The Central Drakensberg proudly hosts the renowned Drakensberg Boys Choir School, showcasing talented boys aged nine to fifteen from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Since its establishment in 1971, the Drakensberg Boys Choir has gained international acclaim through extensive tours across the globe, captivating audiences in the United States, Europe, Israel, Egypt, and the Far East. Notably, the choir earned recognition as the most outstanding group at World choir festivals and received a special award at Disney’s Magic Kingdom for delighting American audiences. They also had the honor of performing at a Papal audience in the Vatican, attended by 25,000 people.
When not touring, the choir holds public performances every Wednesday afternoon in the auditorium of the choir school, located in Champagne Valley. This venue boasts exceptional acoustics, providing a perfect setting for the choir’s diverse repertoire, which includes jazz, popular, religious, classical, and folk music, ranging from Bach and Beethoven to Freddy Mercury and African folk tunes. The choir’s versatility shines as talented musicians perform in smaller groups, captivating audiences with their exceptional musicality.
For those interested in attending performances, the Drakensberg Boys’ Choir School provides information on dates, times, and venues. Additionally, the school hosts special events like the Music in the Mountains festival, which showcases the choir’s coral music alongside performances by South Africa’s top artists. Another highlight is the Festival of Carols, where the choir presents a diverse Christmas repertoire in the scenic surroundings of the Central Drakensberg.
Staying true to its mission of promoting unity through music, the Drakensberg Boys Choir represents a beacon of hope and integration in post-apartheid South Africa. Their music, rhythmic, complex, melodic, and refreshing, transcends cultural boundaries, offering listeners a unique musical experience. Embracing diversity in repertoire, the choir inspires other choirs worldwide to explore music from cultures beyond their own, fostering greater understanding and harmony among people.
