The Soweto String Quartet will perform at the opening ceremony of the 1st Unisa International Flute and Clarinet Competition on Sunday 2 February at 19:00 in the ZK Matthews Great Hall.
The Soweto String Quartet, sometimes affectionately known as SSQ, has performed around the world as Ambassadors for the new South Africa during the last few years.
SSQ is not an ordinary classic music ensemble. Their music does not have a conventional string quartet sound but is uniquely African. It has a unique blend of traditional rhythms, township jazz, mbaqanga, pop songs, jazz-fusion and strong classical influences.
SSQ is made up of three brothers: Reuben, Sandile and Thami Khemese, and a bosom friend Makhosini Mnguni.
Sandile secured a place to study music at the Darlington College of Arts in England after a performance of SSQ in Scotland.
He then went on to attend the Royal Northern College of music in Manchester for a period of four years. In 1986, armed with new music skills, culture, language and life-style, Sandile returned to a music starving South African society, and the SSQ was reborn.
They have reached an estimated 20 million people through album sales since the band’s inception.
The reach to loyal album collectors as well as new audiences through dedicated projects such as the 2006 Gospel Album saw sales of more than 50 000. Their recent Afrikaans Album went platinum after a week of sales.
The Unisa Music Foundation is proud to present the Soweto String Quartet, a world renowned South African brand, at the opening night of the prestigious Unisa International Flute and Clarinet Competition.
The competitors and adjudicators will be introduced to the public during this event.
Entry to the concert is free.
For more information please call 012 429 3311 or visit the website: www.unisa.ac.za/musicfoundation.
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