It was a buzz of activity blended with good melodies as three schools participated in an episode of Sing in Harmonie, a program of KyknetNou on DStv at Kenmere Primary School in Kensington last week Thursday.
Sing in Harmonie is an initiative of Anthonie Bougas, and Kyknet. School choirs are given a platform where they can compete on national television and in this way expose them to the broader communities of South Africa as well as to promote their choirs.
This competition is part of a series of competitions where schools in the Cape as far as Hartenbos and Calvinia come together to compete.
The participating schools were Alpha Primary from Durbanville, Windermere Primary School Choir and Kenmere Primary School Choir, both from Kensington.
In each episode a winner is chosen by the panel of adjudicators, who then filters through to the finals to be held late November, early December. This sing off was happening in Kensington for the very first time and all the choirs felt honoured to be part of such a competition.
The panel consisted of very competent choral experts like Hannelie van Zitter from Magaliesberg Children’s Choir, Hennie Loock from Tygerberg Children’s Choir together with Phillip Kotze and André Serfontein.
Lizl Gaffley, conductor at Kenmere Choir dazzled the adjudicators with their harmonious choral singing. Loock said that the choir sang from within their souls. “The music comes from within and it was evident in the passionate way in which they managed to capture the adjudicators,” she said.
Van Zittert added that she had goosebumps from the moments they sang their first note right up until the last. “The schools really showed what quality choral singing comes from this area. Not only are the choristers passionate about singing, they also displayed a good knowledge of the important aspects of chorale singing,” she said.
The adjudicators complimented both Kensington schools for singing from the heart and implementing good techniques.
Although her choir is only seven months, old Linda Africa conductor of Windermere’s choir, managed to create a sweet melodic sound with controlled dynamics and beautiful Legato lines. Besides them being an upcoming choir they can proudly stand out as one of the best in the area.
After all the activities of the day were done the best choir had to be selected and Kenmere primary school took the top spot. They will be competing in the finals of Sing in Harmonie.
André Johannesse, principal at Kenmere Primary, says he is indeed proud of his pupils who display so much dedication. “Hard work certainly pays off. I would like to congratulate the choir members for their achievement on attending rehearsals regularly after school, during intervals, during school holidays and on Saturdays . It has indeed paid off for them,” said Johannesse.
Gaffley said it might not be the easiest job to be able to make 57 choristers sing in tune, but this is where she wants to be. “It’s not an easy job but it is indeed an honour and a privilege to be able to create marvellous, melodious sounds from such youngsters. This is my passion, my life. This is where I want to be, making good music to the benefit of many young souls who go through my hands. I thank the Lord for blessing me with such an amazing talent which I can share with many,” she said.
To watch these choirs battle it out in the finals tune in to KyknetNou (channel 146 on DStv) on 13 December to see these outstanding choirs
