Songs that make the whole world sing: The multi-talented Ralf Schmitt is the force behind the highly successful Ndlovu Youth Choir that has seen it release its own recordings and videos and are now known internationally
Take us back to how the Ndlovu Youth Choir came about?
It was initially part of the vulnerable children’s programme in Moutse village in Limpopo. We decided to start this choir as a means of offering the benefits of music education and a world-class music education to young people in a rural community.
We started this choir and, as it progressed over the years, there was a word that began to haunt me when a young person would come for an audition. The first thing I always asked them was are you at school? I was trying to gauge who I was dealing with. A lot of them would say: “No, I’m just chilling.”
“Just chilling” became a very scary word for me, because just chilling means that they have either dropped out of school — there’s a very high school dropout rate among young South Africans — or they have not passed matric, or if they’ve passed the marks weren’t great enough for university entry.
In addition, even if their marks are good enough for university, they just simply didn’t have money to further their education. From that moment, I knew that it was my purpose to change their lives.
At that time we had this lovely group rehearsing twice a week and it would occasionally go to perform internationally for the donors who were supporting the programme. But we weren’t monetising it. The next question was how could we use the talent of these young people to generate an income for them? And that’s when, in 2018, the choir turned professional. We started performing all over the place, releasing recordings and videos. Then we were spotted by America’s Got Talent and, as they say, the rest is history.
What is the inspiration behind your music?
I would say mostly I was inspired by the first song I wrote for the choir titled, Believe. I was inspired by the journey of trials and tribulations that we had just been on as a choir. We were only getting started, but this is not the end. I think many reality TV stars struggle to translate the reality TV success into long-term sustainable success. I always tell them: ‘You got to believe in yourself. You’re now role models to other young people and you need to accept that responsibility.’ I was motivated by that to write Believe. I also wrote a song of hope, We Will Arise, during the pandemic.
Your dreams and hopes for the choir?
To see these young kids who used to come in for auditions wearing shorts and old shoes, and all of a sudden walking with smartphones and branded sneakers — I get a kick out of that. If I can pass on a work ethic and I can teach them to strategise, then I’ve done my part. My dream is to set them up in whatever career that they may wish to pursue, [and to ensure] they are equipped with the skills to thrive in that career.
My hope for them is the ability to look after themselves and break that poverty cycle. I hate the word poverty, because poverty just doesn’t break that cycle of a lack of economic opportunities or the colour of debt. They’re definitely not poor. There’s a lot of richness, wealth and beauty in that community. But if I could make a difference in that respect I think that would be wonderful.
How do you define success?
It doesn’t really cross my mind; I don’t think I put too much thought into it. I just continue doing what I do. Hopefully creating opportunities and working hard — I guess success comes with that. Also providing a platform for talent to shine. I think success is a multifaceted topic.
You know what, I wouldn’t like to achieve success in one discipline and not in the other. I wouldn’t like to have a string of billboards, but neglect my family. Or I wouldn’t like to have the choir earn phenomenal income and have great success, but half of the kids are drug addicts because of it. Therefore, to me it’s about counter-balancing the various facets of success. That to me would be true success.
Can you sing?
I suppose I could sing a little bit. Singing is what I’ve been doing my whole life. I was part of the Drakensberg Boys Choir for six years as a chorister. I went back as a student conductor; that’s where I actually decided to do music as a career in that year. I also worked there for a year after I completed school. I’m very fortunate now to serve on the board of the school. I’m still very much involved with the Drakensberg Boys Choir.
Can you give words of wisdom to young upcoming choristers?
My advice to young people is never stop believing in yourself. As cheesy that sounds, it’s a critical part of achieving it in this industry. I think the music industry is very difficult, but also young people have the most powerful tool at their disposal — and that is a cellphone.
Don’t worry too much if you don’t achieve success in your first second or third attempt. I’ve been working on releasing music for 15 years before anybody actually listened to it. Just keep going, keep believing in yourself and your art. People will eventually recognise it.
The other day, I was telling a friend that, five years ago, I was working on music and I’d write it and thought to myself that a few friends and family would listen to it, or it might get one or two plays on the radio, and that would be the end of it. Today it’s an absolute thrill working on a global production. But it didn’t just happen overnight, it was years of hard work, sweat and dedication.
What keeps you going?
I think the love, pride and joy of my wife and two boys. I’m a family man — my family is my absolute world. I enjoy wining and dining with my wife. I also consider myself very lucky to work with young people and to have a wonderful family at the same time. And in that sense the [Covid-19] lockdown had been wonderful, but corona must come to an end now. But at the same time there’s a small part of me that quietly enjoyed the lockdown. It’s been great being at home for almost two years.
So what’s next for the Ndlovu Youth Choir?
We’ve got a whole host of international opportunities lined up for 2022. We have to figure out which ones we’re going to do and which ones we will pass. Obviously we are going to be waiting for the lockdown levels to be relaxed; it’s not sustainable singing for a few.
In May, last year we transformed our rehearsal venue into a television studio. We’ve been doing virtual shows from there. It’s been a wonderful time to catch our breath and to make sure that the next few years are going to be great and in the best interests of the choristers.
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