KykNet Sing In Harmonie Choir Competition

"In the olden days, everybody sang. You were expected to sing as well as talk. It was a mark of the cultured to sing." Leonard Bernstein, American conductor and composer

The Chamber Choir certainly did justice to this quote on Saturday, 17 August when they took part in the Kyknet Sing in Harmonie Regional Final at the Hugo Lambrechts Auditorium in Parow.

Choirs that take part in this competition are required to perform two songs, one of which must be of a sacred nature. Initially the choirs compete in a preliminary round to determine which choirs will compete in the Regional Final. They are divided into a Macro (more than 800 learners in the school) and a Micro (fewer than 800 learners in the school) category.

Rustenburg competed in the Macro category against choirs from Bellville, Brackenfell, De Kuilen and Worcester on the evening. It always helps to have a goal to work towards; and when one takes into consideration that this specific competition provides a platform for provincial and national exposure with television broadcasts, then it just made sense to compete.

On the evening the choir exceeded all expectations. They won trophies for the Best Sacred Song and were also announced as the overall winners. After the performance, respected adjudicators and a mostly non- Rustenburg audience stood up to cheer for the choir – an incomparable feeling. The choir embraced a challenge this year to move people with their performances and they certainly achieved that goal.

Mr Goosen (the conductor) and Ms Thorne (the accompanist), with the two trophies after winning the competition.

Asemi Ntsokolo, Head of the Chamber Choir, reflecting on the performance during an interview at the competition.

The Chamber Choir ready to perform. Various cameras were moving around to record the perfomance, but the choir’s focus was incredible.

The Chamber Choir celebrating with their trophies.

The Chamber Choir making sure that everyone knew who was number one on the night.

Ms Thorne with some of the Grade 11 choir members before our performance. From left is Mikaela van Otterlo, Ainslee Khamal, Jemma Hallet, Ms Thorne, Emma Allkin, Hannah Olarogun, Iviwe Yeki, and Megan Barnard.