The Ingoma Series
Musical Arrangements of much loved South African Classics
Versatile, Educational and Fun!
The INGOMA SERIES is a collection of versatile musical arrangements by renowned South African musicians crafted specifically for young performers.
As a music educator actively involved in the South African education sector, I, Alex Hitzeroth, have identified a significant shortage of accessible and documented South African music in schools. The Ingoma Series was created to fill this gap, celebrating our country’s rich cultural diversity and providing a resource to connect children with their heritage through music.
In a country with diverse languages, cultures, and musical styles, the Ingoma Series offers an engaging way for students to experience the uniqueness of South African music. “Ingoma,” meaning “song” in Zulu, perfectly encapsulates the essence of this series, which features beloved South African classics arranged for mixed musical ensembles. These fun, educational, and highly adaptable arrangements can be performed by groups of any size—from five musicians to full orchestras, empowering you to use them in various settings.
Ideal for school and community ensembles, the Ingoma Series is perfect for performances at concerts and festivals, or for groups of friends and family who want to enjoy playing together. The series currently includes eight titles, and we’re excited to announce that we’re regularly adding new pieces to the collection, so stay tuned for more!
The Ingoma Series Goes Digital
Ingoma Goes Digital was an innovative project that brought the Ingoma Series to life through virtual collaboration, allowing young musicians to continue performing and connecting during the challenges of 2020.
When the COVID-19 pandemic halted school ensemble rehearsals and live performances, Alex Productions—with the support of the Goethe-Institut—launched Ingoma Goes Digital.
This initiative enabled students from diverse backgrounds to individually record their parts for iconic South African music, which were then combined into dynamic “massed band” videos.
Despite being physically apart, talented young musicians came together in a unified celebration of South African music. Each student recorded their part remotely, and the videos were digitally edited to create a powerful ensemble performance, preserving the spirit of collaboration and music education.
The Ingoma Goes Digital project showcased pieces from the Ingoma Series, demonstrating the resilience and creativity of South Africa’s music community. These digital performances not only celebrated the dedication of young musicians but also highlighted how music can bridge distances and bring people together, even in the most challenging times.
Explore these digital performances to relive the joy and inspiration of this remarkable project.