2018 WORLD Choir Games

From 4 to 8 July the Rustenburg Girls’ High School Chamber Choir competed in the tenth World Choir Games held for the first time in Pretoria, South Africa.

This event flies by the banner ‘Various Voices, One Harmony’. This year’s competition was extremely well represented with over 300 choirs from 60 countries, which makes it a truly international event.

It was the first time that the Chamber Choir would tour and the excitement for this trip was overwhelming. The Chamber Choir participated in the Open Championship in the Equal Voices Youth Choirs category and presented works by David Willcocks, Todor Skalovski, Amanda McBroom, and Jim Papoulis. The contrasting programme was very well received and the choir managed a Gold Diploma with an overall second place in the category. This outstanding achievement ensured automatic qualification for the next World Choir Games in 2020 in Belgium. The choir was also involved in an Individual Coaching session by Dutch conductor, Dr Johan Rooze, which was excellent preparation before competition day; as well as a Friendship Concert with choirs from Ireland, Gabon, and South Africa at Menlyn Park Shopping Centre. After all the hard work, we also decided to spend a day at Gold Reef City Amusement Park in Johannesburg. The girls, and teachers, made full use of the various rides and the Tower of Terror left a mark on several members.

The choir also had the opportunity to watch several choirs perform in some of the other categories, which in itself was a great learning experience. It was simply, an indescribable atmosphere at the Games. The camaraderie within the group made this tour unforgettable. It is best summed up by an overheard comment on the bus: “I have never in my life had so much fun. I made so many new friends and it was the best decision to come on this trip.”

Uminathi William, Michaela Acquah, and Hope Hadebe (all Grade 9) enjoy the Opening Ceremony of the World Choir Games 2018.

A choral masterclass with Dutch conductor, Dr Johan Rooze.

Fine tuning the competition programme at a rehearsal at Groenkloof auditorium.

Members of the Chamber Choir get ready to explore the World Choir Games Village. The Chamber Choir performs at a Friendship Concert at Menlyn Mall, Pretoria. The Chamber Choir performs ‘The Rose’ during the competition at the ZK Matthews Auditorium, UNISA.

The Chamber Choir in a relaxing mood after a successful competition performance at UNISA.

Choir members socialise with a Korean choir at the show choirs’ performance.

Some girls get ready to face the Tower of Terror at Gold Reef City.

Mr Goosen and Kim-Joy Damon (Head of the Chamber Choir) after being awarded second place at the Awards Ceremony.