South African Choral Music (Amakwaya): Song, Contest and the ...

7.2 Choral Music, Performance, Discipline and the Role of Singing
since from the third Transvaal African Eisteddfod onwards, Pathfinders and Wayfarer groups were
given separate categories in which to compete. 39
Thus the house system, the Sunday schools and the Scouting movements constituted the scaffolding
on which a moral system was built. We turn now to look at the specific role of musicmaking
in imparting and consolidating discipline as an important element in the life-style of the
emergent black middle class.
7.2 Choral Music, Performance, Discipline and the Role of Singing
183
And it's my talent to sing... if you have the
talentyou must use it. Then where can I use
my talent if I can't use it in the choir?'o
I have argued that music and especially singing played a central role in the educational programme
of Adams College. The participation in singing was not restricted to a handful of enthusiasts. Every
student was encouraged and, to some extent, even expected to take part in various activities, ranging
from community singing and hymn practice, which was held on the weekend as a fixed item of the
school timetable,41 to singing in the various choral groups that operated even during the holidays.42
The organisation of concerts was undertaken on a regular basis in order to give the students the
opportunity to meet experienced performers. 43 A distinguished visitor, for instance, was the soprano,
Rose Alper, accompanied by Adelaide Newman, who gave a recital on 19 September, 1945. 44
Besides organising concerts the College frequently invited guest lecturers in order to foster the exchange
of ideas with other institutions. 45 One such visit is mentioned in a notice published in The
News of the week on 31 October, 1952: John Ngcobo who had just returned from a trip to England
"delighted the staff with a charming account of his study of music in England and his experiences
there and on the continent".46 A week after he had lectured on his experiences during his overseas
trip, John Ngcobo gave a song recital at the College. 47
The students obviously enjoyed the musical activities offered at Adams, which were of a high
standard, and quite willingly took part in them. 4S Right from their first day there they were introduced
into this rich musical life. It was a tradition to have at the beginning of each year a social
concert to welcome the musha (new students) to the college. Daniel Dube remarked on a Freshers'
Concert held in 1943 where he was thoroughly impressed when
39 Programme of the third Transvaal Bantu Eisteddfod, held inJohannesburg at the Bantu Men's Social Centre, December
11-15, 1933. (Africana Collection of the William Cullen Library at University of the Witwatersrand/Johannesburg);
for more information on the Transvaal African Eisteddfod see Chapter 8.1.
40 Jane Motlhabane, Bloemfontein Serenade Choir, Free State, questionnaire Cape Town NCF, December 02,2000.
41 See News of the week (August 10 -August 17,1945) and (February 1 - February 8, 1946).
42 Iso Lomuzi (November 1942): 8.
43 News of the week Gune 7, 1956); also (May 24,1956).
44 Ibid. (September 14 and 21,1945).
45 The News of the week mentions one such screening on May 15, 1953, when a ''bioscope'' with the title "Song of Love:
The Story of Schumann" with Kathrine Hepburn and Paul Heweid was presented to the students.
46 The News of the week (October 31,1952).
47 Ibid. (November 7,1952).
48 G. N. Munyama, "School Life at Adams". Iso Lomuzi (March 1940): 21.