IN HARMONY:
The Elsies River High School choir has been selected to participate in the ABC Motsepe School Choral Eisteddfod 2018 in Randburg, which will be held on June 27.
A MELODY of voices rose in the air as the Elsies River High School choir showed off the skills which landed them a spot in the South African Schools Choral Eisteddfod.
The group will pack their bags and head for Joburg at the end of the month to perform nationally and show the country what they’ve got.
The group previously competed in the Afrikaans division of the competition in 2013 and also saw their male sector take second place in the competition held in Durban in 2014. In 2015 they won the Afrikaans category and now they will once again compete in the Afrikaans division.
However, choir teacher, Benita Koopman, said they were not focused on winning and were simply happy to participate in the competition.
Koopman said she was happy with the opportunity to give the learners, many of whom often don’t get the chance to leave Cape Town, exposure to the competition.
“They went through and they won the Afrikaans category singing
Emmanuel God Met Ons. I told them even if they don’t win, the fact that they’re going to nationals is great. We’ll just do our best.
“The kids go through a lot of difficult times. My wish for them was to fly over there and give them that opportunity. It’s all about giving them exposure and experience,” said Koopman.
Koopman said some of the pupils who joined the school choir in the past went on to pursue an international career in singing.
A few of the current choir members said the choir had exposed them to opportunities in the music industry, which they may pursue in future.
Paige Barends said: “I’m very excited about the competition. It’s the first time I’ll be in Joburg, so I can’t wait.”
Charlize Alexander said: “I’ve been to so many places because of the choir, places I wouldn’t have been to otherwise, and I feel like we can win this year.”
Kyle Gertse said: “When we got the results that we went through, something inside of me just said ‘thank you’. I’m very excited. Due to the choir, I can play the trumpet today, and I’ve been to places with the jazz band because of the choir.”
Koopman said the choir will host a fundraising concert at the school, on Sunday, June 24 to raise money for their trip expenses. To find out more about the concert, contact Koopman on +27 79 820 7787 or contact the school on 021 932 5085.
I’VE BEEN TO SO MANY PLACES BECAUSE OF THE CHOIR. PLACES I WOULDN’T HAVE BEEN TO OTHERWISE