Sweet Serenaders getting ready for the choir battlefield
One big family – this is the nature of the North-West University (NWU) Serenaders, and the reason for a very wet welcome to new members at the Potchefstroom dam.
The level of the dam rose, the grass was soaked, and so were the choristers who huddled under gazebos, but their spirits were not.
Fostering friendships
The NWU Serenaders was established in 1994 and is known for its passion and dominance in choral competitions. The choir is one of the societies on campus and falls under NWU Arts. The Serenaders welcomed 30 new choir members on 1 March 2025, bringing the total number to 68, Lucky Moris, the new chairperson of the choir, said. He is second-year music student.
The choir draws members from all faculties on campus, according to Prof Conroy Cupido, director the School of Music, and many “singing students” in the school are also in the choir.
Auditions took place on 17 February 2025. Conductor Tshiamo Sekonyane said, “Not only first-year students are allowed to audition, but seniors are also welcome too. Obviously, you must have a voice for singing [to pass the audition].”
Fierce competition ahead
Reflecting on the welcoming event, Moris said: “It is important for us to get to know each other. We only have had, I think, a week or two since we met [for the first time]. This was the time where we say no ‘music’, no everything; let’s come and chill, get to know each other, get to bond [and] try and build that relationship between our choristers.” But Moris was disappointed that many members could not attend the events because of the weather.
The NWU Serenaders have big plans for 2025. Moris said the main goal is to “… have an inter-campus tour, where we involve Mahikeng and Vaal [Vanderbijlpark] campus, who have their own choirs”. The reason is to create a space where the choirs can share their challenges and help one another with issues such as funding.
They will take part in three competitions this year: the Tiro Mpane National Choral Eisteddfod in Klerksdorp, which the Serenaders was in third place nationally in 2024 after winning the North-West regionals; the Buang Moloto Choral Festival in Rustenburg; and the Battle of Municipalities Choral Finale in East London. Dates are yet to be confirmed.
Jaco van der Walt, senior manager of NWU Arts, said each arts society operates under its own student leadership, and benefits significantly from the support provided by NWU Campus Arts and SCC: Arts and Culture. NWU Arts helps with activities, events, and concerts, for example by assisting the society with event planning, and financial support.
Xolane Ramathebane, a first-year music student in the diploma programme, is excited and wants to become a soloist in the Serenaders. “I am thrilled to be part of this choir and want to stay part of it until I finish my years of studying at the university.”
Thando Buthelezi, also a first year in the diploma programme, said she is “looking forward to good music, travelling and winning competitions.”