Concert Series
2024 NC ACDA Conference: Singing Our Stories

Mendelssohn's Elijah performed by the Charlotte  Master Chorale
Friday, October 4th 7:30pm, Gambrell Center, Queens University

Nobuntu, Zimbabwean A Cappella Quartet
Saturday, October 5th 7:30pm, Gambrell Center, Queens University 

Charlotte Master Chorale presents a semi-staged production of Mendelssohn's Elijah in partnership with the Charlotte Symphony, featuring bass-baritone Marques Jerrell Ruff, soprano Melinda Whittington, and singers from Arts Plus and Voices in the Laurel. This performance is presented in conjunction with the annual conference of the North Carolina chapter of the American Choral Directors Association.

Charlotte Master Chorale

Charlotte Symphony Orchestra

Arts Plus & Voices in the Laurel

Marques Jerrell Ruff, bass-baritone

Melinda Whittington, soprano

Kenney Potter, conducting

Nobuntu, the female a cappella quartet from Zimbabwe, has drawn international acclaim for its inventive performances that range from traditional Zimbabwean songs to Afro Jazz to Gospel. The ensemble’s concerts are performed with pure voices, augmented by minimalistic percussion, traditional instruments such as the Mbira (thumb piano) and organic, authentic dance movements. Nobuntu was nominated for Best Musician of the Year at the Zimbabwe International Women Awards in London in 2015 and are currently a two-time winner for the Best Imbube Group at the Bulawayo Arts Awards 2017 and 2019. In the last few seasons, the quintet has performed at festivals and concert halls in Italy, Austria, Germany, Belgium, the Czech Republic and throughout the African continent. The ensemble was a huge critical success at “Trans-Vocal” in Frankfurt and “Voice Mania” in Vienna. Their first tour to Canada, in 2016, included performances in Toronto, Winnipeg, Vancouver, and Victoria. The word Nobuntu is an African concept that values humbleness, love, unity and family from a woman’s perspective. The ensemble represents a new generation of young African women singers who celebrate and preserve their culture, beauty, and heritage through art. The ensemble’s mission is the belief that music can be an important vehicle for change, one that transcends racial, tribal, religious, gender, and economic boundaries. Back at home, Nobuntu holds a number of community initiatives, one of which is The Nobuntu Pad Bank where they gather sanitary pads for young women in the arts in underprivileged communities. Nobuntu has released three recordings – Thina in 2013, Ekhaya in 2016 and Obabes beMbube in 2018. The group has made dozens of television and radio appearances throughout Africa and Europe promoting these recordings and the culture of their homeland.