This article offers a South African perspective on the role of composers as an important link in the process of conductors selecting repertoire for children’s choirs. The following research question is explored: “What is the role of South African composers with regard to the challenges that conductors experience in their quest of choosing repertoire for children’s choirs?” In this qualitative study, various factors that influence the origin and nature of new compositions are examined. Methods of data collection include literature reviews, interviews and questionnaires.
South African composers as well as local and international conductors of children’s choirs were involved as respondents. Firstly, the composers were asked to reflect on personal aspects that play a role in their interest in composing choral music and that affect the nature of their compositions and, secondly, on their general opinion regarding the choice of repertoire. The conductors, in turn, reported on various role players that influence their choice of repertoire, and commented on the extent to which they include South African compositions as repertoire.
The author concludes that communication between composers and conductors is one of the key issues in the creative process of finding and expanding existing suitable South African repertoire for children’s choirs.
Die artikel bied ’n Suid-Afrikaanse perspektief oor die rol van komponiste as ’n belangrike skakel in die proses waarvolgens dirigente repertorium vir kinderkore kies. Die volgende navorsingsvraag word ondersoek: “Wat is die rol van Suid-Afrikaanse komponiste met betrekking tot die uitdagings waarvoor dirigente in die keuse van repertorium vir kinderkore te staan kom?” Verskeie faktore wat die oorsprong en aard van nuwe komposisies beïnvloed, word in hierdie kwalitatiewe studie ondersoek. Metodes van data-insameling wat gebruik is, sluit literatuurstudie, onderhoude en vraelyste in.
Suid-Afrikaanse komponiste sowel as plaaslike en internasionale dirigente van kinderkore is as respondente betrek. Eerstens is komponiste versoek om insette te lewer oor persoonlike faktore wat ’n rol in hul belangstelling in die komponeer van koormusiek en in die aard van hul komposisies speel en, tweedens, oor hul algemene opinie rakende die keuse van repertorium. Dirigente bied op hul beurt sienings aan oor die verskeie rolspelers wat hul keuse van repertorium beïnvloed, asook die mate waarin hulle Suid-Afrikaanse komposisies as repertorium in hul konsertprogramme insluit.
Die outeur kom tot die gevolgtrekking dat kommunikasie en interaksie tussen komponiste en dirigente ’n sleutelfaktor is in die kreatiewe proses van die keuse en uitbreiding van bestaande Suid-Afrikaanse repertorium vir kinderkore.
