The acclaimed Kearsney College choir traveled to Hong Kong this week to participate in the prestigious World Choral Festival. This debut appearance at the event is held under the auspices of the European Grand Prix of Choral Music.
The acclaimed Kearsney College choir traveled to Hong Kong this week to participate in the prestigious World Choral Festival. This debut appearance at the event is held under the auspices of the European Grand Prix of Choral Music.
The group of boys, who are multiple gold medal winners at the World Choral Games, eagerly await the opportunity to showcase their talents on the international stage. The tour train includes 44 participants. For 26 boys, this is their first international tour, and 10 are traveling abroad for the first time.
The Kearsney College choir has earned a high reputation, having won 15 gold and seven silver medals at the World Choral Games, often referred to as the Olympics of Choral Music. The ensemble is known for its vibrant performances and polished arrangements, and its signature blend of classical, pop, and traditional South African music continues to delight audiences worldwide.
Five graduates from the current tour previously participated in the choir's last international tour in 2024, when Kearsney was recognized as the overall champion at the Golden Voices competition in Barcelona, receiving the Grand Prix title. In the Junior Choir category, intended for singers under 18, Kearsney will compete against both mixed and unaccompanied ensembles. Their program includes works by composers from South Africa and Slovenia, designed to highlight the choir's musicality, choral technique, and rhythmic precision.
In the Open Show Choir category, the boys will face children's, university, and adult choirs, where the harmonious combination of music, movement, and theatrical elements is judged. Kearsney's program features two globally recognized pop hits, demonstrating the singers' outstanding ability to perform complex choreography while singing. Furthermore, the choir was invited to perform as a guest during the Starry Concert series, presenting its unique repertoire of South African folk music.
If the choir passes the preliminary rounds, it will perform at the Grand Prix Concert on the final evening of the festival, where category winners will compete for the overall title. Kearsney Director Patrick Liss noted: 'The World Choral Festival presents us with an exciting new challenge. Our boys have prepared with immense dedication, and we look forward to sharing the energy and spirit of South African choral music with an audience from around the world again.' The festival is considered the pinnacle of international choral competition, and winners in Hong Kong will have the chance to participate in the European Grand Prix Competition in 2027.
Chinmaya Mission South Africa will host a large-scale spiritual event called Man to HANUMAN on July 5th at the Chatsworth Stadium, starting at 9:30 AM. The goal of this event is to unite over ten thousand people for collective singing.
The spiritual head of Chinmaya Mission South Africa, Swami Abhedananda, noted that this landmark event marks a double milestone. This year celebrates the 75th anniversary of the Global Chinmaya Movement, and it also sets an official record for the largest synchronized gathering of this kind on the African continent.
He called upon the Hindu community to participate in this historic meeting, but emphasized that seekers and interested individuals from any denomination are welcome to experience the deep spiritual atmosphere.
Swami Abhedananda announced that the historical 27 rounds of Hanuman Chalisa will be led live by the world-renowned musician and Bhajan Samrat, Shri Anup Jalota, who will travel from India specifically for this gathering. He stated that this is not just an event, but a historic movement of unity, devotion, and peace.
Furthermore, the organizing committee stressed that having ten thousand voices sing in unison at the Chatsworth Stadium under the guidance of a global master like Shri Anup Jalota will create an unforgettable atmosphere. They aim to solidify immense positive energy specifically in South Africa, and the scale of the event is deeply rooted in community solidarity.
In preparation for the day, a monumental offering of 25,000 Rhot will be made to Lord Hanuman. The organizing committee explained that this milestone reflects the large-scale joint initiative 'Flower of Flour', symbolizing the unification of the local community, families, and volunteers who contributed their time, devotion, and resources to achieve this historic result. Attendance at the event is free of charge.
