In February, Pretoria composer Franco Prinsloo marked a significant milestone with the worldwide release of Kroon van Wonders, performed and recorded by the Vox Chamber Choir.

The album captures the world premiere of the newly composed Afrikaans oratorio, first staged in 2025 during the centenary celebration of Afrikaans as an official language.

With this release, the work moves beyond a once-off performance into the recorded canon of South African classical music.

Kroon van Wonders is more than a large-scale choral composition. It stands as a cultural time document, reflecting on a century of Afrikaans while simultaneously expanding its artistic vocabulary.

The oratorio’s scale, orchestration and conceptual depth position it as a rare achievement in contemporary South African composition.

“Kroon van Wonders is for me a statement of faith in art,” says Prinsloo.
“I wanted to create a work that is theologically meaningful, but also musically credible on an international level. To do it in Afrikaans, with these forces of choir and orchestra, is an act of trust in our language and our artists. This recording ensures that the work does not remain a fleeting moment, but becomes a living contribution to South Africa’s musical history.”

The premiere and subsequent recording were produced by Franco Prinsloo Productions, with the album recorded in June 2025 in the ZK Matthews Great Hall at Unisa.

Yet even as Kroon van Wonders reflects the heights of formal choral artistry, Prinsloo’s work with the choir extends far beyond the concert hall.

At the heart of his musical vision lies a deep belief in the power of communal singing, not only for artistic excellence, but for human well-being.

But how does singing in a group impact people’s mood and overall sense of well-being?

Prinsloo answers without hesitation: “Singing together has an immediate effect on mood. It regulates breathing, releases feel-good hormones, and helps people feel lighter and more energised. Even people who arrive tired or stressed often leave feeling uplifted and calmer. There is something very grounding about using your voice alongside others. It reconnects people with their bodies, their breath, and a sense of joy that we often lose in everyday life.”

That philosophy finds practical expression in the Vox Bar Choir initiative, an informal, no-audition communal singing experience launched eight years ago.

According to Prinsloo, communal singing rapidly dissolves social barriers.

“When people sing together, they breathe together, listen to one another, and work towards a shared outcome. That creates a connection very quickly. It cuts through titles and hierarchies and allows people to meet one another simply as human beings. Even strangers often leave feeling like they have shared something meaningful.”

Music therapist and choir member Anja Pollard points to the cognitive benefits.

“Singing engages memory, focus and listening all at once. Learning lyrics, following harmonies and staying together musically exercises the brain in a very natural way. It is one of the few activities that combines emotional, physical and cognitive engagement at the same time.”

For many participants, the effect is deeply personal.

Jaco de Wet, a choir member, describes the confidence boost: “Singing in a group gives you the confidence to sing. While most of us are not made to sing as a soloist, it does not mean we cannot enjoy the feeling of singing. So doing it in a group, in public, is a rare opportunity, and everyone should have the pleasure of experiencing it.”

Participant Hanco Ostman reflects on last year’s event: “For me, Vox Bar Choir is something worth doing. You show up as a stranger, immersed into harmonies with a room full of new friends. When leaving, there is this sense of a lifted spirit and a greater awareness of belonging.”

That spirit will once again take centre stage on the week of St Patrick’s Day. Vox Chamber Choir will host its annual community sing-along on March 20 from 18:00 at Moonshot Café in Waterkloof Glen.

This year’s theme is Irish, fitting for the festive atmosphere traditionally associated with the day.

“We are offering our annual community sing-along with the Vox Chamber Choir,” Prinsloo explains.

“It’s an opportunity where members of the public come together to make music and sing together. No choir experience is required. The emphasis is on social connection and musical expression. It is a big success every year.”

Do you have more information about the story?

Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.

For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East

For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok or WhatsApp Channel