The establishment for a Coastal Youth Choir was prompted by the need for the coastal youth to obtain tuition in music, and an opportunity to develop their musical skills and to expose their talents in a positive, modest and sensitive way. The members of the choir are chosen from all the high schools in Swakopmund, Walvis Bay and Arandis, including learners who reside at school hostels that come from rural areas, and University students from Windhoek.
Between 90-110 members receive tuition annually, some preparing to become good musicians. The diverse cultural background is reflected in the multilingual and multifaceted approach in their music repertoire. Apart from its growing musical ability, the choir’s appeal stems from its projection of sheer joy of song.
The Mascato Youth Choir is regarded in essence, as a macrocosm of the multicultural Namibian society which symbolizes a spirit of unity and diversity.
The choir has matured from an initial group of inexperienced teenagers to a polished team. They are frequently called upon to sing for visiting Heads of States, foreign dignitaries and various groups of tourist.
Between 1996 and2004, the Mascato Youth Choir has worked and performed with about 33 choirs from different countries like South Africa, England, Germany, France, Canada and even the Yale University Glee Club Choir from the USA.
The Helmhollz Kammerchor
from Karlsruhe , Germany.
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National Youth Choir Namibia
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Yale University USA
Glee Club Choir
Highlights:
In 1997 and 1998, the choir was the proud medal winner in two different international choral competitions in the RSA.
In 2000, the choir went on a very successful tour of Germany and France.
In 2001 and 2002 respectively, Mascato participated in two prestigious Gala Concerts, with high ranking South African Choirs.
In 2003, the choir went on a successful concert tour of Galicia in Spain, and represented Namibia at the 12th World Gymnaestrada in Lisbon, Portugal.
In 2004, Mascato hosted three distinguished choirs’ youth choirs from abroad, namely: The Kokopelli Choir from Alberta, Canada, the Port Elizabeth University Choir from South Africa and the Pro Cantu Youth Choir from Cape Town.
In 2005, Mascato was invited to perform in Cape Town by the South African Choral Society.
In 2006, the choir went on a successful concert tour of Alberta and British Columbia, Canada, along with their sister choir, Kokopelli.
In December, Mascato celebrated their 10th anniversary themed-The Past, Present and Future.
Repertoire:
Mascato sings and performs choral music over the whole spectrum - European Classical and Church music, folklore from all over the world to Jazz, as well as traditional music from Africa. Through traditional music, they reach out to people, especially visitors to Namibia whose interest is in the country is captured in an uncomplicated and genuine manner.
Multilingualism:
The choir sings in all the indigenous languages of Namibia and South Africa and songs from other countries such as Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Kenya, Nigeria, Cameroon, Uganda, Gabon, Malawi, and Benin. They also sing in European languages like Spanish, German, English, French, Latin and Portuguese, and Hebrew. Japanese and Maori songs also form part of their rich repertoire.
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