Background

The Kearsney Choir has established itself as one of the premier youth choirs in Africa and the world today, earning international renown for the energy, passion and precision of its dynamic performances. Our Choir is privileged to have the opportunity to perform on the world stage in Switzerland and Latvia in the forthcoming holidays.

In Geneva, the choir will represent the continent of Africa at the United Nations sponsored Rhythms of One World Festival, involving seven choirs from around the world. This prestigious event will include performances at the United Nations in Geneva as well as other event concerts. The Kearsney Choir has also been invited to present workshops and master classes to other participating choirs at the festival.

Thereafter, the Choir travels to Riga, the capital city of Latvia, to participate in the eighth World Choir Games. The Choir has also been selected to represent Africa in a spectacular showcase performance at the Games, where one choir from each continent will highlight the music representative of that continent. The Choir has also been invited to present a workshop on indigenous music from South Africa during the Games.

The Choir’s participation in the 2014 World Choir Games in Latvia comes on the back of its success at the Choir Olympics in Linz (2000), Bremen (2004) and the World Choir Games in Xiamen (2006), Graz (2008), Shaoxing (2010) and Cincinnati (2012). With 6 silver and 10 gold medals, the choir is the second most decorated choir in the history of the World Choir Games. 

Watch the video of the Choir's performance at the World Choir Games Champion's Concert in Cincinnati in 2012.
The strength of the Choir is found in its balance. Its repertoire is a rich blend of contemporary and traditional, European and African, joyful and reflective. The boys have a delicate balancing act to manage their time and schedules since they are involved across academic, sporting and cultural spheres.

Director of Music, Bernard Krüger, and the boys have made huge sacrifices, dedicating much time and energy to rehearsals and performances in preparation for this tour, and we trust that they will reap the rewards of all their efforts. Whilst on tour, the Choir will be supported by Kearsney staff; Mr Gareth Moerdyk (Tour Manager), Ms Bonita Ziegelmeier (Accompanist), Mrs Junine Krüger (Front of House), Ms Kerry-Jane Coleman (Assistant) and from the City of London School, Mr Ivo Almond (General Assistant).

Mr Kruger said “It is a rare privilege for any conductor to be given an opportunity to work with a group of young men who are as energetic, as motivated and as passionate as the Kearsney College Choir. As a director, one needs to constantly find ways to inspire an ensemble to greater heights, but in my case, the boys themselves serve as inspiration to design and conceptualise the direction our performances will take each year”.

Our thanks go to donors and organisers and sponsors of events that supported the Choir’s fund-raising efforts. Mr Gary Knight and his committee of parents and the Kearsney Foundation Office staff have done an incredible job to raise the necessary funds, and we thank them sincerely.