Drakensberg Boys’ Choir makes magic with music
The choir mesmerised shoppers at Ballito Junction Mall last week, before taking to the stage at Ashton College.
Be it the earthy beat of their gumboot dancing or the angelic harmony when they sing – the Drakensberg Boys’ Choir mesmerised audiences last weekend at the Ballito Junction and Ashton College.
The school’s marketing manger Belinda Espag said becoming a Drakie – as they are lovingly known – is quite a procedure as the boys have to go through 30 exams to achieve concert status and join the prestigious choir.
“These exams prepare the boys in every aspect to become a true Drakie. They learn everything from how to read music and use a tuning fork to how to pack their suitcases for the many trips they go on.
“Passing these exams is like passing matric – it is a really big deal and they get to touch the iconic white jabot for the first time,” said Espag, who is incredibly passionate about the choir.
The small boarding school of 120 boys from grade four to nine have pupils from all over the world and every year only 30 boys are accepted.
“To me we are like Hogwarts – except that we do magic with the boys’ voices. When we find a boy with that magic, we accept him no matter what time of year it is. A Drakie is a specific type of boy and they know it the moment they arrive.”
The boys follow a tight schedule with school six days a week, three additional music subjects, two hours of choir practice every day and they take part in an array of outdoor sports.
They also travel extensively both locally and internationally and learn a wealth of skills.
They also make friendships for life, as Ballito boy and choir member Matthew Beuster confirmed. He knew he needed to be part of the choir the moment he first saw them.
“I was in grade five at Umhlali Prep when I first saw them perform, but I was too shy to speak to them.
“The next year they came back and my friends pushed me to go introduce myself and now I have been part of the choir for two years.
“We have become like brothers and it is such a great feeling to perform together and feel strong as a group while bringing people together with our music,” said Beuster.
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