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SA choirs shine at World Choir GamesCharl van Heyningen Enterprises07/15/2012 09:20:58 
SA's foremost choirs rake in the gold in Cincinnati in the US in a feast of choral splendour. Three South African choirs took part in the second week of the 7th World Choir Games in Cincinnati, Ohio. They were Tygerberg Children's Choir and Stellenberg Girl's Choir from Cape Town and Kearsney College Choir from KZN. Stellenberg Girls Choir, under the baton of Andre van der Merwe, were crowned double world champions, winning gold medals in the Musica Contemporanea and Music of the Religions Divisions. In the latter category they triumphed over Tygerberg Children's Choir, who has to be satisfied with a second place. It is absolutely heartwarming to see two excellent South African choirs obtaining first and second places in an international competition of such stature. Choir leader Andre van der Merwe is taking home a whopping four first places in this year's World Choir Games, after Stellenbosch University Choir's mammoth win last week. Tygerberg Children's Choir, celebrating its 40th anniversary this year under the leadership of Hennie and Theresa Loock, also obtained second place and a gold medal in the Children's Choirs division, losing by a very narrow margin of only 0,14% to the excellent Vocalista Angels from Indonesia. In the Spirituals division, Tygerberg Children's Choir ended in 5th place, against much older choirs. Stellenberg Girls Choir also obtained a fifth place in the Gospel division. Kearsney College Choir under the baton of Bernhard Kruger won the Scenic Folklore category. Final results at this year's World Choir Games: 4 South African choirs, 11 gold medals and one silver, 5 first places, 3 second places and two fifth places. Indeed a mean feat for our excellent musical export products. Please visit http://www.interkultur.com/world-choir-games/ for more information. Competition Categories and Scoring The Open Competition participants may receive Gold, Silver or Bronze diplomas in their musical categories based on judges’ scores. The Champions Competition participants may receive Gold, Silver or Bronze medals in their musical categories based on judges’ scores. There are multiple winners of diplomas and medals in each category. The Gold-Medal winner with the highest score in each category of the Champions Competition is named Champion of the World Choir Games. The champions come to the stage and their country’s flag is raised as their national anthem is played. This is a very emotional moment for the choirs who win – and for many of the choirs, who receive the payoff from their hard work with their medals and diplomas. The Champions Competition is reserved for the best of the best. Amateur choirs may apply, but all participants are chosen by an artistic committee for their proven concert ability and for their previous experience performing at international competitions. The Champions Competition choirs compete for the title of Champion of the World Choir Games. The Champions Competition is judged by seven adjudicators. At the World Choir Games, participation is the highest honor. The Open Competition is for any choir, regardless of artistic achievement. Competitors in The Open Competition are mostly amateur choirs and those new to international competition looking to gain valuable performance experience. The Open Competition is judged by five adjudicators. Choirs can receive the following: A successful participation certificate 40.01-60 points – Bronze Medal 60.01-80 points – Silver Medal 80.01-100 points – Gold Medal ABOUT THE WORLD CHOIR GAMES: The World Choir Games, taking place every two years, is the signature event of INTERKULTUR, a Germany-based global organization that produces elite international choral events all over the world. The 2012 Games is expected to be Cincinnati USA’s largest international arts event ever. Cincinnati USA was selected as the first US city to host the World Choir Games. In more than 20 years since INTERKULTUR was established, the organization has built ties to more than 5,800 choirs and 260,000 singers from 100 nations who have taken part in the World Choir Games and INTERKULTUR's regional choir competitions. Artslink.co.za Account: Charl van Heyningen charl@charl.co.za 021 851 8261 082 490 0924 Charl van Heyningen Enterprises www.charl.co.za |
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