Soweto Gospel Choir
High School Series
nteresting Facts:
Soweto Gospel Choir The awe-inspiring, two-time Grammy® Award winning and 20-member ensemble, Soweto Gospel Choir, thrills audiences worldwide with their stunning blend of African gospel music, spirituals and American popular music. They will perform an abridged version of their program Songs of the Free. This very special program celebrates the centenary of the birth of the father of South Africa, Nelson Mandela.
South African Dress With its eleven official languages, South Africa, also known as the “Rainbow Nation,” is extraordinarily ethnically diverse, and traditional clothes are used to convey the unique culture. The colorful, printed and often beaded costumes reflect the nation in which a person comes from. The women’s clothing and accessories showcase the different stages of life, while the men, typically the hunters and warriors, wear more animal skins in their traditional garments.
Interesting Facts:
Repertoire Sabashiya Medley Ramasedi Umbombela Umandela Uth’ Aihlome Mkhululi Wethu Soweto I Feel Good Happy Day
About Nelson Mandela Nelson Mandela was a South African antiapartheid revolutionary, political leader, Nobel Peace Prize winner and philanthropist who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. Before he was South Africa’s first democratically elected President, Mandela spent many of his years in jail for fighting for a democratic and free society. In all, Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years, 18 of those on Robben Island, a rock quarry off the coast of Cape Town. Mandela died on December 5, 2013, at the age of 95 surrounded by his family.
Questions for After the Concert 1. The Soweto Gospel Choir performed a very special program celebrating the 100th anniversary of the birth of the father of South Africa, Nelson Mandela. If you could celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of someone you believe has been an inspiration, who would it be? Explain why you selected this person. 2. The Soweto Gospel Choir’s music is a blend of African gospel music, spirituals and American popular music. Identify another artist or group whose musical style is similar to that of Soweto Gospel Choir. Explain what makes the group similar to Soweto Gospel Choir. 3. The Soweto Gospel Choir’s performance’s purpose is to move and uplift the audience through the music of South Africa. Identify other musical artists who move and uplift you through their music. What about their music has an impact on you? 4. The Soweto Gospel Choir costumes are made of different colors and symbols from the different tribes in South Africa, incorporating their history, roots, culture and religion. Describe what a costume would look like if you were creating one representing your personal history, culture, and religion. We’d love to read your thoughts! Pick your favorite question and send your response to openingnights@fsu.edu.
Created in partnership with
The Florida Center for Reading Research (FCRR) is a multidisciplinary research center at Florida State University. FCRR explores all aspects of reading research—basic research into literacy-related skills for typically developing readers and those who struggle, studies of effective prevention and intervention, and psychometric work on formative assessment.