Vaal Tri Ensemble
Coert Grobelaar (Vocal Coach)
Coert Grobbelaar is an inhabitant of Johannesburg since birth. After completing his studies in law at RAU, he joined the SAPD where he worked in the law department for six years. During this time he performed regularly with the police orchestra and initiated a Music Gala evening to raise funds for charity.
Grobbelaar made his debut as an opera tenor in 1988 with the Première of Fidelio, performed by the Roodepoort Civic Theatre directed by Weiss Doubell. Many other parts in well-known operas followed.
In 1994 Grobbelaar decided to continue his vocal training in München, Germany. There he studied under the Tyrolean tenor, Mario Filzi. He also received master classes form the internationally acclaimed Bulgarian tenor, Nicolai Nicholov. During his stay in Europe he performed concerts in Germany as well as in Padua in Italy. One such a performance was during the celebrations of the 950th year of the city Mindelheim. The performance was broadcast live over the Bavarian Radio. After his last performance of the Afrikaans song entitled “Onder die Suiderkruis” (under the Southern Cross), Grobbelaar decided to return to South Africa. Back in SA he worked for Petcar productions and performed with the actors-couple Karel Trichardt and Petru Wessels in a production of word and song, commemorating hundred years after the Anglo-Boer war.
Grobbelaar worked with the Black Ties ensemble for a year and during this time he also performed as guest artist at the swan song concert of the New Arts Philharmonic Orchestra, the resident orchestra of the former PACT Opera. He has worked with actors like Annette Engelbrecht , Rika Sennett, Marga van Rooy and Magda van Biljon in many productions for arts festivals all over the country. In 2008 Grobbelaar was invited to perform with Laurika Rauch , Karel Trichard and Petru Wessels in a concert at the Voortrekker Monument in celebrating the opening of the Afrikaner Art Centre. In 2010 Grobbelaar and Dalien Ahlers from the Hoërskool Drie Riviere Conservatoire started a project called the Vaal Tri ensemble. The project focuses on the development of vocal talent amongst less-fortunate youngsters in the Vaal Triangle area.
In 2012 Grobbelaar participated in the celebration concert to honor Mimi Coertse on her eightieth birthday, at the Universty of Pretoria. Coert Grobbelaar is also a founder member of a new opera society called Sempre Opera and is currently on the management team of the company. He and Linette van der Merwe is the representitives of Sempre Opera on the South Africa National Opera Association (SANOA).
An Afternoon with Coert Grobbelaar and Vaal Tri Ensemble
Coert Grobbelaar (Vocal Coach) – Dalien Ahlers (Piano)
A unique concert featuring lieder and opera sung by Coert Grobbelaar (tenor and vocal coach) and male members of the Vaal Tri Ensemble. They are accompanied by Dalien Ahlers (piano).
There is a great need for good tutoring in vocal training in South Africa. Young adults listen to song recordings and try to imitate the sound they hear without realizing that it takes years of training to sing like Placido Domingo or Celine Dion. The result is that incorrect techniques are used and, voices that were promising become permanently damaged.
The Vaal Tri Ensemble was the initiative of Mr Coert Grobbelaar and Mrs Dalien Ahlers. The project started in 2007 and provides an opportunity for promising young singers to receive classical vocal training. They found various sponsors from the community to support the project. The project was advertised in the local newspaper for candidates to audition and the response was overwhelming. Since 2007, twenty-eight young adult singers from the area of the Vaal Triangle had the privilege to receive excellent tutoring. Ultimately most of them passed the Gr 8 exam in Singing from Trinity Guildhall College of London and three singers completed the Associate Diploma in Singing at this established music institution. Four singers are currently working on their Associate Diploma. Two singers passed their auditions and are currently at the NWU in Potchefstroom, studying music.
This project enables young singers to start their own career in singing. Some of these singers performed at prestigious events. In 2010 some of our learners were selected to sing the anthem during the opening of Soccer City and many other high profile events.
Friends of Wakkerstroom – This performance was sponsored by NOLANDS PTA Inc: Auditors