PROFILE

Download Profile

Introduction :

East Rand Male Symphony was established in August 1990 by the members of the then Kenneth Masekela SSS Boys Choir after winning the TUATA National School Choir Competition in the category of Boys Choirs for the 4th successive year.

They were under the tutelage of Mojalefa Motloung.

The choir is made up of members from the East Rand which is now affectionately known as Ekurhuleni.

The young men who established the choir in 1990 are now responsible men taking their place in their communities.

We currently have over 35 members of which ages range from 20 to 50.

We are still under the baton of Mojalefa Motloung who also forms part of our Conductors Forum.

Milestones and Accolades :

Over the years we have performed on many stages but highlight some particularly special moments :

3 Times Champions at the National Championships of the Sowetan Nation Building Choral Festival
Participated for a number of years in the ATKV Choral and Cultural Competitions aimed at promoting cultural cohesion in South Africa
Guest Choir at the Old Mutual Choir Festival in 1992
Guest Choir for the inauguration of the first African President – the late Nelson Mandela
Guest Choir to launch Nelson Mandela’s childrens fund organisation
1996 We travelled to the USA where we visited Los Angeles, Boston and Massachusetts, where we had a few stage performance
Guest choir at the Gauteng Choral Music Association awards May 2014

Guests of the annual Melting Pot Choral Festival where the stage was shared with many local artists
We recorded with the SABC on the show Imizwilili September 2014 and on the same day we officially opened the NBL by singing the South African Anthem
Guest choir at the AMANDLA stage production celebrating 20 years of democracy
Repeated guests at the Melting Pot Choral Festival as well as being part of the Chris Thembisile Hani Tribute Concert where we shared the stage with local artists
We have also toured the Kingdom of Lesotho, Swaziland, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Durban
World Choir Games 2018 South Africa - received Very Good Result certificate in the Evaluation Round

Objectives of the Choir :

Engage in activities and taking part in Choral Festivals, Concerts and Competitions which promote Classical and Choral Music.

Promote the spirit of goodwill and friendship by supporting and working with organisations who share similar visions and goals as we do.

Support and co-operate with organisations involved with welfare and the betterment of our community.

We remain non-political in our outlook so as to facilitate reconciliation through music.

Partnerships :

We have shared the stage with renowned choirs within the SA Choral fraternity. Among them : Unitra Choir, Mathew Singers, Maseru Vocal Waves, PE Viola Mens Chorus, Bloemfontein Male Voice, Cenestra Male Choir, Randburg Mannekor, The Welsh Men’s Choir, Boksburg Prison Choir, Albertonse Mannekor – these are to name just a few.

In the past we have received generous donations from Murray and Roberts, Kellog’s, Transnet and the I Can Foundation. As well as receiving a donation of T-Shirts from Anglo American. We are soon to be in partnership with the local Ekurhuleni Municipality.

We have taken part in numerous Community Outreach Programmes the latest being a benefit concert of which proceeds we donated to the Kwa-Thema Stimulation Centre.

Individual Achievements and Vision :

We boast a rich heritage of professionals ranging from conductors, choral music composers, lawyers, school inspectors, community leaders. All being a great asset to our community.

We have members attending institutions of higher learning. We promote a learning nation and encourage our members to be educated. We assist in registering members of the choir in terms of funds to register and pay for tuition.

Our outreach programs include assisting our registered members as well as our comminity in the form of donations from the proceeds from our concerts.

We strongly believe that choral music is a wonderful way of sharing and experiencing the diverse cultures and traditons of our rainbow nation. We also believe singing together as a Male Choir we give music a voice to express reverence, love and passion.

Our diverse and dynamic cultural heritage needs to be harnessed as it is one of the richest resources with the potential to generate enormous social gains of our beloved country.