Meet our 1st Spectacular Vox Pianist: Eugene Joubert #Vox_Tribe
Q: Tell us a bit more about yourself. (Where do you come from, where did you study, why do you love accompanying a choir):
A: I completed my music studies at the Shepherd School of Music, Rice University in Houston, Texas in 2009. There I completed a master’s degree in collaborative piano, which included everything from accompanying singers and instrumentalists, to playing piano in the orchestra when needed, as well as for opera scene productions and choir performances.
Q: What is your day job? A: I am Head of Piano Studies at St Mary’s School, Waverley in Johannesburg.
Q: How do you experience working with and accompanying the Vox Chamber Choir?
A: I have loved all of our collaborations. There is such a unique energy present between all members of the choir, where everyone is individually focused on bringing their best to performances. This creates the magic that I always experience when listening to the VCC or when playing piano during a performance.🤩
Q: What has been your most memorable experience with Vox to date?
A: The #Vox_Tour to Cape Town in 2022 was a wonderful experience, and I really appreciated the thoughtfulness that was applied to making this experience filled with fun and good music.
Q: Which piece is your favourite that you have performed with Vox Chamber Choir? A: "Vuurbees" by Franco Prinsloo. This piece is so hauntingly moving that I always have an emotional experience when hearing it. Listen to it here:
Q: What do you look forward to the most with Vox Chamber Choir in the coming future?
A: To any and all musical collaborations. I know Franco’s music will always inspire me.❤️
Q: How do you experience Franco's compositions for the piano/celesta and choir? A: Apart from their obvious beauty, I am astounded by his writing for the instrument which is so well-suited and comfortable to play.
Q: If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
A: To be able to read & watch Nordic noir books, movies and tv series in their original language (see below).
Q: What are you reading/binge watching at the moment:
1. Reading – Yrsa Sigurdardóttir’s “The silence of the sea”;
2. Watching – The Bridge (Nordic Noir crime thriller).
Q: Name another hobby/interest you participate in? A: I am a qualified pastry chef and practice this skill as often as I am able to.🍰
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be and why? A: Sweden and Norway. I have been fortunate to tour to Denmark for concerts in 2015 and will do so again in April 2023. The other Scandinavian countries are high on my to-do list. You have to go and see "Kruis van Liefde" on 15 March, Kruis van Liefde, live at NG Universiteitsoord, Pretoria. Get your tickets here. You do not want to miss this magical choral experience: https://tickets.tixsa.co.za/event/kruis-van-liefde-vox-chamber-choir 📸 Photo Credit: The beyond amazing, Yolandi Jacobsz - Loci Photography Conductor and Composer of the Vox Chamber Choir: Franco Prinsloo Composer/Conductor
