Ofentse Pitse grew up wanting to be an artist. It wasn't until her final year in matric that she settled on studying architecture, a decision she made after her uncle told her that artists die poor. She was also a keen follower of the lifestyle program Top Billing, which used to feature a segment of luxurious houses. Not once did she think that she'd one day be the first Black woman in South Africa to own and conduct an orchestra, or be one of the youngest to do so on the continent. She also didn’t imagine that Alicia Keyswould hand-pick her to conduct a 74-person orchestra comprising women of color from different parts of the world, or that she'd team with Kabza de Small for a first-of-its-kind amapiano extravaganza.
The 32-year-old Pretoria-born conductor credits her mother with instilling the resilience that has enabled her to achieve so much in the little time that she's been practicing professionally. Pitse's family was active in the Salvation Army, which is how she found herself playing trumpet for its brass band.
She says that conducting happened organically — from starting her own choir to adding one instrument after another, and then finally setting up the entire ensemble in 2019. Pitse, whose 40-piece orchestra (and 25-person choir) is called Anchored Sound, counts her home country's leading conductors Thami Zungu and Gerben Grooten as mentors.
Pitse tells OkayAfrica about her early influences, her routine in the lead-up to a concert and her long-term goals. The transcript bellow has been edited for length and clarity.
Photo courtesy of Ofentse Pitse.
Ofentse Pitse says that conducting happened organically.
Ofentse Pitse: I was as young as 8 years old when I became aware of what music does to people within a space of gathering. My mom and her friends would gather almost every second weekend. There would be food, music, and fashion. I subconsciously observed the texture of music that was played as the day progressed. I always knew which songs would be played before everyone dispersed. I believe that’s where I developed an observation of the impact that different facets of art have on people.
With that said, that’s how I am able to merge various worlds together. The common element in every human being is spirit, so my aim is to always move people by being a conduit to the craft, I don’t just perform.
I became a conductor organically, I’m tempted to even say ‘spiritually.’ I started my own youth choir after having attended a few school choral competitions. From there, I decided to add a few instruments at every rehearsal, and the ensemble got to the size where it needed a conductor. That’s when I started DMing some of the conductors I followed, in search of a mentor. The year was 2019.
Photo courtesy of Ofentse Pitse.
Ofentse Pitse likes that society is steadily embracing orchestra and classical music.
What I like the most about my work is how society is increasingly viewing orchestra, choir, and classical music — as a space they would like to participate in. A space where they too, can be represented. What is most challenging about my work is how I have to adapt different briefs that sometimes stretch me beyond whatever limits I thought I had. How I overcome these challenges is by ensuring that I am really prepared and do my homework. I genuinely do not stop until I get it absolutely right. Even if it takes me longer than anticipated. I really put my ten thousand hours in.
My routine leading up to a show consists of a lot of isolation. I limit being overly-stimulated because my mind gets placed in this capsule where I’m fully living in the music that is being curated. I don’t listen or view anything on streaming sites. I also try to get a full day's rest at least a day before. I ensure somewhat of a proper diet so that I don’t fall ill. I limit my social media presence. I also do a lot of praying.
I would like my community to be able to see themselves beyond where I come from. I would like to see an orchestra ensemble being started in the next year, or at least an interest in classical music training being ignited. I feel that would create a better quality of community if young people were taught these skills. I would love to start an initiative of this nature, but it needs people, in order to make it work. It is part of my long-term goals.
- Rebeca Omordia: 'Nigeria Could Be the Center of Classical Music in West Africa' ›
- Listen to Toumani Diabaté's Neo-Classical Song 'Mamadou Kanda Keita' ›
- Nigeria’s Classical Music Scene Finds a Younger Audience ›