Pretoria choir outsings all at World Choir Games
The Bokamoso choir became the 12th World Choir games champion in South Korea, bringing three gold medals home.
A Pretoria north choir has bagged three medals in an international competition.
Bokamoso arts institute choir in Mabopane brought home three gold medals from the 12th World Choir Games in South Korea.
The 89-member choir landed the huge title of World Choir game champions participating in a global competition for the very first time.
“The choir has more than 110 members but only 89 were available for the competition due to personal commitments such as work and other things that unfortunately couldn’t allow them to participate,” says choir public relations officer Gift Mabuza.
“At the competition, we entered three categories – mixed choir, musica sacra and sinic for law.”
Bokmoso took gold for all categories with 90.38 points for mixed choir, 86.25 for musica sacra with accompaniment and 90 points sinic for law.
“In all our winnings, we participated with 46 countries with over 324 choirs, which put so much pressure on us as the standard was too high. We competed in the championship categories against champions from the United States, Germany, Italy and Indonesia among others,” says Mabuza.
“As much pressure we were put under we were still in disbelief that we managed to get the gold in all categories.”
Mabuza says other than the status of world champion, there is no prize money.
He says that the status has meant a lot back in South Africa… the choir has achieved good exposure.
“Us coming back from the competition, believe me, we’ve never had this media coverage as most of the media houses are trying to get a hold of us. It’s just an amazing thing that has ever happened for the choir.
“We’ve never been all over the news, the exposure is just on another level and we are really grateful.”
Mabuza says the venture has also opened doors for them, as they participated in the Gauteng choral music association and won overall best performance.
“Bokamoso was the first runner-up in the large section, then one of our choirs Soshanguve had the honour to perform for President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Union Buildings.”
Currently, Bokamoso is preparing for the next World Choir Games next year in Auckland, New Zealand, to defend their titles won.
Mabuza expressed gratitude to supporters in South Africa and Mabopane as the choir received a warm welcome at the OR Tambo airport.
“Supporters, family, friends we thank you, we are astounded by what we received from the other end.
“The sound of their singing, when we were boarding, was just amazing, so again, thank you so much,” Mabuza concluded.
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