary School choir in Kagiso on the West Rand. He was introduced to conducting at the age of 16 by one of the music teachers and never looked back.
"Being a conductor is a process that requires you to work hard. In all these years it has been hard work for me while trying to improve my technique."
This weekend, Mhlongo has a chance to increase the list of accolades under his belt when his choir competes in the OR Tambo Melting Pot Choral Festival at Carnival City in Brakpan. The event is staged in honour of the late ANC stalwart, Oliver Tambo, and takes place tomorrow and Sunday.
Mhlongo says Tambo was more than just a political leader, but also a passionate choral composer. "This is the best way to honour someone who had a passion for music."
The conductor has led the 75-strong voices that included Sibongile Khumalo in a performance of Philip Miller's Rewind Cantata for Voice, Tape and Strings ensemble at the Market Theatre.
In 2011, he was appointed chorus master of Winnie, The Opera, composed by Bongani Ndodana-Breen, that had a season at the State Theatre in Pretoria.
As someone who has conducted different orchestras and choirs, his wish is to lead a full opera, despite black conductors struggling to make a name for themselves in the white-dominated field.
"The problem is that local companies do not have confidence in black conductors. That is why they will bring in an international conductor to do that."
Mhlongo, who studied orchestra conducting with maestro Robert Maxym, has also adjudicated in different levels of eisteddfods and choir competitions.
He also facilitates workshops in various aspects of choral music and choir management for South African Schools Choral Eisteddfod.
Apart from his music career, he is also a compiler and a presenter on SAfm.
For more stories like this one, be sure to buy the Sowetan newspaper from Mondays to Fridays
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