Meet some of SA’s youth choirs at WCG 2018

Undoubtedly rated among the world’s leading performing arts occasions, WCG is expected to host more than 400 choirs, with the platform enabling amateur choirs the chance to interact with professional singers and choral groups from different parts of the world.

“We’re making good progress with the World Choir Games preparations,” WCG local director tourism services Christian Grosch told Music In Africa. “The venues for official events, competitions and special concerts have been chosen and the structure of the World Choir Games 2018 is already set.”

Mpumalanga Youth Choir is not new to the international music scene

Named after South Africa’s North-East province, the Mpumalanga Youth Choir will join a host of choirs at the international choral community in Tshwane. Regarded among the top youth choirs in the country, the chorale is a multi-racial group made up of more than 50 members from Emalahleni, Middleburg, Belfast, Bethal and Groblersdal.

Previously known as the Eastern Transvaal Youth Choir, the group was formed in 1981 under the tutelage of music conductor Renette Bouwer. During the years, the choir developed into an international prize-winning choir and currently sings under the direction of Andre Oosthuizen, who took the choir to the 2015 Talent Africa competition in South Africa and the Talent America competition in New York last year.

The choir made its debut European tour to Austria in 1989 followed by another tour at the Advent Competition in Prague (1995) where they were honoured with a first prize and Best Youth Choir accolade. The choir was also awarded a silver medal in the Young Adult Choirs category at the same event in 2004.

Distinguished Linden Choir is ready for the next level

Linden Choir is an esteemed youth choir from Hoërskool Linden, Johannesburg, with a long tradition of charming audiences. Formed in the early 1990s, the ensemble has through its extensive collection of music succeeded in many competitions, both at provincial and national level. At the WCG, the audience should expect music from well-known musicals such as Les Misrables, Afrikaans folk songs and ballads as well as ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, which are regularly included in their concert programmes.

Comprising 100 members, Linden Choir will lock horns with different choirs in the following categories: Mixed Youth Choirs, Musica Sacra, and Music of Spirit and Faith. The choir, which is in the capable hands of music conductor Duncan Fourie, has won national and provincial awards.

The choir has appeared at most known international platforms. In 2012 and 2007, the choir won gold and silver medals at international choir competitions in Preveza, Greece, and Prague, Czech Republic.

Kearsney College Choir is back at the WCG

Kearsney College Choir belongs to a private boarding school in Botha’s Hill, a small town in KwaZulu-Natal province. It is among the registered choirs that are billed to perform at WCG and will be joining the WCG for an eighth time.

Led by new music conductor Marshall Lombard, the choir will compete in three categories: Music of Spirit and Faith, Scenic Pop/+Show Choirs and Scenic Folklore. Kearsney Choir will use its popularity to wow choral lovers at the much-awaited choral music gathering. Boasting an impressive record on the world stage, the choir’s participation at various platforms has earned it international recognition for the energy, passion and precision of its dynamic performances.

With its signature blend of classical, pop and indigenous music, Kearsney Choir has built a large international following of appreciative supporters. The choir has a long list of accolades that include 13 gold medals and six silver medals at the 2000 and 2014 WCG respectively. The seventh edition of the WCG in Cincinnati saw the choir crowned World Champions for a third time. They also won the Scenic Pop and Champion categories as well as gold medals for the Folklore and Young Male Choir competitions at the 2014 edition of the WCG in Latvia.