When the Faculty of Health Sciences Choir first lifted its voices five years ago, it was not just the start of a musical journey, it was the beginning of a community that would transform student life on the Prinshof Campus.

The choir’s inception can be traced back to its founder, Mpumelelo Manyathi, who was then serving as a cultural advisor to the UP Camerata. His first encounter with the Faculty of Health Sciences occurred during a Camerata performance at an event attended by the Minister of Health and the SABC.

“I was amased by the campus and the number of healthcare professionals present. This was clearly a faculty pioneering the university’s future,” Manyathi recalls.

His connection with the campus deepened the following year when he worked with students at Curlitzia and Tuks Bophelong on UP Acapella. “I interacted with students from all schools under the faculty and was astonished at the sheer amount of talent,” he says. A dean’s musical concert showcasing Prinshof’s acapella groups proved to be pivotal, planting a seed for something bigger.

Mpumelelo Manyathi

Motivated by growing research on the psychological and cognitive benefits of choral music, especially for stressed university students, Manyathi pitched the idea of forming a faculty choir to the then Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Prof De Jager, and Faculty Manager Karen du Preez. They embraced the proposal enthusiastically.

“The university places huge emphasis on student well-being, both physical and mental,” Manyathi explains. “Music is a universal language in our country. The idea was to create a space where students from different schools could interact, build relationships, and step away from their daily routines.”

The choir quickly blossomed into a vibrant community. Over the past five years, it has grown in size and sound, performing at interfaculty events and building a rich repertoire that spans genres, cultures, and languages.

Yet its core purpose has remained unchanged. “We’re not trying to create a world-class choir, we’re trying to create world-class people who understand the value of community,” Manyathi says.

What sets health sciences students apart as choir members is their compassion. “They care and go the extra mile in helping one another, musically or academically. Their bond isn’t easy to challenge.”

Many students choose the choir not only for musical reasons but because they seek belonging. “This is a space where you can come as you are, without fear of being judged,” he says. “That sense of acceptance is powerful.”

With academic demands often running high, choir rehearsals become a refuge. “Choral music allows students to express themselves in ways words fail. Rehearsals help them release stress and anxiety through relatable songs and community.”

Some of Manyathi’s most cherished memories come from watching final-year students, especially those who joined as first-years, take their last bow. “Seeing their growth into young adults is truly heartwarming.”

Another special moment was the previous dean’s Christmas message, when he joined the choir in singing festive songs. “It made the students feel seen and celebrated.”

This year’s UP Choirs Concert marked another milestone: the choir’s first opportunity to share the stage with other faculty choirs from the Hatfield Campus.

As the youngest choir in UP’s choral network, the Faculty of Health Sciences Choir has grown through collaboration and shared learning. “We’ve shared stages, singers, and musical ideas with the Hatfield choirs. We observe, learn, and seek advice from other conductors on management and performance.”

Manyathi describes the choir’s identity as warm, welcoming, and deeply communal. “Students feel safe, comfortable, and happy here,” he says. But beyond the music, he instils a sense of discipline and efficient work, skills students carry into other parts of their lives.

Manyathi hopes to see the choir expand its membership and deepen its presence across the faculty. “I hope the faculty continues supporting the choir and using it as a tool for unity and community, both within and beyond the campus.”

In a space defined by scientific rigor and demanding schedules, the Faculty of Health Sciences Choir stands as a testament to the healing power of harmony, reminding students that they are part of something larger, both in song and in life.