African sounds in Sochi
The Cgals Chamber Choir from Namibia will participate once again at the World Choir Games
INTERKULTUR is pleased to introduce some choirs, which will attend the biggest choral event worldwide: The World Choir Games in Sochi 2016.
"The Cgals Ladies’ Ensemble started in 1998 in Swakopmund, Namibia. Over the years, the Cgals have given various concerts at the coast and have sung in joint concerts with the University Choir of Potchefstroom, the Stellenbosch College Choir, Cantare Audire Choir and the Voices of Namibia Ensemble. They also participated at the gala performance of the World Championships in Jukskei held in Swakopmund in 2000. In 2011, the Cgals performed at a very successful concert in Windhoek, this being their first concert away from the coast. In 2012 the Cgals were invited to Norway, and performed at various venues around Kristiansand, the twin city of Walvis Bay.
What makes this choir unique is that the members are from all walks of life (the age difference between the oldest and the youngest member is 51 years!) and consists of different cultural groups of Namibia. The Cgals Ladies Ensemble have over the years become a household name in Namibia, not only because of their singing ability, but also for their love of fun, group spirit and the love for music that they share. The standard of the Cgals improved drastically from a laid-back social group practicing for specific concerts when they started doing examinations in 2010. The same year they passed the Trinity GuildHall Silver Choral Assessment with 91% and in 2011 they passed Trinity GuildHall Gold Choral Assessment with 91%. The tour to Norway was their first overseas tour and all the funds were raised by the members."
"The Cgals attended the 8th World Choir Games in 2014 in Riga, Latvia from 8 – 20 July in 2014 where 70 countries participated and there were about 27 000 participants. The 28 ladies received silver diplomas in all four categories in which they participated: Musica Sacra, Scenic Folklore, Popular Music and Folklore. The choir participated in the Parade of Nations at the Choir Games and were invited to sing in the closing ceremony as one of 40 international choirs selected for the mass choir. On return to Namibia the Cgals Choir sang the UNISA Advanced Choir Examination and received 97%, with this excellent result the Cgals Chamber Choir of Namibia were put on the honorary roll of the University of South Africa."
INTERKULTUR is very excited and proud that the Cgals Chamber Choir from Namibia will participate again in the next World Choir Games,which till take place in Sochi, Russia from July 6-16, 2016, representing Namibia in competitions, concerts and especially again in the Closing Ceremony of the World Choir Games. The choir will compete in three categories: Musica Sacra, Folklore and the Female Chamber Choir division.
Now we are looking forward to welcome the Cgals at the biggest choral event worldwide and we are curious about which unforgettable moments we will experience together.
