UPON arriving at Union High School’s hall for the performance by the Drakensberg Boys’ Choir recently, one could already get a feel for the event with excited guests milling about and the evening air thick with anticipation.
The sold-out concert attracted a large number of people from all walks of life, despite the chilly weather.
Audience members quickly funnelled into the hall, filling all the seats.
The transitions between pieces were fluid throughout the evening, as every song, no matter its contrast with the previous song, was transitioned into in a way that never felt disconnected or rushed.
For the songs that were not well-suited for direct musical transitions, the enigmatic conductor Bernard Krüger introduced the selections in confident and interesting ways.
Throughout the evening, it seemed as if the choristers themselves – who succeeded in delivering a well-rounded and impressive performance – were enjoying it just as much as the capacity audience.
They were able to link diverse songs together which made many of the songs stand out and stick in the memory long after the concert was over.
One song that stood out for its ability to move the crowd was Bohemian Rhapsody.
The choir did a wonderful job of creating the perfect atmosphere for the song both through the choristers’ body language and their vocals.
Featuring songs by Stanley Glasser, Lebo M, Ntsika, Hugh Masekela and Mafikizolo, the second half paid homage to iconic artists who fought against inequality and discrimination through their art.
Overall, the entire concert was engaging and left the audience not wanting the concert end.
