The choir will present its Sounds of Africa programme on 3 and 4 December in the Odeion at the University of the Free State. It will reflect both the diversity of Africa and the unity of global choral traditions, said choir conductor Werner Stander.

The gala concerts on the Wednesday and Thursday will not only mark a milestone in the choir’s history but will also serve as a send-off for its Belgian Christmas tour later.

“The Bloemfontein Children’s Choir is very excited to be embarking on a Christmas tour this December,” said Stander.

The choir is set to perform 16 concerts across Belgium, including a historic first appearance at the European Parliament, “to spread South Africa’s vibrant musical spirit across international stages”.

They will perform in, among other places, Hasselt, Zonhoven, Ghent, Bilzen, Leuven, and Bruges, concluding the tour with a concert in Tongeren, the oldest town in Belgium. Other highlights include a performance at Unesco’s International Day of Light and appearances at various Christmas markets.

Audiences can look forward to a “vibrant and uplifting showcase”, said Stander, including timeless classics such as “Adiemus” by Karl Jenkins, “Heal the world” by Michael Jackson, Beethoven’s “Ode to joy”, and “Hallelujah” from Handel’s Messiah.

In September, the choir hosted the Cape Town Children’s Choir and Oranje Girls’ Choir for a spring celebration in Bloemfontein.

Their 2022 European tour included a memorable performance at Disneyland Paris, solidifying the choir’s place among the world’s top youth choirs. The following year, it won the junior choir division and two gold medals at the Cape Town Eisteddfod.

Tickets for the Sounds of Africa Gala concert are available via Webtickets.

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OFM News/Zenande Mpame cvs