Calling worship leaders: chance to audition with Israel Houghton!

Grammy Award-winning American gospel superstar, Israel Houghton, will be in South Africa next week to conduct auditions for his New Breed Africa programme.

The open auditions will be held in Cape Town (Radisson Blu) on June 7th, in Durban (Coastlands Hotel Umhlanga) on June 8th and Johannesburg (Pyramid Convention Centre) on June 9th from 8am-8pm on each day and will choose vocalists for a New Breed Africa recording project in South Africa.

Based in Houston, Texas, along with his band the New Breed, Israel Houghton is known for his cross-cultural style of music that fuses gospel, jazz and rock into a unique sound. His most recent album, Love God. Love People, won best pop/contemporary gospel album at the Grammy Awards this year.

“Our focus is on championing the next generation of leaders in music, arts, culture and digital technology, to form a team that truly represents the heart, sound, culture and spirit of South Africa – the nation I deeply love,” says Israel.
Visiting South Africa for the first time in July 1994, Israel says he “was not ready for the emotion I was going to feel, which is relived every time I return” of his over 30 visits to the country.

The dream to record a live CD in South Africa was realized in 2005 and the Grammy Award-winning, gold selling album, Alive in South Africa, also ignited a greater dream to ultimately develop a group comprised of South African musicians and singers.
“Though gospel and worship music is at the core of who we are, we are interested in connecting all styles of music and cultures to form a united diverse sound. This is something that New Breed has been known for and will continue to pursue whole-heartedly.”

Hopeful candidates will go through a first round of judging with selected local judges and then a second round of intensive questioning with a panel including Israel Houghton.

“We want to empower, educate, train, challenge, and encourage musicians and singers alike to be part of something bigger than themselves. Our basic core values consist of a love for God and a heart to serve others in need and therefore are looking for people who possess a matched quality and passion for this as it will reflect in our music presentation.”

The auditions will be filmed to not only capture captivating stories but also build up content for a possible reality program on the making of “New Breed Africa”.

“Through a heart of service to others in the spirit of ubuntu we believe that this movement will change the way we have come to define music,” adds Israel who will also return in the first two weeks of August for more auditions.
For more information contact Lois Duplessis lois.duplessis@gmail.com 078 224 2597.