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THE BLOEMFONTEIN MEN’S CHOIR

Since May 2000

Few Words About

THE BLOEMFONTEIN MEN’S CHOIR

The Bloemfontein Men’s Choir, BMC, is a Christian, non-profit organisation and now a PBO, public benefit organization, consisting of 25 members, the Accompanist and the Choir Leader. The Choir has no political or cultural affiliations and, therefore functions independently.

Emphasis

performing arts

The main objective of the choir is to advance the performing arts with an emphasis on their love and passion for the performing arts, specifically choral singing. Significant importance is placed on vocalisation and the breathing techniques of our members, as well as their ability to read and appropriately interpret sheet music. Music history and accidence are also intercommunicated to members from time to time.

OUR MISSION

The Mission of the Bloemfontein Men’s Choir

To introduce the culture of our people of South Africa to other countries
To promote, support and develop choral art
To identify talented performers, choirs, vocal ensembles and teachers
To attract the attention of children, youth and adults to vocal choir creativity
Establishment of new friendly contacts among participants of the competition-festivals from different countries, the mutual rapprochement of people and nations, possibility to exchange experience for teachers, leaders and conductors of choirs.

FUN FACTS

We are Always Ready for A Challenge

YEARS
EXPERIENCE

PERFORMED
SHOWS

CHOIR
MEMBERS

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May 2000

founder of the BMC

Mrs Ansphi van der Walt

Ansphi’s involvement in music started at the age of 6 years. After she matriculated in 1965, she went to the now North West University in South Africa and completed her Degree in Music. She furthered her studies at UNISA and obtained the Licentiate in Choral Music/ Conducting and School Music. She also received a Diploma in Military Orchestra from the SADF as a Military Bandmaster and is a qualified organist. She built a career in Teaching and Choral singing.

She started her teaching career in 1970 up until 2004. In all her teaching years, she won numerous prizes at Eisteddfods as the Conductor of her School Choirs. She organized an International Choir tour with the Grey College Primary Choir.

The Grey College Primary School Choir took part in International Competitions that were held in Germany and Italy. Throughout her career, she has acted as Conductor of the School and Men’s Choirs. Under her leadership, Grey College Secondary School in Bloemfontein obtained the highest marks in competitions each year and was appointed as the Best Boys Choir in South Africa. She had several Boys in the Free State Youth Choir and the S.A. Youth Choir during her career as a Teacher.

In May 2000, she founded the Bloemfontein Men’s Choir. Under her leadership, the BMC actively participated in various Churches, Choir Festivals and Eisteddfods and Productions. In 2014, the BMC had the opportunity to compete in Llangollen, Whales, at the International Choir Competition and represent South Africa. The BMC received Second Place in the Category “Men’s Choirs” The highlight of the Eisteddfod was representing South Africa in a concert that was dedicated to South Africa, and at the end of the Concert, we had a standing applause.

Ansphi enjoys spending time in nature and engaging in activities like cycling and walking or simply being outside. She completed 16 Argus Tours (Cape Town Cycle Tours). She is also a keen hiker and has done the Fish River Canyon three times and most of the other big trails in South Africa. She also hiked the Camino de Santiago four times. She has the skills, knowledge and constitution to be safe in the outdoor environment that she has chosen to recreate in.

In Ansphi’s years as Choir Conductor of various choirs, she believes in the timeless art form that transcends the boundaries of time and culture, touching the deepest recesses of our soul’s choir singing. We are reminded of the remarkable power of music to connect us on a level beyond words.

Are You Attending?

Upcoming shows

The choir comprises multiple independent voice categories, namely 1^st Tenor, 2^nd Tenor, Bariton, Bass and when musical composition/performance so warrants, Countertenors.

All our members are otherwise gainfully employed students, and their discipline to BMC is, therefore, voluntary. Despite the diverse backgrounds and various employment disciplines of our members, we all share a unifying passion and adoration for choral singing, which has been the single biggest attribute of our overall success.

Board Memebers

Management Team

Members of the BMC elect a Management Team internally: the team consists of a Chairperson, Secretary and an additional member together with the Choir leader and the Accompanist.

The management regularly meets to discuss matters affecting choir operations and, if necessary, convenes ad hoc meetings with all members. An annual meeting is held at the beginning of each year to inform members of the strategic direction of the choir, scheduled performances for the upcoming year and fiscal matters.

The Objective

Bloemfontein Men’s Choir

It is the objective of the Bloemfontein Men’s Choir, BMC, to allow men of all cultures in Bloemfontein and surroundings to partake in spectacular Choir Programs.

Our aim is to allow everybody to be part of a program of singing, in an all inclusive spirit. We are also involved in the training of voices for underprivileged choirs and make sure that they are also included in our Choir festivals and activities.

We take hands by combining the different choirs into one choir and give a high performance concert while each choir also have the opportunity to perform its own program.

New friendships

Choir Members

New friendships are made, while the choir members learn how to show respect and tolerance towards one another. Choir singing is hard work and requires structure and discipline, but commitment to the program, through the great pleasure that singing together at a high level will be ensured. The choir members learn about each choir’s cultures and sing with absolute joy! The

Choir members learn that through good teamwork, good rewards will follow, and that will also enrich them in many walks of life.

Safeguarding

South African music

The Bloemfontein Men’s Choir aims to sing classic and contemporary South African music of all cultures but also wants to include works of composers of different time frames: from J.S. Bach to Eric Whitacre to Alberto Grau and also Chen Yi.

There will always be folk music from different parts of the world in our programmes. Furthermore, the BMC wants so make a contribution to the safeguarding of all our Traditional songs in all our eleven languages. Our voices, music, a talent given to us by God. A medium and a platform and a way to spread a message of righteousness a message of love, a message of unity.

Positive Ambassadors

Bloemfontein and South Africa

The Bloemfontein Men’s Choir ,BMC, strives to be positive ambassadors for Bloemfontein and South Africa wherever we perform, on the one hand by executing outstanding choir work and ethics, and on the other hand, by expressing our attitude of excellence and inclusiveness. The BMC wants to explore our vocalists to a variety of music: the music of our country, our continent and our world.

OUR LATEST RECORING

Die donkie

The Afrikaans song “Die Donkie” ,meaning “The Donkey”, sung by Chris Blignaut, was originally composed by Cissie and Willie Cooper and released in 1969

CONCLUSION

Music is a powerful instrument

A moral law is the art of our souls. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and charm and gayety to life and everything. Music can change the world because it can change people. Music is the greatest communication in the world; even if people don’t understand the language that you’re singing in, they still know good music when they hear it.

The true beauty of music is that it connects people. It carries a message, and we, the musicians, are the messengers.

Music is forever; music should grow and mature you, following you right on up until you die. Music is an agreeable harmony for the honour of God and the permissible delights of the soul, J.S. Bach.