In celebration of its 35th birthday, the Kimberley Children’s Choir (KCC) is hosting a concert this weekend.
Since the KCC was established in January 1989, it has been creating a rich history and continues to be an ambassador for Kimberley and its surrounds, and specifically its children, says Estelle Vorster, former conductor and now KCC coordinator.
It has also been an example of the manner in which children from different socio-economic, religious, and racial backgrounds can work together in harmony to jointly achieve success.
The KCC was established under the auspices of the Department of Education. In 1994 it became an independent, multi-cultural organisation generating its own funds.
In 2006, the children’s choir became part of the Kimberley Academy of Music (KAM), a section 21 non-profit company.
Auditions for the choir are held annually and are open to primary school learners in Gr. 3 to Gr. 7. Members are chosen for their singing ability and musicality, and usually stay in the choir until their Gr. 9 year.
In recent studies the advantages of choral singing were highlighted, such as choral singers showing higher levels of civic involvement and volunteering; helping to be better team leaders or participants in other areas of their lives; and socialising better.
Results also indicated that children who sing in choirs display enhanced social skills found in adult singers, and that they have academic success and valuable life skills.
Vorster says the birthday celebration concert will be a very special performance under the direction of the KAM’s new KCC conductor, Nathan Carlo, and the new KCC accompanist, Clarise Jonas.
- The concert on Saturday, 14 September, starts at 19:00 in the St Cyprians Cathedral. The Northern Cape Symphony Youth Orchestra (NCSYO) performs as a guest. Purchase tickets at the door at R150 per person, or R100 for former KCC members.
