Raising the bar, one note at a time
The recent Bank Windhoek Choral Celebration ended on a high note at Windhoek High School Hall, drawing standing ovations and praise from across the country. The event brought together choirs and conductors for a weekend of musical excellence, cultural exchange, and community upliftment.Centred on a capacity-building theme, the festival featured workshops and clinics led by South African conductor Renette Bouwer. With her wealth of international experience, Bouwer raised the artistic standard of the event, guiding three choirs through vocal technique, interpretation, and performance with a strong emphasis on Namibian identity.
The conductor’s workshop on 6 June saw 62 participants from nine regions, including ǁKharas, Erongo, Hardap, and Oshana. Bouwer was joined by local experts Ponti Dikuua and Bonnie Pereko. Dikuua, of Collective Singers, highlighted the importance of repertoire selection and promoting Namibian composers, while Pereko, conductor of the University of Namibia Choir, focused on choir management and music literacy.
Bouwer’s training emphasised tone quality, blend, and tuning, with practical exercises to improve choral cohesion.
Saturday’s programme featured choir clinics with Curro Windhoek Gymnasium Secondary School Choir, Healing Vocals, and Namib Camerata, led by Berenice Böck, Alex Shiwayu and Khoros /Howoseb. Their performances at the evening concert dazzled the audience and concluded the festival on a memorable note.
Ponti and Miriam Dikuua, event coordinators, described the celebration as a cornerstone of Namibia’s cultural calendar. “It offered both top-tier performances and meaningful learning opportunities,” said Dikuua.
Bank Windhoek’s Bronwyn Moody reaffirmed the Bank’s dedication to the arts. “The response has been extraordinary. We are proud to see choral music continue to unite communities across cultures and generations,” she said.