CANADIAN TOUR April / May 2008 PROGRAMME

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How it all started!

The cast was formed in Chiawelo, Soweto in 2005 when Canadian Musician Holly Wright and Businesswoman Carlene Shaw were introduced to Jimmy Mulovhedzi the choir master of the highly acclaimed corporate entertainers; the Holy Jerusalem Choir, who is also the son of David Mulovhedzi; the Musical Director of the world famous Soweto Gospel Choir, they met after a gospel concert which was performed by the latter at the Johannesburg Civic Theatre. Holly Wright wanted to re-record one of her songs with a South African Choir; the song is called “The world shall love again” which she wrote after the passing of her friend Dina who died of Aids.

After listening to the song; Jimmy was touched by its lyrical contents; and wasted no time in creating African harmonies and rhythm for it, he put together a group of singers from the Holy Jerusalem Choir and worked on the song, and when Holly heard what they did with the song, she became emotional as she couldn’t believe the talent and energy that the choir had, then she decided to let more of her songs to be re-arranged in the same pattern. Holly and the choir started to meet every weekend in Soweto for 3 hour rehearsals to create a unique sound for their songs. They came up with a wonderful repertoire which has a combination of South African and Canadian folk sounds.

During the days when Holly and the choir were meeting, a very strong bond developed between them. Holly became part of the Holy Jerusalem family. On the 30th of November 2005, Holly and 15 members of the choir traveled for 700km to Indawana; a small village in KwaZulu/Natal in which most of its population is infected with HIV and AIDS, they performed on the 1st of December (World AIDS Day) at the opening ceremony of a Community Centre and Clinic built by the villagers with the help of a team of Canadian Volunteers who conduct Charity Projects empowering the people of South Africa with skills to help themselves.

The Indawana show was a success, the singers were well received and an idea of taking the choir for international tours came about, with Canada as an ideal country to launch the project.” The World shall Love Again” song became the first to be re-recorded before Holly and Carlene went back home to Canada to make preparations for the tour.

How the Choir was selected and named!

The cast was selected from the 75 youthful and multi talented choristers of the Holy Jerusalem Choir based on their strengths, talents and availability for international tours and because of marketing purposes and the new sound that has been created, the cast were named Memeza Africa! (Shout Africa) by its Musical Director, Jimmy Mulovhedzi.

Let’s view the list of some of the many performances done with the Holy Jerusalem Choir!

The Holy Jerusalem Choir in its 20 years of existence has performed and collaborated with many artists, both local and international mostly in corporate functions and festivals. The Choir has also produced artists for international performers like The Soweto Gospel Choir and now they are releasing one of their best team Memeza Africa! to tour the world and touch the audiences with the Sounds of Soweto!