Choir hits the right note

The event will take place in Riga, Latvia, in July 2015.

The World Choir Games takes place every two years on different continents and is based on the Olympic ideals. It aims to peacefully unify people through singing in a fair competition.

All invited choirs are given the opportunity to participate in a session with an international choir director, en-mass choir performances and friendship concerts with other choirs.

Participating in this type of event gives choirs exposure and the experience of performing on an international stage.

Mr Trevor Payne, the chairperson of the Johannesburg Philharmonic Choir, said the challenge is going to be for the choir to raise enough funds to participate at the event.

The choir, based in Kensington, is available for fund raisers at organisations, to perform at corporate functions or private functions.

The Johannesburg Philharmonic Choir has a history dating back to 1971, when it was originally known as the St Stithians Singers and were based at St Stithians College.

The name was later changed and they moved to Kensington. The choir is now based at the Jeppe High School for Boys.

The repertoire was changed to lighter music, mainly popular music from the last century. Their music is made up of that from stage, screen, light classical and Gilbert and Sullivan.

They also have a list of Christmas music, consisting of traditional and the lesser-known modern music.

The choir was directed by Janet Swart until the beginning of this year, when she retired. The directorship was taken over by Teboho Segkapane, who is said to lead with great enthusiasm and skill when training the choir.

You can see the choir perform at the Kensington Spring Fair in Rhodes Park on September 1.

For more information, e-mail Mr Payne at trevorrp@telkomsa.net or call 082 572 6346. Alternatively, call Ms Una Rowlands on 083 709 8511, e-mail unar@telkomsa.net or visit www.jpchoir.co.za