Young songbirds to accompany pipers at Gathering

Toti songbird Keely Crocker will once again wow visitors to this year’s Highland Gathering.

Last year her rendition of ‘Amazing Grace’, accompanied by the pipers, was one of the highlights of the event and the 13-year-old has been invited to return.

In an effort to top last year’s performance, she will perform with another 13-year-old singer, Sornia Kanfer. Keely and Sornia will perform solo items, as well as a duet at Hutchison Park fields on Saturday, 30 April.

“I have been very busy since the last Gathering and I’m extremely excited to be performing again this year,” said Keely.

In July she represented South Africa in New York for the Federation of Performing Arts SA Team and won the vocal, and singer and songwriter award in her age group 12 to 14-years. She obtained gold for all seven songs she entered.

She co-wrote and sang a song called ‘Hope’ with three other artists for a drug awareness documentary. The music video was released late last year and can be found on YouTube.

Watch the video here:

She also wrote and recorded a song for a children’s environmental show.

Keely sang at the premier of the ‘Little Stars’ film for the International Children’s Palliative Care Network to create awareness for children with life-limiting or life-threatening illnesses. She also performed at various functions including Gretha Wiid’s church seminar, KZN brides to be competition semi-finals and finals, Kingsway High School’s cultural evening, 1 Med Carols and Kilts Christmas concert, Warner Beach Primary School’s etiquette evening as well as her primary school concert.

In December she took part in the Glee Academy showcase and also won the Scottburgh Beach Festival Talent Search.

From 21 to 26 March she competed at Talent Africa nationals in Johannesburg where she won six gold medals, a trophy for overall winner for her age group and a medal for top 10 vocalist for the senior group. Keely was also invited to take part in the senior showcase for their special awards evening.

She was selected as a member of the team to represent SA at Talent America in New York in July and she also obtained her provincial colours in the performing arts.

Sornia, a grade 8 Kuswag Skool pupil, will perform with a marching band for the first time at the Gathering.

“I love music and it’s my passion. I performed in SA’s Got Talent and made it through to the quarter finals. I also performed in Drug Abuse Awareness Show 2015 and Kyknet Top 10 Schools competition.”

Sornia has sung in the school choir since grade 1. “I had a little formal training – about five or six voice coaching lessons. My favourite songs are classical, such as ‘Phantom of the Opera’ and ‘Pie Jesu’.

Sornia said she prays before she goes on the stage to control her nerves before a performance.

Before the Gathering, she will perform at the Jewish Club in Durban for the Friends of Music as opening act on Tuesday, 19 April.

“I can’t wait to perform at the Highland Gathering. “I will sing ‘Flower of Scotland’ with the pipers, ‘Hallelujah’ with Keely and two other solo songs,” said Sornia, who has been singing since the age of seven.

Entrance to the Highland Gathering is R40 per adult, R20 for pensioners and students, and R10 for children. Children under six pay no cover charge.

To keep updated on the event, check out the Facebook page ‘The Highland Gathering and Lifestyle Expo Amanzimtoti’ and Amanzimtoti Lions Club website www.amanzimtoti-lions.org.

To book a stand for the flea, food or craft market, contact John West on 082-771-1108 or email john.d.k.west@gmail.com. To book a stand for the expo, contact Monique on 082-304-2803 or email admin@bigevents365.co.za.