SOUTHERN CAPE NEWS - When the South Cape Children’s Choir depart from George Airport for Europe at 09:00 tomorrow morning, it will be the first step in the bigger plan of ultimately also attending the World Choir Games in Cincinnati, USA in July 2012.

The preparations for their departure to Europe took more than three years of intense planning, fundraising and diligent practising. Their aim of international achievement relies heavily on support and donations. During their tour of Europe they will not only experience various cultural exchange workshops, but they will also actively raise support to make their dream for 2012 come true.

The choir members are following a schedule that demonstrates that enthusiasm and perseverance are the key to success for each one who wants to be part of such a tour. The choir was very active during the past few months, participating in appearances and workshops to prepare themselves for the packed programme awaiting them in Europe.

Concert with Dana Winner
They are undertaking a multi-cultural exchange tour to Germany, Belgium and Switzerland from 1 to 15 October. The tour includes a minimum of six formal concerts. A concert with Dana Winner in Belgium on 13 October will be the highlight of the tour. They will also be appearing with special permission in a cathedral in Antwerp when they will be giving a short lunch hour concert.

Say bon voyage
The choir will report at the George Airport from 08:00 tomorrow, to start their trip via Johannesburg to Frankfurt. They invite the community to be there to to bid them bon voyage. You can also follow their daily activities during the tour on their web site, www.sccchoir.co.za or on Face Book at South Cape Children’s Choir.

The concerts that they will be presenting overseas are:

• Saturday, 1 October: Rothenberg Markplatz in front of Rathaus
• Sunday, 2 October: St George’s Catholic Church in Bensheim
• Tuesday, 4 October: Bülach (Switzerland) at St Laurentius Church
• Friday, 7 October: Collegio Papio (Ascona, Switzerland) with Calicantus Children’s Choir
• Sunday, 9 October: Solingen (Evertz Exhibition Hall, Germany)
• Monday, 10 October: Bottrop (Germany) with Buona Novella Choir
• Tuesday, 11 October: Aachen Cathedral (Germany)
• Thursday, 13 October: Concert with Dana Winner and Kiliana Children’s Choir in the CC Palethe, in Overperlt.

They will also attend a number of cultural exchange workshops and appearances at schools in different cities on their route.

According to Jan-Erik Swart, conductor of the South Cape Children’s Choir, all is going according to schedule and the choir are practising their hearts out to round their sound off to perfection.

Extensive repertoire
The choir has a repertoire of more than 50 pieces that Jan-Erik has collected from all over the world. They perform Renaissance, Baroque, Classic, Romantic as well as contemporary classic choir works together with a Mossel Bay string quartet under the leadership of Rev. Johan Engelbrecht that is travelling with the choir.

Their extensive African repertoire usually provides much pleasure to appreciative European audiences.

Two pieces, Great Spirit and Ave Maris Stella, were written by a Swiss composer, Ivo Antognini. The SCCC want to perform these two compositions in a concert in Antognini’s home town, Locarno, together with the Swiss children’s choir champions, Coro Calicantus.

The choir will also sing African compositions that have never been heard before, including Nkosi Sipea which was written by Pastor Nosipho Moyikwa from George, specially for the South Cape Children’s Choir. It was adapted by Jan-Erik Swart. This deeply spiritual Xhosa song describes the spiritual ministry of the choir in the cathedrals of Europe with the words, "Father, travel together with us and protect us ..."

This was also the message of Rev. Steve van der Walt of the NG Moedergemeente during the choir’s appearance on Sunday, 4 September. A special prayer was said for the choir and the congregation sent them off on their travels with blessings for a successful tour.

The choir depends on this kind of community support and are also thankful that Pastor Jannie Horn of Eagles Nest Minis-tries in Pacaltsdorp undertook to ask a special offering for the choir.

More excitement waiting
Upon their return to South Africa, some exciting appearances await the choir. These include a Kwêla television recording together with Michael Lindt at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge in Oudtshoorn on 22 October and a Christmas concert with Gerrie Pretorius on 14 December at the Kalahari Theatre in George. Phone Marilize Larmour on 082 599 9291 for more information regarding these two events.