The Drakensberg Boys’ Choir in Town for Christmas Concerts
The Drakensberg Boys’ Choir in Town for Christmas Concerts
One of South Africa’s national treasures, the Drakensberg Boys’ Choir, will be bringing the spirit of Christmas to Newcastle when it passes through the town on its national Noel tour in November 2014.
Under the baton of Dr Johann van der Sandt, 47 boys from the choir, which is based in the Champagne Valley in the central Drakensberg, will perform on November 29 in the Pavillion at St Dominics Academy .
From Newcastle the boys will return to school for the Christmas in the Berg Festival.
The choir tours three times a year, including overseas.
This year the boys visited Austria, Italy and Germany where they received a rousing welcome with all concerts sold out and the queue for a concert in Germany extending for almost a kilometre.
The youngsters come from across southern Africa and are chosen for their exceptional singing talent and musical ability.
The routine at the school is rigorous with the pupils learning music theory, aural techniques, how to master instruments and, of course, how to sing in a choir, as well as the usual school subjects.
Nevertheless the boys have ample opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and, away from many modern influences, grow into cultured, disciplined and very musical young men.
*After the concert Dr van der Sandt will be auditioning prospective pupils for the 2016 and 2017 intake of choristers.
Tickets for the concert can be purchased from Karen 071 786 4239
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