Tour details

Having been denied opportunities to perform and tour for so long, the internationally-renowned Kearsney College Choir are thrilled to once again be hitting the road, taking their magic to European audiences.  

Following the postponement of the 2020 World Choir Games, and Kearsney’s decision to withdraw from the  2021 competition due to COVID complications, these talented boys have been itching to perform on the world stages once again. The opportunity to perform in the Summa Cum Laude Youth Music Festival and Competition in Vienna was grabbed with both hands and 53 boys, accompanied by five staff members, will be jetting off to Europe on 28 June to wow international audiences once again. 

We are on our way!

The team departed from King Shaka International Airport, Durban, and a few members joined in Johannesburg. Happy travels. Exciting adventures and new friends and fans await.

More news to follow soon.

Day 1: Wednesday 29 June 2022

After a Shosholoza serenade to parents and friends at King Shaka International Airport we waved Durban goodbye. After thirteen hours in the air and another four at airports, followed by a last stretch on the road, we arrived safely in Munich. We then made our way to Kleinarl, at the foot of the Alps, known for its ski resorts.

Day 2: Thursday 30 June

We hear the rhythmic murmur of the river, chirping birds, and the tinkling of cowbells as dawn breaks… the Austrian Alps were alive this morning.

Collaboration with Privatschule Borromaun Gimnasium Choir in Salzburg

After a hearty breakfast at Pension Anja, we embarked on our hour-and-a-half journey to Salzburg. The first activity on the agenda was a collaborative workshop with the choir at Privatschule Borromaun Gimnasium in Salzburg. Having left the crisp air of the Alps, we were welcomed by a 32-degree hug in Salzburg.

Bernard Kruger worked his magic and workshopped one of Kearsney’s favourite songs, Bonk’ Abaphandle, with the Salzburg choir. After 30 minutes, he had both ensembles performing the song and the choreography in unison. Wonderful to see!

After that, the Kearsney Choir took to the stage and performed their repertoire for the school audience, which had expanded as the workshop progressed. The host choir and their conductor Mr Moritz Gutmann thanked us for our time and gifted us with Mozart chocolates for our journey home.

Lunch

Having worked up an appetite, our next stop was lunch. We walked the short distance through the town to a restaurant called Bier Heuriger. The meal included a starter of pfannenkuchensuppe (pancake soup), a main course consisting of schweinebraten (braised pork), knurdle (dumpling), bratkartoffeln (roast potatoes) and sauerkraut. The dessert was the popular local kaiserschmarrn, also known as Emperor’s Mess, scrambled pancake, shredded pancake, torn pancake or Emperor’s Pancake.

Afternoon – 30 June

Jaw-dropping Salzburg Cathedral

Next on the agenda was the main event for the day, a performance at the Salzburg Cathedral (in German, Salzburger Dom), a seventeenth-century Baroque cathedral. We walked in wonder of this architectural masterpiece. Its majesty, housing five organs, greeted us with magnificent carvings and calm serenity. Legend has it that Mozart played one of the organs in this cathedral.

The Kearsney choir arranged themselves on the choir stands and began an emotional rendition of the Ukrainian lullaby, led by Bjorn Kruger, and Indodana (Xhosa prayer). An awe-inspiring performance drew many visitors to the performance area. Both staff and boys were highly emotional after the performance. Visitors with tear-drenched faces approached the boys and teachers, expressing their appreciation and awe of the experience. After a quick photo opportunity, we embarked on exploring Salzburg before we returned to Kleinarl for dinner.

Dinner in Kleinarl

We dined at Hiner restaurant and enjoyed the hospitality and generosity of the Kleinarl community. The chicken cordon bleu with chips was delicious. After dinner the choir gathered in the town’s little church for an hour-long performance. People turned up in droves, filling the church as they watched the performance of some of the competition repertoire. The song Tokoloshe wowed the audience and may have scared some of the children! The sound of the music echoed through the town, drawing a greater crowd. Mesmerised by the performance, the generous community of Kleinarl took a collection which they donated to the choir and gifted the boys with ice-creams all around – a gift the boys thoroughly enjoyed. After a briefing, the choir boys returned to the hotel to pack and get ready to depart Kelinarl, a little town with the biggest heart. We retired, tired but content after a jam-packed day.

Breakfast at 07:00, room check, pack the bus at 08:00 and depart at 08:30. Goodbye Kleinarl, we will miss you. After our goodbyes and thanks, the choir performed Habanathi for our hosts, Gerhard Bayer, a close friend of Bernard Kruger, who arranged our stay and performances in Kleinarl, and Anja Fritzenwallner, the owner of Pension Aja where we stayed.

And we were off to Vienna and settled in for our 5-hour bus journey…

We stopped for lunch and the occasional bathroom break. To quote our tour guide Karel “even if you don’t have to go you have to at least try!”. We stopped for a quick McDonalds lunch – 58 meals and then passed the town of the yodeler, Landenwang. This is the the original artist of Der Lanfenwanger Jodler which the choir now performs.

An hour outside Vienna the staff took on a steaming mission to ensure that all boys would be fully kitted and stage-ready. Picture this… two steamers, a team of five, a tight space on the bus and the wobbly struggle for refills – teamwork does make the dream work.

Opening ceremony – Summa Cum Laude International Youth Music Festival

When we arrived in Vienna we took a 10-minute walk through the awe-inspiring streets to St Stephen’s for the opening ceremony of the Summa Cum Laude International Youth Music Festival 2022. After a last-minute H&M run to ensure they were performance-ready, the Kearsney boys we were joined by another eight ensembles competing namely

• Apulian Youth Symphony Orchestra (Italy)
• Camerata Junior Thun (Switzerland)
• Die Temelanner-Jugendbarockorchester der GEDOK Stuttgart (Germany)
• Ensemble de la Mediterrania (Spain)
• Jerusalem Cnoservatory Hassadna – Youth Wind Orchestra (Israel)
• MYO Mondaino Youth Orchestra (Italy)
• Pioneer Youth Philharmonic (Bulgeria)
• Puchheimer Jugendkammerorchester (Germany)

The choir performed the beautiful Ukrainian lullaby Khodyt Zaychyk at the opening ceremony. We then made our way through to Eventhotel Pyramide where we will be staying for the next five nights. With a welcome buffet, a short rehearsal and an early evening we will be competition-ready for tomorrow! Summa Cum Laude – hear our Kearsney call.

We are unfortunately unable to capture our own photographs of tomorrow’s competition however all competition photos will be available on the Summa Cum Laude webpage.
https://www.sclfestival.org/

Fun fact about Vienna: all the embankments along the river Danube are available to street artists to showcase their talents.

Day 4: Saturday 02 July

Competition time

We are in one of the world’s music capitals, and today is competition day. The Kearsney Choir gathered in the hotel, adorned in their competition coats, already making an impression on the ensembles that passed through. The nervous tension is palpable, but excitement prevailed. After a quick check of instruments, uniforms and what has become our customary throat lozenge distribution, we set off to the Golden Hall of Musikverein where the day’s competition is scheduled to unfold. The Golden Hall is famous for hosting the annual worldwide broadcast of the New Year’s Concert by the Vienna Philharmonics, and for being the permanent seat of the Vienna Philharmonics and main stage of the Vienna Mozart Orchestra. Apart from its opulence and abundance of golden statues, the Golden Hall fascinates the concert guests by being a unique architectonic and acoustic masterpiece.

Our warm-up and rehearsal took place in the Brahms Hall, a smaller performance space adjoining the Golden Hall. After a few vocal exercises and a pep talk, the Kearsney boys were ready for their stage rehearsal. As we were first up, the stage placement for the choir needed to be adequately rehearsed. After quick replenishment of throat spray, we were ready to set the stage alight. The repertoire for the morning consisted of El Hombre Armado (Medieval melody), Trinklied, Awakening the Ancestors, Khoydt Zaychyk (Ukrainian lullaby), Sucker (Jonas Brothers) and last Sab’ Inganono (Afraid of the Cannons).

The choir gave their all In this unbelievable performance. Their synchronisation was flawless! The audience was enthralled from the first note, holding their breath and quaking in anticipation. We were bursting with pride and watched as people expressed their amazement and surprise at the unfamiliar songs and performance style. Each item on the programme was met with thunderous applause, and the final performance received a three-minute-long standing ovation by the judging panel and audience. The crowd had to be quietened down to permit the judges to comment. The choir was thanked for making the journey to Vienna to compete and complimented for their performance. The audience rose to their feet again and continued their ovation. Kearsney staff were highly emotional after the performance and, as the choir returned to the main hall, the audience lauded them for the final time. Competition done! Relief and anxiety rise as we ride out the next few days before the results are revealed. We settled in to watch the other ensembles perform.

Museum of Music experience

After a quick change of clothes and wearing more relaxed smiles, we headed off to lunch at the park and walked to the Haus der Music, Vienna’s music museum that showcases the diversity of music. This interactive museum engaged our boys as they moved through four floors of musical history, science and entertainment. The first floor was the founding place of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, the second was Sonotopia Science Centre which explores the science behind music, the third is dedicated to classical composers and on the fourth floor, you could conduct the orchestra virtually.

Amusement Park time out

After experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions, it was time to get on a real rollercoaster! Wiener Amusement Park. Much to the boys’ delight, our visit began with a ride on the famous Giant Ferris Wheel. This marvel of engineering was built in 1897 to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Emperor Franz Josef I. It was then burnt down and rebuilt in 1945 and stood tall overlooking the amusement park. The boys (and some men) could not contain their excitement to try the biggest, fastest and scariest rides – Black Mamba, Boomerang, Discovery Revolution and the House of Psycho to name a few. While some of us tried to conquer our fears, others enjoyed other activities that had less of an adrenalin rush, and for one boy, it meant a long nap at Burger King. Some boys were eager to share their adventures on the ride home. However, a few suffered the consequence of the g-forces at play and became close friends with the porcelain rim. Great fun was had by all. Full tummies and an early bedtime. Yoh,what a ride!

Kearsney Choir wins Male Choirs category

The results for the Summa Cum Laude competition Male Choirs category were released today, Sunday 03 July. The Kearsney College Choir came 1st in the category with a rating of “Outstanding Success”.

The boys are excited to be taking part in the Gala Winners’ Concert on the afternoon of 05 July.

Unfortunately we do not have any video of the performance to share at this point, as photography and videoing was not permitted in the venue for the competition. We have posted some of the official photographs taken with Saturday’s update above.

Day 5: Sunday 03 July

Today was the start of the Summa Cum Laude concerts. Our first concert was in the Das MuTH, pronounced ‘moot’, a breathtaking 400-seater theatre with rich red velvet chairs and remarkable acoustics. This is the concert hall of the Vienna Boys’ Choir. https://muth.at/en/home-en/ 

After a sound check at 10:00 and the necessary rearrangement of instruments, we were ready to showcase our full concert for the first time since being on tour. The Ensemble de la Mediterránia orchestra opened the programme with a stunning sequence of classics and a disciplined setting.

After a short interval, our boys’ nerves began to settle as the time for them to perform arrived. Again, the choir let heart and character carry their performance. Chef (Mr Bernard Kruger) conducted poetically to give the best performance on tour. The audience was in the palm of their hands, receiving multiple standing ovations for The Ancestors, Bonk’Abaphandle, Sucker and Sab’Inganono, the choir became an instant must-see for other ensembles and the audience of Vienna. With the Spanish orchestra’s support, the performance’s high resonated throughout the day, creating a jovial attitude among the choir.

SA’s ambassador to Austria, Slovenia and Slovakia, Mr Rapulane Molekane, was attending the concert. He congratulated the choir and showed appreciation for promoting South African culture. We would like to thank Mr Molekane and his wife for their attendance and ongoing support on our tour. 

On leaving Das MuTH, our boys were presented with more applause out on the streets with an impromptu Macarena dance from the Spanish cluster where the spirit of Shosholoza ran through the streets. This memory will not be forgotten. 

Sunday afternoon

The boys were ready for their afternoon workshops after a short drive to the University of Music and Performing Arts. They enjoyed a packed lunch on the grass in the quad before the first workshop, led by Mr David Slatter, an Australian conductor. After an hour of rehearsal of Trinklied, we were given our first critique of our competition performance. The Ancestors was the highlight of the performance. Some comments were:
Amazing program, soloists and choreography;
Outstanding performance, outstanding success rating.

Our second workshop was with Mr Saul Zaks, the festival’s artistic director. Together with Khodyt Zaychyk, the choir worked through the pieces to be performed at the Gala Winners’ Concert on Wednesday.

THE RESULTS ARE IN! 

Around 17:00 we learned that the results had been published. We were thrilled to be placed first in the men’s choir category. Congratulations to Chef (Mr Bernard Kruger) and the performers for their tireless energy and dedication.

With the day nearing an end the inevitable laundromat visit had to be tackled. After washing all performance outfits and taking an Uber back to the hotel, an evening of relaxation and rest was well overdue. 

Each day brings new friends, new memories and new experiences.

Another win for Bernard, another win for the boys and another win for Kearsney College. We thank those supporters who could travel from South Africa to Vienna. Your support is truly cherished.

Day 6: Monday 04 July

Vienna and open air concert

Shopping is my cardio! Ten thousand steps before 11:00! We had some time in our programme, so decided to get retail therapy.

Our first stop was at the Westfield Shopping Sud, the biggest mall in Austria, consisting of various chain and designer stores. The boys shopped to their hearts’ delight and scored trendy sneakers, jackets, T-shirts, toys, sweet treats and trinket gifts for family and friends. All were keen to share their purchases and any bargains they found.

After lunch at McDonalds, we returned to St Stephen’s Square to explore the area before leaving for Wagram, one of Austria’s wine regions. But we had to try the world-famous iced delights from Eissalon am Schwedenplatz before leaving. The medley of flavours was a pleasure after a scorching day out.

After a fantastic Italian buffet of various pasta dishes, salads and delectable desserts at Mörwald Relais and Chateaux restaurant, we set off for Wagram. The day’s main activity was to perform at an open-air concert.

Bernard Kruger had arranged an entertaining repertoire to delight the audience, who waited in anticipation for the concert, having heard of our success in the previous two days. Word had got around that our performances were show-stoppers.

By now, ominous clouds had gathered before the warmup, and a light drizzle began.

“When angels sing, it won’t rain”; truer words were never spoken!
The choir was in top form and had the audience eating out of their hands. We performed our entire repertoire, eliciting intrigue and curiosity when Bernard Kruger explained the text of the “Ancestors” song, which our host translated for the audience.

The host had a special surprise for the boys. Not the usual treats, but sheet music. He proposed that the choir join the audience in singing a traditional yodel. Despite seeing the sheet music for the first time and only having a quick run-through, the Kearsney choir did us proud and astonished the audience. We have become accustomed to receiving standing ovations after our performances.

After congratulations and exchange of thank you gifts, we were invited to join the community for drinks and snacks. Most slept on the one-hour-long journey back “home”, exhausted after a busy but fulfilling day.

Mrs Vanessa Govender

We are in beautiful Prague

Restaurant Michal, a quaint little folklore eatery, served us a three-course meal. Starters were cream cheese wrapped in grilled aubergines, served with Parma ham and a rocket salad drizzled with a balsamic dressing; mains were tender chicken breast pieces served with roast potatoes and a delicious tomato sauce, and dessert was a duet of mini pecan nut tarts and variation of a baked cheesecake, served with a spot of cream. Yummy!

A brisk walk along the banks of Vltava, to the bus, was a great way to get a glimpse of the city and to work off our hearty meal.

After we arrived at our hotel the boys eagerly explored the area. Despite having a filling supper, boys were drawn across the street by the tantalising aroma of pizza from Pizza Sissi – enormous pizzas at affordable prices. After tucking into a second supper, some took advantage of the Lime scooters and bikes and rode around the quiet streets.

Based on the sneak preview we experienced today, we look forward to exploring more of this gorgeous city tomorrow.

Mrs Vanessa Govender

Day 9: Thursday 07 July

A day in Prague!

Waking up in Praha, in the Hotel International, boys had time to recover and eat an apt buffet breakfast before taking on the day of our final performance for the tour. After departing the hotel around 09h30 we headed to the central shopping district, which has a lively atmosphere. After being dropped off with a 10-minute walk ahead of us across the Svatopluk Cech bridge where waters were over decorated with paddle boats, swans and activity, we made our way through to The Palladium – a 4-tier shopping mall filled with cut-rate discounts if you took the time to find them. Thank goodness I tagged along with my mother on those shopping sprees growing up.  

Some boys took the opportunity to head through to Old Town Square, a 5-minute walk, to experience the glorious history of Prague. With a continual eye out for buses and trams, the boys enjoyed the freedom to explore and spend the allowance given to them. The priority purchase for the tour must be shoes; I have never seen so many boxes after a room clean-up before checkout. After a quick power nap, our last performance beckoned, and we headed to the Czech Museum of Music. A 15-minute walk to the venue, as buses are not permitted in the hive streets of Prague, we were welcomed by Chalupa – the organiser of the evenings event that has been setting shoes in the museum for the past 24 years. A fully booked performance in a museum with unparalleled acoustics – this would be the last concert of the tour.  

Our last concert!

Starting the concert on the first floor, the audience was dazzled by the vocals offered by our boys. This was also the first concert that the choir performed, Euphoria. An end to yet another bewitching show with post-improvised performances to leave Prague wanting more. Packing up, all staff members took this opportunity to take have their go at percussion; though we believe we could hold old rhythm, our talents may be best suited for the classroom. A quick walk to our bus and then back to the hotel where we were treated to a late buffet dinner, which was gobbled up, followed by an evening of recollection of the tour and packing. Boys were given time to revel in the electric scooters, bicycles and overcrowd the small Italian pizzeria before tucking in.  

Day 9: Friday 08 July

Our last day in Europe.

It’s our last day in Europe, and there are mixed feelings. While we are homesick and craving the comforts of home, we thoroughly enjoy the nuances experienced in Europe. Today we get to explore old Prague with a visit to its medieval castle.

The castle was 880 by Prince Bořivoj from the Přemyslov family and served as the presidential office. The castle consists of an extensive collection of palaces and church buildings of various architectural styles – from the remains of Romanesque buildings from the 10th century to the Gothic modifications of the 14th century. Prague Castle includes Gothic St. Vitus Cathedral, Romanesque Basilica of St. George, a monastery, several palaces, gardens, and defence towers. The Kearsney Choir performed a part of the repertoire in the St Vitus Cathedral, mesmerising the patrons to a standstill. We continued to explore the castle its surrounds and, had a quick visit to the coffee shop before an impromptu gumboot dance and “Shosholoza” outside the cathedral, and finally headed down the cobble-stone streets towards Charles Bridge.  

Day 10: Saturday 09 July

We are home.

Mama Africa! After a memorable tour of Kleinarl, Salzburg, Vienna and Prague, we arrived home to the warmest welcome from our families and friends. Parents prepared a celebration of balloons and banners. SABC news was ready and waiting to greet our choir as well. Growing in excitement and anticipation, the crowds began singing “Shoshaloza “. Others danced and some ululated, and finally, the boys emerged singing “Mtana Ka Ma “. It was highly emotional and resonated throughout the airport. The boys broke into “Shozaloza “before an emotional reunion with their loved ones. Kudzai Kamendo and Benjamin Burton were both interviewed by the press. Warm goodbyes and gracious thank yous were expressed to the staff. All tired from our journey but content to be home while we remissness about an unforgettable trip to Europe – one that will never be erased from memory. How fortunate we are to have been a part of this beautiful experience. We are honoured to have shared our talent and culture with the world.