11 October 2022
Covid-19 changed so much about the world, including taking away the opportunity for boys in the performing arts to step on stage. Thus, it was with great excitement that the Kearsney College Choir undertook a mid-2022 tour of Europe, which was highlighted by the boys winning the Male Choirs category at the Summa Cum Laude International Youth Music Festival in Vienna.
The Kearsney boys faced eight other entrants, including two each from Germany and Italy, and other entrants from Switzerland, Spain, Israel, and Bulgaria, each of which represented music schools or junior orchestras.
Performing a high energy programme, which showcased their versatility, the boys delivered popular African pieces, supplemented by Austrian, Spanish and Croatian songs, to a very appreciative audience.
Support from South Africa
It included South Africa’s Ambassador to Austria, Slovenia and Slovakia, Mr Rapulane Molekane. Following their winning performance, he congratulated the Kearsney College Choir and thanked them for promoting South African culture.
Thanks to Kearsney’s success in the competition, the boys were then able to perform their repertoire at the Gala Winners Concert a couple of days later.
After missing the 2020 and 2021 World Choir Games, because of Covid-19, it was a thrilling experience for the 53-strong Choir, who were accompanied by five members of staff – Director of Music, Bernard Kruger; Music Department staff members, David Langley and Jonas Brolin; and Tour support staff, Vanessa Govender and Brad Savage-Reid – to strut their stuff on an international stage.
A remarkable record of success
Before the intervention of Covid-19, between 2000 and 2018, the Kearsney College Choir won 15 Gold medals and seven Silver medals at the World Choir Games. It has won international competitions in Austria, Germany, the USA, Latvia and Hong Kong.
What the winning achievements in Vienna confirmed is that the Kearsney College Choir remains not only a leading choir in South Africa, but an elite, world-class outfit.
During the Tour, the boys spent time in Germany, Austria and Czechia, delighting in performing in new environments to new audiences, while also taking time out to experience and appreciate the different cultures offered up by the three countries.
They were able to perform in a host of outstanding venues, including the Salzburg Cathedral, Vienna’s Saint Stephen’s Chapel and the renowned Golden Hall of the Vienna Musikverein, one of Europe’s most revered performance venues, which is not only an architectural, but also an acoustic, marvel. In stunning Prague, they sang at the Czech Museum of Music.
Between performances, the boys were exposed to many wonderful places, attractions and experiences, including the Wiener Amusement Park, the Museum of Music, Saint Stephen’s Square, and Schönbrunn Palace in Austria, and the Svatopluk Cech Bridge, Saint Vitus Cathedral, Old Town Square, Prague Castle, and Charles Bridge in Czechia.
They participated in a number of workshops and collaborations, drawing praise for their singing, choreography and performances, while making new friends and fans along the way.
This was a very welcome return to competition for the Kearsney College Choir and the boys did themselves, the school, and South Africa proud.
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