A holy, joyful sound at Songs of Praise
Music lovers gathered for the annual Songs of Praise, conducted by Richard Cock, for songs that fill the soul with praise.
MBOMBELA – The annual Songs of Praise concert took place at Hervormde Gemeente Nelspruit on Sunday.
Those in attendance were treated to heavenly hymnals by the Colla Voce Youth and Laudate choirs, and the local Sempre Vino, which surprisingly means “more wine”.
They were later joined by Nelspruit Laerskool’s senior choir to form the day’s mass choir.
The school’s senior choir was fresh from performing at the eisteddfod held at the AFM Communio Church on Friday where they got an A grade for their performance.
Renowned musician and conductor, Richard Cock, had the task of not only conducting the choirs on the day, but also the audience, which joined the mass choir in song.
They sang “God is our strength and refuge”, “Lofsing die Here” and “The holy city”, which is well known to classical music lovers.
After the intermission and a few koeksisters, the audience picked up momentum and sang “Prys Hom die Hemelvors/Crown him with many crowns” accompanied by the Community Orchestra.
And they later sang, “Small ode to joy”, better known as “Praat ek mense eng’le tale” by Beethoven.
This is organisers’ Chris and Madelief Mulder’s last Songs of Praise, as they are leaving Mbombela at the end of the year. The two were honoured for their hard work and dedication to the concert for the past 17 years.
