Namibian choir to visit IU on first American tour

The University of Namibia Choir will visit IU classes and give a performance this week as part of their first-ever American tour. The performance will take place from 7:30 p.m to 8:30 p.m., in the Grand Hall of the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center. The choir, with conductor Bonnie Pereko, will visit Yale University, Rutgers University and IU as part of a tour sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, said Shawn Reynolds of the IU International Resource Center.\nThe choir was created in 1997, according to a press release. Members sing traditional four-voice a capella, occasionally accompanied by drums or a small band. The choir's repertoire consists of religious, concert, traditional, and folk music, according to the release. They sing in all Namibian languages -- six African and three European (German, English, and Afrikaans).\nReynolds said IU has an ongoing relationship with the University of Namibia (UNAM), through which faculty and administrators are exchanged to help shape UNAM's administration and other aspects of the University. However, this will be the first time students have visited either university, \nTwo IU choirs will take advantage of the opportunity to meet with the choir members. Monday afternoon, the UNAM choir will teach some of their songs to the International Vocal Ensemble, a choir directed by Mary Goetze, that recreates music from outside the Western tradition. Goetze said the public is welcome to attend this class meeting, which will take place from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Monday in Sweeney Hall, Room MU015 in the Simon Center. Afterward, choir members will answer questions and talk to those in attendance.\n"We're looking very forward to interacting with (the choir) on a personal level," Goetze said.\nThe UNAM Choir will also visit the African American Choral Ensemble, directed by James Mumford, Tuesday.\nMumford said he believes this will be an opportunity for his students to hear African music fused with the Western tradition, which came from the European influences that reached Namibia in the last few centuries.\nLocated in southwestern Africa, Namibia was annexed by Germany in the late 19th century, and remained under German rule until the end of World War I, when the League of Nations transferred leadership of Namibia to South Africa. Namibia received further European influence from missionaries who taught the people to sing in harmonies in the Western tradition, Goetze said.\nMumford said he believes the UNAM choir will show a mix of both indigenous African music and European influence.\n"They will probably sing gospel or spirituals, but of course their singing styles are different from the way that African-Americans do it in this country," Mumford said. "But, it's still indicative of African influence. (My students) will be able to see things from the African-American style that derive from the way the Africans sing," \nThe choir, which mainly sings four-voice pieces a capella, or without instrumental accompaniment, will greet the public Monday after the show. Audience members will have the opportunity to meet with choir members, who will answer questions about their music, their country and various other topics.\n"It's an opportunity for people of different cultures to learn about each other through their music," Mumford said.\nBoth Mumford and Goetze expressed enthusiasm about the show.\n"I just think it will be a treat for everyone to hear the group," Goetze said.\nFor more information about the event contact The Indiana University Honors College at 855-3555. \n-- Contact Staff writer Melissa Harrold at By Melissa Harrold \nIndiana Daily Student \nThe University of Namibia Choir will visit IU classes and give a performance this week as part of their first-ever American tour. The performance will take place from 7:30 p.m to 8:30 p.m., in the Grand Hall of the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center. The choir, with conductor Bonnie Pereko, will visit Yale University, Rutgers University and IU as part of a tour sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, said Shawn Reynolds of the IU International Resource Center.\nThe choir was created in 1997, according to a press release. Members sing traditional four-voice a capella, occasionally accompanied by drums or a small band. The choir's repertoire consists of religious, concert, traditional, and folk music, according to the release. They sing in all Namibian languages -- six African and three European (German, English, and Afrikaans).\nReynolds said IU has an ongoing relationship with the University of Namibia (UNAM), through which faculty and administrators are exchanged to help shape UNAM's administration and other aspects of the University. However, this will be the first time students have visited either university, \nTwo IU choirs will take advantage of the opportunity to meet with the choir members. Monday afternoon, the UNAM choir will teach some of their songs to the International Vocal Ensemble, a choir directed by Mary Goetze, that recreates music from outside the Western tradition. Goetze said the public is welcome to attend this class meeting, which will take place from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Monday in Sweeney Hall, Room MU015 in the Simon Center. Afterward, choir members will answer questions and talk to those in attendance.\n"We're looking very forward to interacting with (the choir) on a personal level," Goetze said.\nThe UNAM Choir will also visit the African American Choral Ensemble, directed by James Mumford, Tuesday.\nMumford said he believes this will be an opportunity for his students to hear African music fused with the Western tradition, which came from the European influences that reached Namibia in the last few centuries.\nLocated in southwestern Africa, Namibia was annexed by Germany in the late 19th century, and remained under German rule until the end of World War I, when the League of Nations transferred leadership of Namibia to South Africa. Namibia received further European influence from missionaries who taught the people to sing in harmonies in the Western tradition, Goetze said.\nMumford said he believes the UNAM choir will show a mix of both indigenous African music and European influence.\n"They will probably sing gospel or spirituals, but of course their singing styles are different from the way that African-Americans do it in this country," Mumford said. "But, it's still indicative of African influence. (My students) will be able to see things from the African-American style that derive from the way the Africans sing," \nThe choir, which mainly sings four-voice pieces a capella, or without instrumental accompaniment, will greet the public Monday after the show. Audience members will have the opportunity to meet with choir members, who will answer questions about their music, their country and various other topics.\n"It's an opportunity for people of different cultures to learn about each other through their music," Mumford said.\nBoth Mumford and Goetze expressed enthusiasm about the show.\n"I just think it will be a treat for everyone to hear the group," Goetze said.\nFor more information about the event contact The Indiana University Honors College at 855-3555. \n-- Contact Staff writer Melissa Harrold at By Melissa Harrold \nIndiana Daily Student \nThe University of Namibia Choir will visit IU classes and give a performance this week as part of their first-ever American tour. The performance will take place from 7:30 p.m to 8:30 p.m., in the Grand Hall of the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center. The choir, with conductor Bonnie Pereko, will visit Yale University, Rutgers University and IU as part of a tour sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, said Shawn Reynolds of the IU International Resource Center.\nThe choir was created in 1997, according to a press release. Members sing traditional four-voice a capella, occasionally accompanied by drums or a small band. The choir's repertoire consists of religious, concert, traditional, and folk music, according to the release. They sing in all Namibian languages -- six African and three European (German, English, and Afrikaans).\nReynolds said IU has an ongoing relationship with the University of Namibia (UNAM), through which faculty and administrators are exchanged to help shape UNAM's administration and other aspects of the University. However, this will be the first time students have visited either university, \nTwo IU choirs will take advantage of the opportunity to meet with the choir members. Monday afternoon, the UNAM choir will teach some of their songs to the International Vocal Ensemble, a choir directed by Mary Goetze, that recreates music from outside the Western tradition. Goetze said the public is welcome to attend this class meeting, which will take place from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Monday in Sweeney Hall, Room MU015 in the Simon Center. Afterward, choir members will answer questions and talk to those in attendance.\n"We're looking very forward to interacting with (the choir) on a personal level," Goetze said.\nThe UNAM Choir will also visit the African American Choral Ensemble, directed by James Mumford, Tuesday.\nMumford said he believes this will be an opportunity for his students to hear African music fused with the Western tradition, which came from the European influences that reached Namibia in the last few centuries.\nLocated in southwestern Africa, Namibia was annexed by Germany in the late 19th century, and remained under German rule until the end of World War I, when the League of Nations transferred leadership of Namibia to South Africa. Namibia received further European influence from missionaries who taught the people to sing in harmonies in the Western tradition, Goetze said.\nMumford said he believes the UNAM choir will show a mix of both indigenous African music and European influence.\n"They will probably sing gospel or spirituals, but of course their singing styles are different from the way that African-Americans do it in this country," Mumford said. "But, it's still indicative of African influence. (My students) will be able to see things from the African-American style that derive from the way the Africans sing," \nThe choir, which mainly sings four-voice pieces a capella, or without instrumental accompaniment, will greet the public Monday after the show. Audience members will have the opportunity to meet with choir members, who will answer questions about their music, their country and various other topics.\n"It's an opportunity for people of different cultures to learn about each other through their music," Mumford said.\nBoth Mumford and Goetze expressed enthusiasm about the show.\n"I just think it will be a treat for everyone to hear the group," Goetze said.\nFor more information about the event contact The Indiana University Honors College at 855-3555. \n-- Contact Staff writer Melissa Harrold at mejharro@indiana.edu.