The Black Tie Ensemble (BTE) is a South African opera company founded by Neels Hansen and Mimi Coertse with the intention of preserving and extending the operatic tradition, while providing opportunities for local opera singers. In 2002, during auditions for the company, it became clear that a training initiative was desperately needed for those talented young singers who had the passion and determination, but lacked the financial means to become opera singers. And the BTE's Incubator Scheme was born.
Members of the Black Tie Ensemble, the Incubator Scheme and the Black Tie Opera Chorus perform in the 2006 Four Opera Vignettes production of L'Elisir d'Amore by Gaetano Donizetti
Fondly known within the BTE as 'incubs', the Incubators are 20 talented youngsters between the ages of 18 and 25. They are chosen from many hopefuls at auditions each year to begin the intensive three-year training programme that imbues practical skills while enabling the youngsters to gain valuable experience. Each singer's voice is unique, with distinct nuances and variations, and so the training of each 'incub' is tailored by experienced teachers to suit the singer's particular vocal needs.
The Incubator Scheme meets the Department of Arts and Culture's (DAC) dual task of nation building and economic empowerment, by providing a nurturing space for cultural diversity and development that simultaneously gives marketable skills to disadvantaged members of the community and opportunities to earn a living while learning. As such, the scheme was chosen as a recipient of the department's funding, which goes a long way to ensuring the three-year completion of the development programme.
The first-year singing students currently undergoing training are: sopranos Mmasabata Maifadi, Melanie Wilson and Nomsa Mbatha; mezzo-soprano Nonkululeko Nkwinti; tenors Lazarus Molepolle, Thabang Nkhumise and Tshepo Dikale; and baritones Sipho Mlombile and Mziyanda Zitha. The second years are: sopranos Caroline Nkwe, Caroline Modiba and Lizeka Gceba; tenors Siya Makeke and Tshepang Wolf and baritone Owen Metsileng. Tshepo Dikale , from Ntsweng Section in Phokeng village, is the newest Incubator to join the BTE after being chosen at an audition at the Bafokeng Conference Centre on 18 March 2008. A determined young man, he became interested in opera while studying his matric at Moesi High School and is the conductor of a community choir in Phokeng. He intends to become either an opera singer or a music lecturer.
Mimi Coertse, co-founder of the BTE, commented that she was very impressed with the standard of talent they found at the audition at Phokeng and encouraged those who did not make it into the scheme to continue working hard. Elizabeth Mpoae of Kanana village, who is currently studying her matric, is expected to join the scheme next year.
Royal Bafokehg Holdings (RBH), which aims to become the world's largest community-based investment company, has pledged R2.4 million over three years to the BTE for sustaining the infrastructure to make a project like the Incubator Scheme possible. A substantial part of the funding is explicitly intended to enable the development of outreach programmes for schools and villages in the Phokeng area, in light of larger social development programmes.
From left to right: Phuti Matuba-Technical ; Thuto Thekiso- Technical; Selebatso Lepoqo - Design; Thami Mazwai- Technical
The invaluable sponsorship of the Department of Arts and Culture (DAC), and the additional support of Rand Merchant Bank, last year enabled the expansion of the programme to take in more students, particularly technical students. It had become apparent that not every student wished to pursue a career as a singer, and any performance is the collaborative effort of a number of individuals with diffirent skills working together. There is now room in the programme for a stage manager, a lighting designer, a costume designer, a décor designer and a theatre administrator, in addition to the singing Incubators. Thuto Thekiso, Thami Mazwai and Phuti Matuba are the technical students currently studying within the Incubator Scheme, and Selebatso Lepoqo is a design student.
The DAC's sponsorship also provides for the appointment of an administrative officer to oversee the process and to ensure that the government's aims and criteria are being met. This position was filled from the ranks of the Black Tie Opera Chorus by Nonhlanhla Yende.
The Incubators work six hours a day, five days a week, in addition to weekend work when there are performances. The students are given a week off in July and time off in December during which to visit their families,who often live far from Pretoria where the BTE is based. The classes range from music theory and singing lessons to movement and acting lessons. The distinct qualities of each singer's voice also require regular individual training by experienced mentors.
Singing lessons teach good posture and breathing control to first-year students, as well as scale exercises that develop the voice and pitch training. Once these skills are mastered, the students are taught arias in English and Italian, as well as French and German, to ensure that they are sufficiently familiar with the operatic repertoire.
The music theory courses equip the fledging opera singers with the basics of music. They are taught to read sheet music, as well as to play the piano. Theory classes also include a general music history programme that specialises in the background of opera and is developed according to the syllabi of Unisa (the University of South Africa), under which the Incubators will write their exams.
With a view to providing holistic experience, the Incubators also attend daily skills classes. These classes provide some background in movement, acting and aria analysis. Incubators are also given support in areas that will enhance their careers, including applying and studying for their driver's licences, and acquiring computer skills.
The lecturers and mentors of the various portions within the Incubator programme are chosen not only on the basis of their experience to convey certain skills, but also to imbue their students with a love and passion for opera, and music in general, that will last them a lifetime.
Antoinette Olivier tackles the music theory portion of the programme and Lionel Mkhwanazi, who has a Master's degree in Music from the Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, teaches singing to all Incubators. Vanessa Nicolau co-ordinates the Technical Incubators and Peter Terry is in charge of acting classes. Eric Muller is the Incubators' German lecturer, Cecilia van Vuuren is the Repetiteur and Beppie Beernaert stands out as the piano lecturer.
Passion alone is not enough to sustain an artist, no matter how talented. The Incubator Scheme runs an adopt-an-artist initiative, initiated by the Mazzone Family similar to that run for the members of the BTE company. This initiative allocates to sponsored Incubators R1 000 a month to cover living expenses. This serves as a supplement to the sponsorship provided by the DAC which provides a monthly stipend for each of the Incubators.
The Incubators gain practical experience during their training that will stand them in good stead once they have completed the programme. The fledglings perform regularly in well-attended Sunday Morning Concerts held at the State Theatre in Pretoria. The BTE Male Doublet Quartet is also made up of members of the scheme. While they are still in training, the Incubators are generally kept to ensemble work, although third-year 'incubs' are given the opportuinity to do solo work.
The Incubator Scheme teaches its participants the various responsibilities involved in theatre work and lays the groundwork for a solid work ethic that will successfully drive their careers. The members of the BTE are also ever-present as role models for the aspiring young singers, giving them valuable advice and support, as well as setting a high standard for the youngsters to meet.
Members of the Black Tie Ensemble entertaining children during 2007 October Royal Bafokeng Schools Tour programme
The long-term aim of the programme is to provide these talented singers, who otherwise would not have access to these opportuinities, with sustainable skills and practical experience, and to thereby enrich the music industry. Part- and full-time vacancies within the BTE are sourced first from the Incubator Scheme and other valuable initiatives supported by the company.
Soprano Goitsemang Lehobye, is an example of the opportuinities open to former members of the Incubator Scheme. She was recently offered and accepted, a full-time soloist position within the BTE. She entered the Incubator Scheme in 2005, during which time she was part of the chorus in Lucia di Lammermoor in 2005, the Four Opera Vignettes production in 2006, and Cavalleria rusticana and I Pagliacci in 2006, among others.
Ultimately the DAC and its policies are governed by the principle of social cohesion that is only possible through the cultivation of cultural diversity. The Black Tie Ensemble's Incubator Scheme, along with other similar programmes, successfully enriches the creative industries that define the soul of the nation, while providing talented individuals with practical skills and experience that will drive their careers. Definitely an initiative worth supporting.
