SA's Rainbow Choir Wins Triple Gold
The choir won gold in all three categories it entered - the Young Male Choirs, Scenic Folklore and Scenic Pop - as well as World Champion status in the latter.
In the Scenic Pop category, clearly a favourite with the boys, several jury members recorded their performance on their cellphones and were some of the first to give a standing ovation. After the performance, media teams descended on the boys - interviewing them, taking photos and videoing them singing Kearsney war cries.
The Choir Games is the Olympics for choirs and is the largest competition in the history of choir music – having attracted 27 000 participants and 460 choirs from 73 nations this year. Clearly crowd favourites, the 64-member Kearsney choir received standing ovations on several occasions.
The choir was invited to represent Africa at the Games’ final Celebration Concert in a spectacular showcase performance, where one choir from each continent highlighted the music representative of its continent.
During the Games, the Kearsney choir was also invited to present a workshop (a cultural showcase) on South Africa’s indigenous music, entitled "Voices and drums - a celebration of song, rhythm and movement”.
With its signature blend of classical, pop and indigenous music, the Kearsney choir has now won 12 gold and six silver medals at the eight World Choir Games held biannually since the inaugural event in 2000; and has been hailed as “a great showpiece of the Rainbow Nation”.
The Choir’s participation in the 2014 World Choir Games in Latvia comes on the back of its success at the Choir Olympics in Linz (2000), Bremen (2004) and the World Choir Games in Xiamen (2006), Graz (2008), Shaoxing (2010) and Cincinnati (2012).
Kearsney is not a specialist choir school, but rather encourages learners to develop their musical talents alongside those on the sports fields. Dispelling any traditionally held views regarding choirboys, several choir members are also in the school’s 1st and 2nd rugby, cricket, soccer and hockey teams.
In the week before the Games, the choir was invited to represent the continent of Africa at the United Nations’ sponsored ‘Rhythms of One World Festival’ involving seven choirs from around the world. This prestigious event included a performance at the UN in Geneva.
The boys’ colourful exuberance, energy and vigour, matched with top notch musical performances, highlights all that can be achieved if differences are put aside and a common goal is sought, said Kearsney College headmaster Elwyn van den Aardweg.
“The pride in African culture, the passion with which it is presented, and the obvious teamwork are inspiring. Their unity and harmony show in and out of performance,” he said.
The Choir will perform at Kearsney next Tuesday (22 July) with the internationally acclaimed show choir Synergy from the United States. Booking is through Computicket.
A big Congrats to the Kearsney boys! You have done us proud