Drakensberg Boys' Choir at Awards Ceremony during the World Choir Games 2018 © Nolte Photography

Choirs from South Africa at the World Choir Games: Where dreams become reality

The story of the success of the Drakensberg Boys Choir

World Choir Games 2021

Drakensberg Boys Choir School in South Africa is one of the few choir schools in the country that enjoys an international reputation. The fame of their music extends far beyond the borders of the country. 

A particularly important year in the history of the choir was 2018 when the young Drakensberg singers took part in the World Choir Games – for the first time in the choir’s more than 50 years of existence!

First-ever World Choir Games in South Africa

In 2018, these Games were hosted on the African continent – the continent that has given the world singing, rhythm, and dancing – for the first time. This became a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many choristers all over Africa and the world. For many of the choirs from South Africa, this was even the first and perhaps also the last chance to experience live on-site such an international choir spectacle like the World Choir Games. At the same time, international choirs were excited to watch and learn from South African singers through a direct and personal exchange.

The Drakensberg Boys' Choir competed in one of the most spectacular categories of the competition: Scenic Pop/Show Choirs. Among others, they showed an amazing rendition of “Feel It Still” (Arr. Bernard Krüger) by the U.S. rock band “Portugal. The Man”:

Уведомление о конфиденциальности

Для просмотра видео вы должны согласиться с расширенной политикой конфиденциальности. Вы можете изменить эту настройку в любое время в настройках cookie.

Согласен

Their performance left both the audience and the international jury breathless, and it was ultimately crowned with a score of 95.50 and the Champions title in this category!

Back in 2018, the choir’s Artistic Director was Bernard Krüger, who had already gained the title of World Choir Games Champions with his Kearsney College Choir.

He had also been dreaming of leading the Drakensberg Boys' Choir to the Champions title at the Games, and this was one of the multiple dreams that became reality at the World Choir Games 2018 in South Africa – precisely in the spirit of Nelson Mandela’s words “music has the power to elevate and liberate us. It sets people free to dream”.

Virtual Competitions at the World Choir Games 2021

Back to the present, choirs from South Africa are among those in the world who had to face travel restrictions due to the pandemic and who saw themselves deprived of the opportunity to participate in the 11th World Choir Games from October 30 to November 7, 2021, in Flanders.

Nevertheless, in their mission of bringing people together, the World Choir Games found another way to connect people across the globe through the power of singing: choirs worldwide will have the opportunity to still be part of the Games 2021...virtually!

For this reason, you can still join too! But watch out: the deadline for all submissions is already on September 30, 2021.

Don’t miss out: check out www.wcg2021.com to find out all the details about joining the Virtual Competition part of the World Choir Games 2021.

Похожие новости