Seven of Grahamstown’s schools converged on the Guy Butler theatre for the annual Winterberg Prestige Choral Evening held on 19 August. Parents, learners and family members braced themselves against the chilly evening to be warmed by harmonising voices of children.
Seven of Grahamstown’s schools converged on the Guy Butler theatre for the annual Winterberg Prestige Choral Evening held on 19 August. Parents, learners and family members braced themselves against the chilly evening to be warmed by harmonising voices of children.
The Graeme College junior choir kick-started the evening with a beautifully sung rendition of ‘Coconut man’. The choir was led by a conductor while a pianist supported them on an antique wooden piano.
The audience clapped, nodded and silently sang along as Winterberg Hoer Landbouskool sang old recognisable classics to the delight of many. They tapped their feet and smiled as if the songs were bringing back old memories.
More audible voices could have made their performance even more electrifying. One of the choir members Nombongo Mama, said: “We felt nervous during our performance, but it was exciting.”
Perhaps the highlight of the evening was PJ Olivier’s rendition of ‘We are the world’, a song written and made famous by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie.
The solo performances brought the powerful messages of the song to the fore. “We are the children and we are the ones to make a better day for you and me.”
Graeme College senior choir sang ‘Good night sweetheart’, made famous by the eighties TV show Shanana, which was clearly recognised by many of the older members of the audience. The senior choir also added some township dance moves to their performance.
The final and probably largest choir for the evening was Victoria Girls High, winners of the 2007 national schools competition.
The richness of their voices was moving and several of the young solo performers were impressive watch this space for future star musicians.
“It was my first time performing at this concert and it was amazing,” said Sephumelela Makalima, a learner at Adelaide Gymnasium.”I am feeling speechless.”
One of the moms present, Melanie Hendricks said: “The concert was very nice and enjoyable, definitely worth our rands.”
