Young South African Artists unite to create “The Ultimate South African Song Medley” to thank healthcare professionals and other essential workers

Johannesburg - Young South African artists have joined together, in their individual homes and via technology during #LockDown to record The Ultimate South African Song Medley, as a “THANK YOU” to all the healthcare professionals and other essential workers who are putting their lives at risk on a daily basis in order for the rest of us to #BeSafe and to be able to #StayHome.

Adcock Ingram OTC’s Sponsors of Brave Campaign in association with Stageworx Performing Arts School, released a video of The Ultimate South African Song Medley to not only thank our “heroes who don’t wear capes”, but to uplift the nation through local music.

To quote one of the greatest heroes, Nelson Mandela;

“Music is a great blessing. It has the power to elevate and liberate us.

It sets people free to dream. It can unite us to sing with one voice.Such is the value of music.”

 

The Ultimate South African Song Medley integrates 28 of the most instantly recognizable classic South African songs from music icons across diverse genres from the last 50 years, woven into a seamless tapestry by Music Arranger, Maestro Extraordinaire, Bryan Schimmel, and performed by 50 students and alumni from Stageworx Performing Arts School in Johannesburg.

Music from Brenda Fassie to Kurt Darren, Mandoza to PJ Powers, Yvonne Chaka Chaka to The Parlotones, Miriam Makheba to Four Jacks and a Jill, Sonja Herholdt to Mafikozolo to name but a few – are all included to showcase the rich musical culture of South Africa.

Says Schimmel of the Medley;

“It’s very nostalgic. It gives people that “oh-wow-I-forgot-about-that-song” feeling. It introduces the youth of today to the wealth and heritage of great South African music that was produced long before they were even born. The result is a multi-cultural and cross-generational musical celebration.”

Gemma Marinus, Director of Stageworx Performing Arts School, explains the procedure of putting this video together;

“The brief was sent out to +/- 160 of our students (current and alumni) including some students that have already made a name for themselves in the Arts industry such as John Tsenoli, Phil Higgins, Yahto Kraft and Marianthe Panas.”

She continues: “Everyone jumped at the chance to be part of the project. All our students were sent harmonies and certain lead lines that they had to record at home on their cell phones and we were sent back all the recordings. From there, Matthew Marinus mixed all the vocal recordings and we sent back for everyone to record their videos (again on their cellphones). It was incredible to see the level of enthusiasm and talent that was sent through to us.”

Gemma concludes; “It is incredible how music and the arts is a complete leveller - it doesn't matter if our students are from affluent or underprivileged backgrounds, when they walk into class no-one is better than the next and everyone is there for their passion. The Ultimate South African Song Medley has been a performance piece that is much loved by our Stageworx students. One thing is for sure, we will be keeping our students busy during the lockdown with already planned online classes, workshops and more exciting projects - music and the arts is the one thing that will help every South African emotionally through these challenging times ahead, and it should never be underestimated. “

Adcock Ingram OTC Financial Director Yudhveer Singh applauds the youth as he describes, “It’s encouraging that even in these uncertain times, South Africa’s young people are energized to show the lighter and more optimistic side of life. The youth have united through our local, iconic music to celebrate all the healthcare and other essential workers that BRAVELY support our nation during this tumultuous period. The medley exudes fun, joy and nostalgia, allowing us as South Africans, a reprieve from the challenges that surround us.”

Yudhveer added, “A few weeks ago along-side News24, Adcock Ingram OTC launched ‘Sponsors of BRAVE,’ a campaign celebrating and sharing the stories of pharmacists, doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals who have gone above and beyond their day-to-day call of duty. This melodious compilation is a dedication to all South Africans doing the right thing and making a difference.”

Gemma Marinus sums up the eagerness of Stageworx Performing Arts School’s involvement in this project; “It is such a blessing to have a company like Adcock Ingram OTC help bring this medley to life. Through this medley, we want to encourage all South Africans to go to https://partners.24.com/SponsorsofBrave/ to nominate their heroic healthcare professionals in their community.”

To view The Ultimate South African Song Medley video, click here

#UltimateSAMedley

‘I learned that courage was not the absence of fear,

but the triumph over it.

The BRAVE man is not he who does not feel afraid,

but he who conquers that fear”

- Nelson Mandela -

Who is Adcock Ingram:

Adcock Ingram is a leading South African pharmaceutical manufacturer, listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. Our mission is to provide quality products that improve the health and lives of people in the markets that we serve. The Company manufactures, markets and distributes a wide range of healthcare products, and is a leading supplier to both the private and public sectors of the market.

Adcock Ingram Over the Counter (OTC) is ranked as South Africa’s number one OTC company (IQVIA December 2019) and are market leaders across many therapeutic categories. In addition to its own brands, the Company also markets well known international brands on behalf of its strategic partners. Adcock Ingram (OTC) promotes its brands responsibly to health care practitioners (HCPs) including Retail Pharmacists and Doctors and directly to Consumers where applicable. Adcock Ingram OTC’s portfolio of pharmaceutical brands contributes by adding value to the lives of many South Africans. For more information about Adcock Ingram OTC please visit: www.adcock.co.za

Why Sponsors of Brave:  

Adcock Ingram OTC’s ambition is to encourage all South Africans to identify other citizens in our country who are doing the right thing. It is everyone’s responsibility to uphold the values within our Constitution, in order to contribute and improve the landscape of our country.   Adcock Ingram OTC is creating a platform for all South Africans to express their admiration for our beloved Country by recognizing and celebrating fellow BRAVE SOUTH AFRICANS in the HealthCare Profession.

Who is Bryan Schimmel?

Multi-Award winner Bryan Schimmel is one of the top theatre and event music directors and arrangers in South Africa.

What is Stageworx Performing Arts School?

Stageworx Performing Arts School is headed by Gemma and Matthew Marinus and trains students from the ages of 7 – 25 years in all aspects of Performing Arts and prides itself on assisting children and young adults find their personal journey through arts training.

Stageworx has students from all walks of life, backgrounds and cultures and places emphasis on human development through arts education.

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For Interviews with Gemma from Stageworx, Bryan Schimmel, Yudhveer Singh (Adcock Ingram OTC), News24 and for any media enquiries please email annie@angelfishpr.co.za