HISTORICAL DURBAN MENS' CHOIR WANTS TO SPREAD SOUTH AFRICA'S CULTURAL DIVERSITY THROUGHOUT THE WORLD

(BY SUBRY GOVENDER) One of Durban’s historical musical institutions, the Durban Mens’ Choir, which is observing its 45th anniversary, is planning to showcase South Africa’s wonderful cultural diversity to audiences throughout the country and the world.

Dr John Pauw (Founder of the Choir) The Choir, which was established in January 1971 by Dr John Pauw, performs mainly at churches, schools in partnership with school choirs, and at special events during Easter, Christmas and other important occasions. The Choir first undertook an overseas tour to Europe in 1976 and then to the United States in 1984. The Choir undertook its second tour to Europe in 1989. This was the last tour out of the country that the Choir had undertaken. Since its inception the Choir has undertaken tours to a number of cities and towns outside KwaZulu-Natal. These included tours to the Free State and Cape Provinces and performances at the Cape Town City Hall. The Choir had also travelled to Johannesburg, Pretoria and Bloemfontein on several occasions and performed at a number of towns during its trip. In Durban, the Choir has performed in concerts at the Durban City Hall and the Playhouse. It has also travelled to all parts of KwaZulu-Natal, performing in towns such as Richards Bay on the North Coast, Margate on the South Coast and Howick in the Midlands.

Mr Trevor Llewellyn “We believe that through the medium of music, the one universal language, we will play our part in bringing peace and harmony to many communities in our country and to the people across the globe,” said Mr Trevor Llewellyn, a spokesperson for the Choir. The Choir had not been able to undertake another tour outside the country since 1989 because of financial constraints. Although financial constraints are still a problem, the Choir members want to renew contacts with counterparts in other parts of the world. “With our special brand of music and choral singing in particular we want to endeavour to encourage business and cultural links with other countries,” said Mr Llewellyn. “Inside the country we want to expand our horizons and achieve what we have done in KwaZulu-Natal.” The Choir, which is popularly known as “The Singing Men of Durban”, practices at the Umbilo Methodist Church every Tuesday evening.

Barry Tatton (who joined late in 1987), John Murphy (who joined at the beginning of 1987), Peter Spence, (who joined in 1977) and Iain Laing who joined in 1984). A senior member and official of the Choir, Mr John Murphy, said the Choir had its origins in the Durban Male Voice Choir which was started in the 1960s by a musical couple, Bill and Jill Randall. “The men’s section was directed by Dr John Pauw and, singing with the young voices meant that the men were limited to singing the Tenor and Bass parts. Accordingly, with the agreement of Bill and Jill Randall, the Durban Mens’ Choir was formed in January 1971 with the boy’s forming the Durban Boys’ Choir which, unfortunately no longer exists”, he said. Over the years the Choir had sung with Ge Korsten, Mimi Coetzee, Rina Hugo, Virginia Davids and, locally, with Colleen Philp. It had also sung with the erstwhile Durban Symphony Orchestra (conducted by Edgar Cree) and the Durban Philharmonic Orchestra. “Unfortunately none of the original members of the Choir were still members. Dr. John Pauw retired as Musical Director of the Choir at the end of 1999 and the current Musical Director is Miss Norraine Swanby, who took over at the beginning of 2000. “The longest serving member is Mr Peter Spence who joined the Choir in 1977. Our oldest member joined the Choir in 1985 and is now 85-years-old. “Because of the circumstances in the early 1960s and 1970s, the Choir started with only white members, but since 1990 the Choir attracted a number of members of other race groups.”

Miss Norraine Swanby Mr Murphy said the Choir raised its funds through membership fees and special fund-raising events. “The Choir charges a fee to sing at concerts during the year and each year, in November or early December, arranges a three-night Supper Theatre concert where the Choir members themselves and their wives run the event, including selling the tickets, cooking the supper, waiting on tables and running a properly licensed bar as well as singing a full concert. These concerts provide the main source of income. The Choir members pay an annual subscription to belong to the Choir. “When the Choir sings away from the Durban area, such as to Richards Bay, Margate, and Howick the fee is increased to cover some of the travelling costs. Any shortfall is covered by the members themselves.

“The Choir will be delighted, first of all, to recruit more committed members. The Choir members are either fully employed or retired and belonging to the Choir requires extreme commitment. Our goal is to increase the membership of the Choir to, at least, forty committed members. At present we have about twenty-six members who attend, sometimes erratically, practices and concerts,” he said. Mr Murphy said the Choir every year conducts concerts at retirement homes and raises funds for charity. “The Choir sings at no cost at retirement homes at least three times a year. The one regular free concert which we sing at is a Christmas concert at the Ray Hullett Centre in Acutt Street in Durban. On the Choir’s 40th anniversary in 2011, the Choir arranged a concert which was held in the Glenwood High School Hall and all the proceeds are donated to the Open Air School in Glenwood with the Choir bearing the costs.” Despite the challenging economic times, the Choir wants to do more to encourage school children and young people to foster the love for music generally and choir singing in particular. “We want to expand our horizons and contribute, through our music, peace, harmony and development of our communities and societies,” said Mr Murphy.