Bloemfontein Childrens Choir

Once again the Bloemfontein Children's Choir's Anual Concert was a big success.   Approached with the usual perfection and enthusiasm there was a slight difference.  The concert was held in the Odeion at the University of the Free State on September 13, 2008,  The sound of the choir was improved with the excellent acoustics in this unique hall.  The program delivered a range of serious, touching and light music. 

After the break there was a mass choir item where old members of the choir and also the parents of the current members sang together.  None other than the famous Hymn to Freedom could have made this moment more special!  Anrie Pienaar, also an old choir member, delivered an outstanding performance with her sister, Mariske.  They sang The Flower Duet with alot of confidence and musical brilliance. The second half of the program was enjoyed by the audience beyond measures. 

During the production the choir performed two compositions of our own accompanist, Christo Janse van Rensburg:  Tumelo le Kgotso and Rach Quem.  Tumelo le Kgotso was written for the choir for the tour to Japan earlier in the year.  It was one of the conditions for every choir in order to participate at the Songbridge in Wakayama.  It demonstrates the love between our country and others, the pain in our world and also the diversity and unity in Africa.

 Bawo Tixo Somandla, better known as Sounds of Africa took the audience away from our busy city life and gave them the opportunity to experience an African rain forest.  First greeted by a lion, hearing other birds and animals, enjoying the song and finally at awe when hearing the rain and thunder.  All the animal sounds were made by the choir members.

Gabriella's Song from the movie As it is in Heaven, Tears in Heaven and In Dreams from the oh-so-popular Lord of the Rings had the audience close to tears.  A medley of Andrew Lloyd Webber and When you Believe from Prince of Egypt were enjoyed on chairs' edges!

Folk songs were also scattered throughout the program and gave a warm and cosy atmosphere.  Shosoloza, Amabhayesikili, Ntate, Ngwana mo Afrika, Hae na mariki and Ghoema all take part in this section.

 This is something to experience for yourself!

Resensie wat Volksblad oor ons geskryf het.

 Kinderkoor bly professioneel

Die koor is sekerlik een van die mees professionele kore wat SA nog opgelewer het. Die koor se jaarkonserte is sedert sy stigting 'n geleentheid waar geys kan word waartoe hy in staat is en ookwat die kinders die afgelope jaar bereik het. As 'n mens aan die kinders se ouderdomme dink, is dit verstommend om te sien waartoe hulle in staat is. Die produksie het glad verloop en die vermaaklikheidswaarde was hoog. Hierdie is geen laerskool koor nie, te danke aan die dirigent. Die koor is vanjaar uitenooi om aan die Wakayama Songridge geleentheid in Japan deel te neem. Dit wasw lekker om te weet jy gaan nou na 'n koor luister wat oorsee presteer het. En die koor sing goed.  Wat die meeste beindruk, is die intonasie. Deurgaans, en in al die musiekgenres wat hulle gesing het, was die intonasie puik. En die eenvorimigheid van die koor se klank beindruk ook.

Dus verwag 'n mens dat die koor soms meer uitdagende musiek sal sing. Volgens die program bestaan drie kwart van die werke wat gesing is, uit "populere nommers" . 'n Mens verstaan dat gehore gelok moet word en dat sogenaamde "swaar" musiek nie in almal se smaak val nie, maar die program voel bietjie ongebalanseerd. Tydens al hierdie populere nommers, doendie koor deurgaans choreografie, soms baie goed, soms steurend. Dit beinvloed ook die klank. Die intensiteit kan nie behou word as almal die heeltyd beweeg nie. Sodoende sukkel die koor ook om werklik forte te sing.

Die musikale verwerkings deur Anton Esterhuyse is egter uniek. Die koor is ook goed ondersteun deur Christo Janse van Rensburg (begeleier), Hilletje Moller (viool). JC Jacobs (tjello), Margie Anderson (perkussie) en Marie du Buisson (dwarsfluit) . Dit was geensis n swak konsert nieen daar was hoendervleis oomblikke.  Hoogtepunte was Gabriellas song  uit die film As it is in Heaven met goeie soliste, Eric Clapton se Tears in Heaven is hartroerend mooi uitgevoer en die koor se begeleier, Van Rensburg, se Tumelo Le Kgotso (Love and Peace) was indrukwekkend. 'n Oud-kinderkoorlid, Anrie Pienaar, het 'n gasoptrede gemaak. Sy het Stuur groete aan Jeffreysbaai uit haar produksie Met Vlerke wat onlangs op die Volksblad Kunstefees gedebuteer het, gesing.  Sy en haar suster, Mariske Pienaar, het ook Delibes se Flower Duet uitstekend uitgevoer.

Uittreksel uit Volksblad 15 September 2008