WeeklySA_AdminREPERTOIRE: The University of Johannesburg Choir will bring together some of Johannesburg’s finest school choirs for Voices of Tomorrow: A Choir Kaleidoscope on August 1, celebrating young musical talent while creating pathways into higher education and the performing arts…
By Jacob Mawela
The University of Johannesburg (UJ) Choir is set to celebrate the city’s next generation of musical talent when it hosts Voices of Tomorrow: A Choir Kaleidoscope on August 1, bringing together leading school choirs for an afternoon dedicated to nurturing young performers and strengthening Johannesburg’s choral tradition.
The concert, to be staged at the Keorapetse William Kgositsile Theatre at the UJ Arts Centre on the University’s Kingsway Campus in Auckland Park, is more than a showcase of musical excellence. It is designed as an investment in the future of South African choral music by giving school learners the opportunity to perform in a professional theatre environment while experiencing university life first-hand.
Hosted by the UJ Choir as part of UJ Arts & Culture in the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture (FADA), the annual event continues the institution’s commitment to developing young artistic talent and building stronger links between schools, communities and higher education.
This year’s programme features performances by choirs from Curro Aurora, Sacred Heart College, De La Salle Holy Cross College, Roosevelt High School and Greenside High School, each bringing its own distinctive musical identity to the stage.
Audiences can expect an uplifting afternoon of diverse choral music reflecting Johannesburg’s rich cultural landscape and the remarkable standard of school choral singing across the city.
According to UJ Choir master Sizwe Mondlane, the concert is intended to inspire as much as it entertains.
“Voices of Tomorrow: Choir Kaleidoscope is about creating space for young singers to feel seen, heard and encouraged,” he said.
“Our hope is that some of these young voices will one day become the voices that shape UJ Choir. We want them to see UJ as a place where their talent and creative potential can grow”.
The initiative also reflects the University’s broader educational mission by recognising music as an important contributor to personal development. Beyond artistic achievement, organisers believe participation in choir builds confidence, discipline, teamwork, creativity and leadership among young people.
The event aligns with the University of Johannesburg’s Strategic Plan 2035, which places emphasis on social impact, inclusivity, collaboration and preparing students for the future. It also supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 on Quality Education by extending learning opportunities beyond the classroom through the arts.
For many of the participating learners, performing on a professional stage offers an invaluable experience that may shape future educational and career aspirations. The concert demonstrates how universities can play an active role in identifying and nurturing emerging talent long before students enter tertiary education.
The University of Johannesburg Choir has earned a reputation as one of South Africa’s leading university choirs. Comprising approximately 80 students from a wide range of academic disciplines, the ensemble has distinguished itself through performances of both Western classical and African choral repertoire, winning numerous accolades while showcasing South African musical excellence.
Voices of Tomorrow: A Choir Kaleidoscope takes place on August 1, at 15:00 in the Keorapetse William Kgositsile Theatre at the UJ Arts Centre, Auckland Park.
Tickets cost R120 for adults and R100 for children and are available through Quicket.
