Assoc Prof Sindile Patrick Tikolo
PDO Cape Town Graduate Artist Certificate, MMus Southern Methodist University
Vocal Studies
Patrick is an Associate Professor and Head of Vocal Division at the South African College of Music, University of Cape Town (UCT), his Alma Mater where he obtained a Performer’s Diploma in Music. Soon after finishing his diploma, he was recruited by Professor Barbara Hill-Moore to further his studies at the Meadows School of the Arts of The Southern Methodist University in Dallas, USA. This is where he received his Graduate Artist Diploma and Master of Music Degree in Voice.
Patrick was born and bred in the Eastern Cape, at Zwelitsha near King William’s Town. He finds pleasure in conducting choral and opera singing workshops all around the country for local, church and school choirs including universities. Most recently, he conducted a Masterclass for solo voices during the Choral Music Federation of South Africa (COMFESA) symposiums, which held at Artscape in Cape Town and Rustenburg Civic Centre.
As a choral enthusiast, he contributes significantly as an adjudicator, music clinician and mentor to choir conductors and singers. He has served in various South African Choral spheres. Patrick served as an Artistic Committee Member of the Standard Bank National Arts Festival. He was as a Board Member of the Cape Town City Ballet as well as Fine Music Radio Station, where he also served as a presenter of the African Choral Sound, the choral program he founded himself. He serves as an external examiner at universities like Stellenbosch and Free State and Tshwane University of Technology.
As soloist, he performance repertoire extends from opera and oratorio to German lieder, Russian, French, and Italian songs. His major operatic appearances include the title roles in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro, Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi, Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess etc. In oratorio, he has sung almost all the standard repertory starting from Bach, Handel, Mozart up to Mendelssohn and Faure. His CD, “Ain’t Got Time To Die”, was launched last year at The Mirriam Makheba Auditorium - Fort Hare East London branch.
As a teacher, Patrick has seen many of his students assuming significant roles on both the opera and concert stages locally and abroad. While some are active opera stars, gracing world stages through singing opera roles and competitions in programs like Placido Domingo’s Operalia, The Hans Gabor Belvedere, Houston Grand Opera, Neue Stimmen world singing competitions, some assumed teaching careers. He has taught and done masterclasses here in South Africa, Namibia, Sweden, and USA.
Patrick continues to make positive influences both as an artist and as a teacher, making sure he creates platforms for the singers with potential, irrespective of their background. He will continue to chase his vista of making sure that this art form is accessed by many, especially those that were previously disadvantaged.