The 2025 Bank Windhoek Choral Celebration, recently held in Windhoek, concluded with standing ovations and a shared spirit of harmony that resonated throughout the packed Windhoek High School Hall. This year’s event brought together choirs and conductors from across the country for a weekend of unforgettable music, community engagement, and cultural exchange.
The capacity-building theme brought to life an exciting and inclusive programme that gathered the best of Namibian and South African choral talent. The activities included a conductors’ workshop and choir clinics. It culminated in an unforgettable showcase featuring three talented choirs. A highlight of the event was the participation of the highly regarded South African conductor Renette Bouwer.
Bouwer’s extensive experience, international accolades and renowned expertise in choral music elevated the festival’s artistic standard. Bouwer was the main speaker at the choir conductors’ workshop, which took place on Friday, 6 June 2025. She went on to facilitate choir clinics with three participating choirs, offering invaluable guidance on technique, interpretation, and performance with a strong focus on the Namibian identity. With Bouwer ’s wealth of experience and passion for choral music, choristers agreed they benefited from her teachings.
The conductors’ workshop saw 62 individuals register, representing nine regions: ǁKharas, Erongo, Hardap, Kavango East, Khomas, Kunene, Ohangwena, Oshana, and Otjozondjupa Regions. At the workshop, Bouwer was supported by two local speakers: Ponti Dikuua, founder and conductor of Collective Singers, and Bonnie Pereko, conductor of the University of Namibia Choir.
Ponti and Miriam Dikuua, who assisted with the coordination of the Bank Windhoek Choral Celebration, shared that the event remains a key cultural event in Namibia, strengthening Bank Windhoek’s commitment to supporting the arts and fostering meaningful community engagement. “With everyone involved, the celebration not only showcased exceptional performances but also provided valuable educational opportunities for participants and audiences alike,” said Ponti.
Bank Windhoek’s Head of Stakeholder Engagement, Corporate Social Responsibility and Sponsorships, Bronwyn Moody, said that the Choral Celebration underscores the Bank’s unwavering commitment to supporting the arts industry, further cementing its role as a dedicated patron of creativity and cultural expression in Namibia. “The response from performers and audiences has been extraordinary. We are proud to see how choral music continues to connect people across cultures and generations,” said Moody.
Ponti explored the interpretation of various musical styles, emphasising that different compositions invite diverse interpretative approaches. He underscored the critical role of repertoire selection in shaping a choir’s artistic direction and the importance of acknowledging Namibian composers. He advocated for the intentional development of leadership within choirs.
Pereko shared insights into the organisational structures he has implemented within his choir to enhance administrative efficiency and long-term sustainability. Furthermore, he emphasised the importance of music literacy for conductors, noting that reading and understanding music is fundamental for overall musical excellence.
Bouwer’s presentation centred on the technical foundations of choral sound, focusing on developing tone quality, blend, and precise tuning within an ensemble. She offered a series of practical vocal exercises designed to improve the choir’s intonation, resonance, and overall sonic cohesion.
Mesmerising choral performances
Day two of the activities took place on Saturday, 7 June 2025, commenced with choir clinics conducted by Bouwer with the following choirs: Curro Windhoek Gymnasium Secondary School Choir, Healing Vocals and Namib Camerata. The conductors were Berenice Böck, Alex Shiwayu and Khoros /Howoseb, who stole the show with mesmerising performances.
Covering topics like vocal technique, musical interpretation, choral blend and balance, a choir clinic was hosted to provide focused, hands-on training and feedback for a choir. The selected choirs who participated in the clinics showcased their abilities at this year’s evening performance, marking the conclusion of the 2025 Bank Windhoek Choral Celebration. The choirs delivered exceptional performances, a perfect end to the Celebration.