Soweto Gospel Choir

The Soweto Gospel Choir is dedicated to sharing the joy of music and celebrating the unique and inspirational power of African Gospel music. The choir is made up of talented musicians from the many churches in and around Soweto. It’s heading to Wellington this summer with a new concert, ‘Hope’.
 
The songs and anthems performed in ‘Hope’ come from the freedom movement of Nelson Mandela’s South Africa and Martin Luther King’s America. The concert begins with a rousing programme of South African freedom songs. The repertoire then echoes back in time to the USA, with beautiful renditions of the protest music of the Civil Rights Movement. Expect to hear works by legendary artists James Brown, Sam Cooke, Stevie Wonder, and  Aretha Franklin.
 
The Soweto Gospel Choir has won three Grammy awards and received acclaim for its powerful renditions of African-American spirituals, gospel, and folk music. The Scotsman says, “Nothing can really prepare you for the riot of exuberance and depth of emotion.”
 
‘Hope’ is part of the Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts. Held every second year, the 2024 festival runs from 23 February to 17 March. The festival features free and ticketed events including dance, music, theatre, visual arts, literature and more.