Dear Musikwoche Friends,
July is traditionally the start of registrations, and this year is no exception! As of the 14th of July you will be able to register electronically, just go to “Registration“, read all the relevant information, fill in a short form and you have secured 10 days of fun, music and new friendships, all this while enhancing your musical talent!
Who is lecturing this year?
As Musical Director we welcome back Cornelia von Kerssenbrock – she has put this year under the theme “Let’s Praise”. As she very much enjoyed the MuWo choir last year, she will also be the choir master this year, as many of our Final Concert pieces will include the choir together with the Grand Orchestra.
The Youth Orchestra will be conducted by the expert hands of Hendi Krog, who is supported by Jerome Cloete for the recorder ensemble as well as two assistants from South Africa.
Nici Coleman directs the Brass Ensemble, together with experienced assistants from South Africa.
Leader of the Big Band is Professor Mike Rossi, he will also teach the saxophone ensemble.
Strings may look forward to Denise Sutton (she is also our Concert Master) and Nicole D’Oliveira, celli will be taught by Katia Sokolova. Derek Fenell will join us again for the flutes, Jenny Brand guides the clarinets and oboes and bassoons will be directed by Carin Bam. Percussion is in the expert hands of Daniel Nambassi and his assistant. We welcome a number of talented music students as assistants again, ensuring that all participants benefit greatly from small groups and possibly even a one-on-one session.
What program can we expect?
Many things in life can be praised, thus Cornelia von Kerssenbrock put together a colourful and varied program. For the Choir & Grand Orchestra we look forward to the following pieces:
G.F. Händel with the “Dixit Dominus” and F. Mendelssohn-Bartholdy with „Denn er hat seinen Engeln…“ from „Elija“ are a must, as is the praise of love, seen in Tchaikovsky’s fantasy overture “Romeo and Juliet”. We also want to praise our continent with the title music by J. Barry from “Out of Africa”, the “Sanctus” and “Benedictus” from the Missa Luba, arr. by Pater G. Haazen and the title song from the movie Amistad, “Dry Your Tears Africa” by J. Williams. We look forward to compositions by L. Bernstein, three pieces from his musical “On the Town” as well as the 1st psalm from the “Chichester Psalms”. We praise music with “All That Jazz” and we praise our world with “Protectors of the Earth”.
Concert Dates
Friday, 7 December: Start for participants
Sunday, 9 December: Musical accompaniment of the church service by lecturers of the Musikwoche
Tuesday, 11 December: Lecturer Concert
Wednesday, 12 December: Open Air Brass Concert
Thursday, 13 December: Youth & Ensemble Concert
Friday, 14 & Saturday, 15 December: Final Concert
What else is happening?
After an invitation from Cornelia von Kerssenbrock, we were able to organise a cultural exchange for three Musikwoche choir members this year! For almost three months the young singers travelled to the Opera Festival Immling at Lake Chiemsee in Germany, where they are participating in three operas as well as several concerts. The invaluable experiences they collect there will benefit all choir singers of the Swakopmunder Musikwoche, and we very much hope to find young, talented singers who are up to the challenge and want a chance at improving and expanding their talent in 2019.
Keep an eye on our website, as we add new information!
Looking forward to seeing you in December, be it as participant or member of the audience
Musical greetings
From your Musikwoche Team
Ailly, Rio & Chris
