Classical Movements, Inc. - South African Choral Festival

IHLOMBE SOUTH AFRICAN CHORAL FESTIVAL CONCERT VENUES

City Hall, Pretoria

City Hall has been described as one of the most impressive architectural designs in Pretoria. The façade's monumental bell tower combines classical elements, such as the pillars and heavy ledge work, with the neo Cape Dutch design, Art Deco. Its especially heavy doors and windows bring light to the Cape Dutch workmanship. The chandelier in the main hall is one of the city's most beautiful examples of Art Deco style.

City Hall is a grand venue with its wonderful large pipe organ dominating the stage. As one of the biggest organs in the world, this majestic symphony pipe organ has 7,000 talking pipes and 142 different registers spread over five manuals and pedals. Except for Sydney, this is the largest in the Southern hemisphere.

Regina Mundi Catholic Church

The church encapsulates the spirit of resistance and is rich in political history. Regina Mundi, Soweto's largest Catholic Church, has always been a spiritual haven for thousands of Sowetans, and it has also played a pivotal role in the township's history of resistance against apartheid. Anti-apartheid stalwart Dr Nthato Motlana once described Regina Mundi as "not just a church - it is the people's church, the church of the nation". Regina Mundi, whose name in Latin means Queen of the World, has quietly offered its protection to those struggling for liberation.

Grace Bible Church

Begun 21 years ago as one of the first charismatic churches in Soweto, with a membership of 20 adults and their children, Grace Bible Church has now grown to more than 4 200 members. Its 5 000-seater multi-purpose centre, with its landmark, elongated spine across its roof, is now an imposing presence in Pimville. "We wanted a building that breaks away from the conventional church look so people don't feel intimidated to come," Pastor Mosa Sono says. Breaking from the tradition of formal services, the church services at Grace Bible Church are animated and vibrant with much focus on the church's choir.

The Linder Auditorium, Johannesburg

The Linder Auditorium, home of the Johannesburg Festival Orchestra and Symphony Choir of Johannesburg, is a prominent concert and cultural venue widely recognized for its acoustic merits. It comfortably seats 1,060 people; common events range from concerts and choir festivals to ballets, lectures and seminars.

University of Cape Town - Baxter Theatre

The Baxter Theatres present ballets, operas and orchestral performances. The 638-seat Baxter Concert Hall in the adjacent Baxter Theatre Centre complex, with its outstanding Von Beckerath organ, is an important performing venue for the University of Cape Town. It is one of the major live theatre venues in Cape Town and has always been at the forefront of the performing arts both as a popular venue and as a leading producer.

Cape Town City Hall

The imposing Italian-style City Hall is built out of sandstone and designed in the Italian Renaissance style. The City Hall was the last major Victorian building to be erected in Cape Town. The mosaic floors and marble staircase leading up past the stained glass window, commemorating King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, are magnificent, as is the organ with 3,165 pipes, especially planned for the hall by Norman Beard, and is one of the finest in the country.

Stellenbosch University

Stellenbosch University has many options for performances, one such location is the Endler Hall. The Endler Hall has excellent acoustical characteristics and has been acclaimed one of the finest concert halls in the world. It is equipped with a Marcussen tracker-action organ with 44 stops, three manuals and pedal, and it can seat 556.

St. George's Cathedral

From understandably colonial beginnings, St George's Cathedral emerged through the darkest of times for South Africa as a truly international symbol of challenge, inspiration and freedom. This noble heritage was continued when it became a place of refuge during the Apartheid and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, head of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, held his services here.

Artscape Opera House, Cape Town

The Opera House seats 1,187 and has an orchestra level as well as a balcony. It is part of the Artscape Theatre Centre, which is South Africa's first multi-purpose centre for the performing arts. The auditorium was designed with a continental feel where the seating is curved and steeply raked for maximum viewing. This venue is known for its higher level of comfort, due to plenty of leg room around the plush burgundy velvet-covered seats and spatial exits. The sight lines are exceptional, and the outstanding acoustics are due to the American Walnut wood used throughout the auditorium.

St. Hubert's Church

The church was established in the first ever black township in Johannesburg, and it played a central role during the apartheid years as political meetings were often held there under cover of the church. Just prior to 1994 the final meeting held here led to the negotiations that brought change to this country with the abolition of Apartheid and the first democratic elections.

Numerous Schools and Township Churches

Itinerary subject to change
Venues are tentative and may be replaced with similar alternatives