By BRUCE DENNILL
Concert tour company Classical Movements will be bringing the University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra to South Africa for concerts in Johannesburg and Cape Town. Conducted by Kenneth Kiesler, the 110-member orchestra is touring with South African soloist Goitsemang Lehboye and 2025 Grammy winner Karen Slack and a programme of Bernstein, Dawson, Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, and South African and American folk music. Lehboye talks about her love for her craft.
What are the aspects of music that most appeal to or thrill you as a listener, from lyrics to arrangements to instruments used to production techniques? Are those the same things you try to focus on or honour in your performance?
As a listener, the lyrics and text are paramount for me. They tell the story, which I believe is my role as a singer to always convey a narrative. Technique is crucial, but when performing, I aim not to overthink it and the audience shouldn’t see or feel it. Additionally, as a singer, I focus on the production of sound, particularly the timbre and unique qualities of a voice, as it’s a vital aspect of expression.
Which aspect of being a musician comes most easily to you, and which requires the most discipline and practice?
Performing comes easiest to me because I love being on stage and sharing my passion with the audience. What requires the most discipline is constantly learning music, practicing, and maintaining my vocal technique.
Outside of the actual music, what is, for you, the most important part of a programme and how it is curated?
For me, diversity is essential. I aim for a programme where all audience members feel included and find something they can relate to. This means incorporating various music styles, tempos, and languages, ensuring a rich, inclusive experience for everyone.
Live performance: which artist or collectives have most impressed you in terms of what they deliver on stage?
So many artists and groups impress me. Leontyne Price, Jessye Norman and Maria Callas truly inspire me – their ability to immerse themselves in the repertoire and convey the emotions of each piece is unparalleled. Their ability to draw you into the emotional core of a performance remains a benchmark for me. Back home, I am deeply impressed by every South African artist out there in the world, fighting to make a living and build a career in a challenging field. I know the amount of dedication, hard work and resilience that goes into this career. When I see them on stage, they are as captivating and skilled as any singer from anywhere, delivering incredible performances in different languages we grew up not speaking. That’s incredibly impressive to me.
What role does music play in your life on a day-to-day basis – listening to it, writing it, practising it, buying and selling it, performing it, etc?
Music is a part of who I am. It’s not just something I do; it’s something I need and use in all states of emotion, whether I’m sad, happy, or reflective. For me, music is a calling; it’s all I know and what I want to do. I’m blessed to have been given the gift of a voice because music is a universal language that can unite nations and heal souls.
Being a soloist in a varied line-up – what is involved in staying focused while waiting for your turn in the spotlight?
Staying focused as a soloist in a varied line-up involves remaining grounded and ensuring I’m mentally and physically ready. It means keeping calm, staying connected to the music, and being prepared to enter the spotlight when my moment comes. And as my voice teacher Daniel Washington says, staying hydrated!
