MBABANE – Eswatini choir conductors recently participated in an intensive workshop and masterclass held in Roodepoort, South Africa, on November 14 and 15, 2025.
This specialised training was strategically timed as a preparatory effort for the upcoming Tiro Mpane Foundation National Choral Eisteddfod Finals competition.
The two-day masterclass, a key component of the TMF-NCE, offered Eswatini’s Choral leaders a rare opportunity to sharpen their technical and artistic skills under the guidance of renowned Choral experts. The TMF-NCE, which includes regional eliminations and a grand final featuring top ensembles from across Southern Africa, including Eswatini, emphasises high-level performance and the preservation of cultural heritage through song.
Conductors engaged in focused sessions covering advanced conducting techniques, score analysis, rehearsal pedagogy, vocal health and had a chance to rehearse with the orchestra.
The large choir conductors included Mbabane Methodist Church Choir Conductor Menzi Gule, Manzini Choir conductor Khonelinkhosi Dlamini, His Majesty’s Correctional Services Choir conductor Melisizwe Zwane, Dolce Harmony Chorus conductor Nathi Kunene and in the standard category choir, Pure Voices conductor Gabazi Nxumalo.
In an interview with Gule, he mentioned that about 35 conductors from all over the SADC region were in attendance. Each conductor had a chance to work with the orchestra and receive feedback from the technical facilitators, Maestros Robert Maxym and Michael Dingaan.
“The workshop also saw a draw of the order of performance during the finals and it was done by the conductors in attendance,” he said.
He explained that as a choir preparing for the competition, they believe that a draw can place you anywhere in terms of the order of performance, but it should never compromise the quality of the performance. “So for us as a choir, we are more focused on the quality of the performance than where the draw has placed us,” he said.
The finals, which are expected to be held in South Africa, at Sun City Superbowl or Ellis Park Arena in December 2025, will see the Eswatini choirs battle against the best from South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho and Zimbabwe.
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