CPUT CHOIR is surrounded by the sound of music, led by choir conductor, Vusumzi Tsham

Singing in harmony is not the only aim of our CPUT Choir conductor. Let’s see what he has in mind…

I am Vusumzi Douglas Tsham. Born in Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape.

I was born into a musical family, not only my parents but a generation of musicians. My paternal grandfather was a choir conductor and arranger, and my maternal grandfather was a pianist. I was surrounded by music all my life. Due to the fact that my father was a Pastor, I was introduced to choral music through the Old Apostolic Church where my father was a Pastor.

I do not have a specific favourite genre because I love music and to me genres are colours us “Artists” use to paint pictures.

The diverse ethnic groups and diverse cultures within the choir. The fact that the choir is a University choir it is not easy to have steady progress because students come and go. You can have a good choir this year and start afresh the following year, in terms of teaching technical knowledge.

I would incorporate other art forms such as drama, poetry and dance. Collaborations with other choirs and programs such as cultural exchange programs and work towards creating a choir that would be locally relevant and internationally respected.

At the age of 15 I received a certificate of recognition from the Old Mutual National Choir Festival for performing in the regional choir eliminations competition. That was an affirmation for me to decide to choose music as a career. I have a theory of music certificate from UNISA, an Advanced Certificate in music literacy from Stellenbosch University, and a National Diploma in Music from Stellenbosch University. One of my achievements was when I was appointed by CPUT in 2017 to be the university’s choir conductor. I regard this as an achievement because I was still an undergraduate student when I got appointed. In 2013 I attended and passed a song writing course at the Cape Town school of song writing, I got an opportunity to work with EMI record producer, Clive Ridgway, during the recording of Selim Kagee’s debut album.

Vusi Tsham, CPUT Choir Conductor

I have been invited to Maputo, Mozambique to teach music at the Xiquitsi cultural project.

I have been commissioned to compose music for Gauteng Choral Music Association (GACMA), Laerskool Eikestad and Stellenbosch Libertas Koor to name a few.

I am a member of the jury for the ABC Motsepe South African Schools Choral Eisteddfod (SASCE) and facilitated school choir conductors workshop. In 2021 I attended introduction courses to drama and poetry at the Nelson Mandela University for 6 months and worked with the Nelson Mandela University choir which subsequently performed one of my choral compositions “Siyabonga Mandela” during the graduation ceremonies. I have also worked with an American music director Kathy Smith during the “I will rejoice” concert in 2019. I had an opportunity to perform locally and abroad as a soloist and chorus member with the Stellenbosch University Chamber Choir (SUCC) during my undergraduate studies.

We welcome Vusumzi to CPUT and we look forward to hearing our choristers sing like angels.