Sankofa brings African music to Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival

In 2006, Sankofa, whilst still at Wits University’s School of Arts, was selected by the Music Division to represent Wits at Stellenbosch University’s International Chamber Music Festival.

You couldn’t even imagine the excitement. After a year and a half training ourselves at the school, with no supervision from any of the professional teaching staff (as there wasn’t an African music teacher or practitioner in the Division at that time), and having gained much success on Wits’ East & West Campuses playing at various celebrations, ceremonies and faculty parties, the Music Division saw fit that Sankofa represent the school at this prestigious South African CLASSICAL music festival…

WHAT? you say…Sankofa, at a classical music festival? Certainly, music is a flowing, unbounded thing, not necessarily closed off by the whims and definitions of people’s opinions, yet, as clear as night is not day and day is not night, Sankofa doesn’t play classical music…at all! But we were selected…having been told that we were the best ensemble at the school in many years, and worthy of holding our own at a classical and chamber music festival with immense young talent from all over the world, and particularly affording the opportunity to young South African classical musicians to learn from the best teachers in the country and from various countries worldwide.

And so, Sankofa’s first tour began, a memorable journey indeed! This following video highlights one of the many pieces we created with the Stellenbosch University’s Percussion Ensemble, headed and trained by renowned percussionist and Stellenbosch Music Department lecturer Suzette Brits. This one’s just an appetizer…we’ll be covering some of the most memorable moments of the festival Sankofa enjoyed, rehearsal footage, and some interesting tidbits…so the Sankofa in Stellenbosch Tour series is just beginning…

Please share your comments with us on what you think of this song…we played it in one of the smaller auditoriums within the Konservatorium at Stellenbosch University’s Music Department/School…they use this auditorium, which has a built-in sound studio/recording equipment, to uplift community musicians without access to quality recording and studio facilities, a truly admiral initiative…and this really is a fantastic sound studio…it’s a great acoustic venue as well, as we’re sure you’ll hear. To learn more about the project itself, check out The Groove Project .

For more of Sankofa’s videos, check out our videos here.

Always remember, “It is not wrong, or shameful, to go back and fetch what you have lost” – SANKOFA!