The inspiring journey of Tapestry Choir told by its founder and conductor: Dalene Hoogenhout

We are thrilled to present an exclusive interview with Dalene Hoogenhout, the visionary conductor and founder of Tapestry Choir, established in February 2024. In this Q&A-style blog, Dalene shares her profound love for music, her journey as a conductor, and the inspiration behind creating Tapestry Choir. Join us as we delve into her passion for choral music, her dedication to fostering a harmonious community, and her vision for the choir's future. Through her insightful answers, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the artistry and commitment that drive Dalene and Tapestry Choir.

What inspired you to start Tapestry Choir, and how did it all begin?

Making a difference in people’s lives through the art of choir singing has always been a powerful motivator in my career and is the reason why I decided to start Tapestry Choir. Not only does it affect the choir members’ lives, but it also makes my own life joyful and exciting.

When you start an independent choir, one of the most important questions is where the choir will rehearse, and as I wanted Tapestry Choir to be a choir in and for the community, it was important to find a central location. I was very fortunate that Tapestry Choir was offered a space at a beautiful church in Parkview and so we became the ‘resident choir’ of St Peter’s Church, singing during their services once a month which makes this a win-win relationship.

Quite a number of my previous choir members knew about the new choir project, and they joined and became the choir's founding members. Since the start of Tapestry Choir in February 2024, we have held auditions and are steadily increasing our numbers to a capacity of 30 members.

Can you share some of the challenges you faced in the early days of the choir and how you overcame them?

When you start a new enterprise, there is always the little nagging voice in your head questioning whether this is the right time or the right way, but as I had had the dream of a community choir in my mind for the past 15 years, the doubts and questions were silenced by the belief and support I received from everyone around me.

Then the ball started rolling - with the rehearsal and performance venue being in place, the choir members arriving, and the vision for the choir becoming clearer, Tapestry Choir became a reality.

What is your vision for Tapestry Choir, and how has it evolved?

Tapestry Choir is a space where everyone is welcome, respected, and valued.

Through choral music, we share the emotions of the communal art of making music, learn to be humble in the interpretation of the music, put in the hard work to try to perfect it and have the discipline to persevere in a supportive and caring environment.

How do you select the repertoire for the choir, and what factors do you consider?

Repertoire choice is at the heart of a choir’s existence. It is determined by the mission of the choir. Tapestry Choir as an inclusive entity prides itself on its diversity. This diversity is manifested through the members and their backgrounds, home languages, ages and careers. It is also shown in the choice of songs the choir will be spending time learning.

The focus this year is on exploring the music of the different continents – 2 or 3 songs from Africa, a few from Europe, Oceania, Asia, and North and South America, and singing these songs in the languages they were written in.

Can you describe a particularly memorable performance or event in the choir’s history?

The choir doesn’t have much of a history yet seeing as it only started in February this year, but there have been a number of memorable events and performances in the past months. One of these is a particular rehearsal that went very well and the camaraderie in the choir was unmistakable – everyone felt as if they were at the right place with the right people. It was confirming my vision for the choir.

Our first performance during the church service at St Peter’s and the appreciation and gratitude shown to our choir by the congregation enhanced the mutually beneficial relationship we have.

And lastly, for now, our concert with the New Hampshire Friendship Chorus from the USA was spiritually and emotionally uplifting in a non-competitive and compassionate way.

What do you believe sets Tapestry Choir apart from other choirs?

I hope that it is our respect for the music and each other, our humility, our camaraderie, our diversity, our striving towards making excellent music, and our open-heartedness.

How do you foster a sense of community and teamwork among choir members?

Having a common goal, respecting and valuing each member, and having an open and supportive atmosphere sets the foundation for teamwork and belonging.

What are some of the most rewarding aspects of being both the conductor and founder of the choir?

I think the most rewarding feature of being the founder and conductor is that whatever I have envisioned for Tapestry Choir can come to fruition if I have the choir members share in this vision.

How do you balance your artistic vision with the practical aspects of running a choir?

Most importantly I must never lose sight of the reasons why I wanted to start this choir – to always stay true to the ideals, the mission, and the goals, and then to PLAN, and to be organised.

What advice would you give to someone looking to start their own choir or musical group?

Do it! There is a great need for more adult choirs where everyone can have the joy and thrill of making music.

My favourite quotation regarding my chosen career:

"What determines whether a musical performance is successful or not, is not so much dependent on the level of perfection or the tone of the instrument, but on whether the performer is able to carry away the listeners or not."

--Tone Bianca Dahl – The Choir: Singing, Leading, Communicating --

Tapestry Choir stands as a testament to the power of music to unite and uplift. Through its diverse repertoire and inclusive ethos, the choir has created a nurturing environment where members can grow both musically and personally.

The journey of Tapestry Choir is a reminder that with passion, perseverance, and a supportive community, dreams can indeed become reality.

As the choir continues to evolve, it remains dedicated to its mission of spreading joy and fostering a sense of belonging through the universal language of music. Here’s to many more harmonious years ahead for Tapestry Choir!