Kearsney scoops choir honours
RTAYU Pattundeen described the moment when Kearsney College won three gold medals and champion status at the recently held World Choir Games in Riga, Latvia, as “beyond amazing”.
The 18 year old, who is the choir’s deputy head, and its 63 members, are still basking in success after competing in northern Europe in an event regarded as the choral Olympic Games.
There were 27 000 participants and 460 choirs from 73 nations.
The school, which is based at Botha's Hill outside Durban, won gold in all three categories it entered – the Young Male Choirs, Scenic Folklore and Scenic Pop. It also scooped World Champion status in the latter category.
“The experience was beyond amazing and walking off with so many accolades was quite simply … an honour,” said Pattundeen.
Since returning to Durban, the group has shared the stage with the touring United States-based show choir Synergy and performed live on East Coast Radio at the Pietermaritzburg City Hall.
It is gearing to showcase its talents yet again at supper theatre performances at the school from August 13 to 15.
The show is open to the public. Tickets, which range in price, are available at Computicket.
Pattundeen, who is in matric, joined the choir in 2011, a week after he enrolled at the school.
His first trip abroad with his peers was to the 2012 World Choir Games in Cincinnati in the United States.
The school won two gold medals and were crowned World Champions in the Scenic Folklore category in 2012.
“The 2012 and 2014 games have been the school’s most successful outings. What made this year significant, though, was that it celebrates 20 years of democracy in South Africa and 64 born frees celebrated the fact that we are democratic.”
Pattundeen, who is also a drama student, said music was his passion.
But he understood he needed a sustainable career after matriculating, and he would then consider becoming a music producer.
He wants to study either for a B Comm Economics and Law, or toward a BA in Corporate Communications.
Pattundeen said the choir were aged between 14 and 18 and worked as a united front irrespective of age.
Kearsney College has won 13 gold and six silver medals from the eight World Choir Games held so far, making them the second-most decorated in the history of the Games.