2014
Mandela Celebration Concert, Schenectady, NY My sister, Marie Bosman,
brought together hosts and performers to celebrate Mandela's life in her adopted
country, the US of A. I did the overall direction and wrote a special "Mandela
Song" for mass choir to cap the event, held at Proctor's Theater, Schenectady,
NY.
2011
International Aquarium Congress Opening, Cape Town Patt Garratt, CEO
of the Cape Town Waterfront Aquarium, saw a HA! show in the Baxter concert
hall and asked me to create and direct a strong opening for this congress,
with 500 international delegates. I made use of the Tygerberg Children's choir
as well as the Joyful Harmonies Choir from Gugulethu. Lara Kirsten perfumed
her poetry written for the occasion and i compiled a video track from material
given to me by various oceanographic specialists. Filmed interview clips were
also used to bring home the message that all life originated from the oceans,
and that the damage we are doing to it may spell our end.
2009
Voortrekkermonument 60the Anniversary Festival Concert The CEO of the
Voortrekker Monument, ex-general Gert Opperman, trusted me to draw together
a programme and performers of my choice to mark its 60th anniversary with
a festive concert. This was the one big project I lead that was an unmitigated
success. My focus was on Afrikaans music and poetry that reflected emotional
high and low points throughout the history of the Afrikaner. the inclusion
of performers of colour in this bastion of Afrikaner nationalism, drew backlash
from right wing elements, but was firmly pushed back by the ex-general. instrumentalists,
choir, poets and actors took part in a sweeping flow that culminated in the
song i wrote for the Afrikaner of the 21st century: "Afrikaner is my
Naam."
2004
Ukkasie Festival Gala Concert, Royal Albert Hall, London Like WOTY
2002, i was thrown into the deep end of commercial Afrikaans music with this
appointment. The massive (and drawn-out) event was or was not a success, depending
on whom you talk to. I gained invaluable experience in working on a project
of this magnitude and in one of the world's most loved concert halls.
2002
Woman of the Year National Awards Gala 2002 After the success of the
WOTY 2001, I was again appointed by David Moore to direct a new range of top
name singers, but this time from a much more commercial angle (including PJ
Powers, Karen Zoid and Jimmy Dludlo). It was not a success from my side. My
arrangements, except for one that later became "Beautiful Land",
was all eventually overrun by the performers in favour of live band accompaniment.
Yet my working relationship with David continued with smaller projects later
on.
2001 Woman of the Year National Awards Gala 2001 I was appointed by director David Moore to arrange some songs and to direct top local singers, including Sibongile Khumalo, Aviva Pelham and Gloria Bosman