The Cape Winelands-based a capella choir Canticum Novum is bringing its unique sounds to the West Coast.
Specialising in sacred music, the inspiration for its name and motto comes from Psalm 98: “Sing to the Lord a new song!” (Cantate Domino Canticum Novum).
The choir is currently on tour on the West Coast and will entertain audiences with a repertoire ranging from Rachmaninoff’s “To Thee, o Lord” to Christopher Tin’s “Baba Yetu” and much more. Its 2023 tour will lead the choir to Paternoster, Laaiplek, Clanwilliam and Van Rhynsdorp.
In addition to presenting an annual a cappella programme of music spanning more than four centuries, Canticum in its alumni formation also performs choral and orchestral works on a regular basis, among them Händel’s Messiah and Mozart’s Requiem, which led to tours of Germany and the USA.
Canticum’s main objective is to be an outreach choir, of which its annual tour is an integral part. Apart from singing at church services and presenting concerts the choir also sings at old-age homes, children’s homes and prisons, where it strives to pass the love of God on through song.
The choir has been under the direction of Yolanda Botha since 2019. She is an active performer, choir and orchestra conductor as well as music director and founder of the concert Series Classical Sounds. Bennie van Eeden, renowned pianist, accompanist and retired Stellenbosch University lecturer, has acted as accompanist since 2022.
Canticum’s performance at Die Koelkamers in Paternoster will take place on Thursday 27 April at 12:00. Entrance is free. To find out more about these concerts, please visit the choir’s Facebook page “CanticumNovumStb” or send an email to canticumnovumstb@gmail.com.
