Carols on the Piazza at Melrose Arch Features Mzansi Youth Choir

Melrose Arch is headlining their annual Destination Christmas celebration with another stellar edition of Carols on the Piazza on Saturday, 23 November 2024. This year’s event features the Mzansi Youth Choir who just came fresh from their global acclaim on America’s Got Talent and known for sold-out shows across the world. And more importantly, the funds raised for the concert will help bring a touch of sparkle to those who face challenges with vision.

What to expect at Carols on the Piazza

Set in Melrose Arch’s vibrant piazza, Carols on the Piazza will offer audiences the chance to sing along to cherished Christmas classics with the beloved choir, whose powerful voices captivate audiences. Surrounded by the stunning glow of Melrose Arch’s renowned festive lights – the biggest and brightest display in Johannesburg – attendees can expect a truly enchanting evening as the choir’s harmonies blend with the twinkling night sky.

Embracing the spirit of the season, all who attend this glorious evening will be helping to give the gift of sight.

A fundraising concert for a good cause

This year, Melrose Arch’s Carols on the Piazza aims to give back to the community by raising funds for the visually impaired and proceeds will be shared between two beneficiaries. The South African Guide Dogs Association, that breeds, trains, and places both guide and service dogs, empowering individuals with visual, physical, and developmental disabilities to lead more independent lives.

Then, guide dog owner, Cornelle Leach, who suffers from Stangardts Dystrophy and requires a second surgery to restore her vision, will also benefit. Leach works at a company in the precinct and has inspired South Africans with her perseverance and bravery, in aiming to restore her sight, by pursuing electro stimulation therapy, that incorporates new advances in biotechnology.

“Carols on the Piazza is an event we look forward to hosting every year at Melrose Arch—not only because it’s a wonderful gathering filled with beloved songs, joy and unity, but also because it enables us to help uplift those in need,” says Khanyi Moyo, Marketing Manager at Melrose Arch. “Investing in our community and being a friend to those in need is at the heart of what we stand for. Providing a platform for South Africans to come together for the greater good, by embracing the festive spirit of generosity, is the driving force behind this special evening.”

More about Mzansi Youth Choir

The Mzansi Youth Choir is a vibrant South African choral group established in 2003 to provide talented young singers from diverse backgrounds with a platform to showcase their vocal abilities. Based in Johannesburg, the choir includes youth aged 14 to 24 from various regions across South Africa, and they are known for their dynamic performances that fuse traditional African music with contemporary genres.

The choir is celebrated for its distinct sound, rich harmonies, and high-energy performances, blending elements of pop, jazz, gospel, and traditional African music. Mzansi Youth Choir’s repertoire often includes traditional South African songs sung in multiple languages, including Zulu, Xhosa, Sotho, and English, alongside covers of popular international hits.

Throughout the years, the choir participated in numerous global music festivals, appeared on international stages, and performed with major artists such as Shakira, Josh Groban, and Andrea Bocelli. Their rendition of “Weeping” with Josh Groban brought them international acclaim, highlighting their talent and versatility.