King’s Foundation Choirs Perform with Drakensberg Boys Choir in Worcester Cathedral

In a remarkable display of talent and collaboration, over 150 pupils from the King’s Foundation choirs took to the stage at Worcester Cathedral alongside the world-renowned Drakensberg Boys Choir from South Africa.

This event, the largest audience of the Drakensberg Choir’s UK tour, featured an extraordinary evening of music, energy, and cultural exchange that left the audience inspired and uplifted.

The Drakensberg Boys Choir, famous for their unique blend of traditional African music, classical, pop, and opera, captivated the audience with their powerful repertoire. Opening with six songs, accompanied by piano and African drums played by their own pupils, they set the tone for an unforgettable night. The choirs from King’s Foundation followed suit, each performing three solo pieces, including King’s Hawford’s renditions of “A Thousand Years,” “Uma Familia,” and “Cantar!” The pupils from King’s St Alban’s also shone, delivering dynamic performances from Bob Chilcott’s The Elements, which were enhanced by creative movements that brought the music to life.

Sophie Hughes, Director of Music and Performance at King’s Hawford reflecting on the concert, praised the event: “For our young children to hear the Drakensberg Boys’ Choir perform and to witness their passion for and dedication to music was truly wonderful. It was a hugely uplifting and inspiring concert, and such a positive experience for all involved.”

The evening reached its climax with all four choirs—around 200 singers—coming together to perform traditional African songs “Shosholoza” and “Masithi Amen.” The combined voices, choreography, and audience participation in “I Just Gotta Sing” created a truly magical atmosphere, with Coldplay’s “Viva la Vida” bringing the entire cathedral to its feet. This final collaboration between the pupils and the Drakensberg Boys Choir was a testament to their hard work, teamwork, and passion for music.

For those lucky enough to attend, or those who missed out, recordings from the concert are now available on SoundCloud. The energy and excitement of the event have been captured for everyone to enjoy.

The concert was not only a showcase of vocal talent but also a celebration of the confidence, joy, and sense of community that radiated from the pupils. For King’s Foundation, this event stands as a reminder of the rich opportunities for students to grow and flourish, musically and personally. As the night concluded, the shared sense of accomplishment and the beauty of the performances ensured that this would be a concert remembered for many years to come.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all those involved in organizing this prestigious event and are incredibly proud of how our pupils represented their schools, performing alongside such an internationally acclaimed choir. This experience will no doubt leave a lasting impression on both the performers and the audience alike.