Beautiful voices come out for Hospice

For those who didn’t buy their tickets in time to watch Richard Cock conducting an orchestra of musicians sourced locally and nationally, accompanied by acclaimed visiting and local soloists and a 70-strong massed choir from along the Garden Route on 14 October – you missed out!

This event was organised as a fundraiser for Knysna Sedgefield Hospice and Hospice Plett. Cock is well known for his massive contribution to supporting classical music in South Africa and engaging the audience in a fun and lighthearted way.

One of the elements that stood out for us was the amount of local talent we have in our area. Both events, in Knysna and Plett, were sold out, and those who were lucky enough to have bought tickets sat spellbound, silent and still except for the sounds of awe and delight at the calibre of musicians and soloists brought right into our towns, and the rhythmic foot tapping and swaying that was irresistible to some people. Multiple standing ovations, and an encore at each event, were given, much to the delight of the audience. As the concertgoers left, there was an atmosphere of joy and positivity, just what was needed after the Knysna fires.

Thanks and credit need to be given to Anneke Lamont and Jill Kirkland who pulled this whole event together, practising with the choir for months ahead of time. To Cock and all the musicians, soloists and choir members involved, thank you for choosing our charities to be the beneficiaries of funds raised by our Voices for Hospice* events. Both organisations are known for quality care and support in the homes of patients from Wilderness to Plettenberg Bay. Thank you for helping us to allow our patients to live their lives to the full. –

* Voices for Hospices was conceived in 1989 by Sheila Hurton to raise vital funds for, and public awareness of, the Princess Alice Hospice in Esher by staging a single Come and Sing concert. Since those early days this initiative gained pace to become a global event which takes place every second year on World Hospice and Palliative Care Day.