© Winelands Chamber Choir, South Africa

For the beauty of the earth – rehearsing in South Africa’s vineyards

Chamber choir brings a taste of the Winelands to the World Choir Games 2018

World Choir Games 2018

Based in picturesque Winelands district of the Western Cape, South Africa, the Winelands Chamber Choir was established in 2010. Former teachers and members of the then Paarl Schools Music Centre and the Paarl/Wellington Regional Children’s Choir came together to render a tribute in song for the late Norma Norman, who served both institutions diligently as secretary for many years.

Ivan Le Kay, one of the founder members of the Music Centre lead this new choir. In 2014 the choir took part in a competition for the first time and right away won the trophy for the category “Mixed Choir” at the “ATKV/Rapport Suidooster Fees” choir competition.

In 2015 Stephen Jephthas was appointed as choir director and conductor, and in 2017 Thurloe Ernstzen joined Mr Jephthas in sharing the duties of music director and conductor. He started out as one of the Winelands Chamber Choir’s accompanists in 2016, however on one occasion he volunteered to lead the choir as no conductor was available. He instantly fell in love with the choir and requested to become a permanent fixture in front of the choir, which the choir whole heartedly agreed to.

The Winelands Chamber Choir, whose repertoire ranges from classical to contemporary choral arrangements, is a non-profit organization. Any endeavours the choir aims to undertake are funded purely out of each chorister’s pocket, proceeds from concerts or donations from generous friends of the choir. The choir has hosted various concerts where profits raised were donated to worthy charity organisations or individuals in need.

From the start, the objective set out by the choir was to sing just for the love of singing and use opportunities to bring warmth in the hearts of people again as it did to thousands in the past. By entering the World Choir Games, the choir aims to expand their presence and reach more people with the gift of choral music.

You would like to experience the choir’s contagious enthusiasm? Then check out our website for more details or visit the event page on Facebook

Registration for the World Choir Games 2018 is still possible until January 26!

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