Freedom Song: Project Description

Introduction: South African music has long represented the oppression of a black majority population throughout the years of Apartheid (1948-1994). Freedom Songs and their powerful impact on the resistance movement attracted the attention of international authorities at a critical time in South African history. This artistic repertoire is again emerging powerfully and poignantly as the South African nation rebuilds education, society and the arts.

Music’s unique role in the struggle for freedom and self-determination once served to disseminate information, promote unity, and express hope. Now, the Freedom Song genre has expanded to include messages of urgency for cessation of violence, educational awareness about HIV/AIDS, and establishment of South African traditional choral music as a cultural and national treasure. These endeavors have created new questions about what is considered “traditional” repertoire and what these newer and regenerated song forms and texts mean to people who sing and listen to them.


Research Objectives: I am sponsored by a Fulbright Scholarship, from the U.S. Department of State and Council of International Exchange of Scholars, to lecture and conduct research about South African choral songs of freedom, folkloric traditions and new compositions. During my six-month assignment, The University of Zululand and the University of the Free State are partner institutions contributing resources for my work in exchange for guest lectures and presentations. I am compiling an educational book of songs in each of the 11 official languages, selected by South African choirs, with introductory descriptions for each song contributed by South African musicians. The book will have a DVD of video recorded performances of choirs singing and moving. In addition to the book/DVD compilation, I will deliver workshops for American teachers on the topic of South African choral music and write articles for journals of music education. In my university courses, I will be able to teach about this powerful musical tradition based on my experiences with South African choirs.

Research Methodology: My research is based on interviews with singers and directors, music in South African music archives, and video recordings of South African choirs. “Freedom Songs” as I am defining them will include: 1) repertoire from the Apartheid era, 2) repertoire identified as freedom or protest songs by South African choral musicians, and 3) indigenous folkloric songs such as the Amahubo songs of the Zulu people. I have asked scholars, music directors, and students to serve as cultural informants, commenting on the music, and helping me to correctly translate text and interpret meanings of songs and their importance to South African people. Each informant will enter into an informed consent agreement with the researcher, signifying his or her willing participation with confidentiality and ethical understanding affirmed by his or her signature. It is noted that this is educational research and there will be no pay of any participants volunteering to be members of the study. If there are any profits after the expenses of the songbook are met, they will be divided equally among all the musicians who contributed, to be donated to their favorite charitable organization.