Two local youngsters join Drakensberg Boys Choir
They were part of over 800 boys who auditioned for the internationally acclaimed Drakensberg Boys Choir School.
TWO Alberton youngsters, selected for the world-renowned Drakensberg Boys Choir after a rigorous audition process last year, have achieved their concert status.
Sean Morrick (12) and Kamohelo Motlhasedi (10) were part of over 800 boys who auditioned and managed to secure a place at the internationally-acclaimed Drakensberg Boys Choir School, a KwaZulu-Natal school near Winterton that caters for 120 boys between grades four and nine.
Before being allowed to perform in concerts, the new boys have to pass a series of 25 gruelling tests that can take anything from six to eight months to complete. These tests range from music theory and aural training to packing a suitcase and mastering table etiquette.
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Sean achieved his status in May while Kamohelo achieved his in September.
The hard work started back in January as all the new boys had to adapt to practicing choir two hours a day while still keeping on top of their academic work and boarding routines.
Sharing a dormitory with 19 other boys, daily inspections, coping with homesickness, compulsory sport, only going home once a term for holidays and being almost 500km from home were just some of the things they had to get used to.
Once the new boys have achieved their concert status, they still need to pass every song that is part of their repertoire and this is no easy task. The second half of their concert programme consists of traditional South African songs, gumboot routines, dances and even drumming. This, too, has to be passed.
Once the new boys have achieved ‘African status’, they are eligible to be selected for national and international tours.
Besides singing Kamohelo also enjoys playing chess, golf and soccer. His mom Busisiwe Motlhasedi, who researched the school as she wanted to give her musically talented child the best in life, said she is proud of her son.
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“I like his positive spirit in everything that he does. No challenge is too big for him, he conquers all his battles and I know that he will do very well.”
Sean was singing and playing the piano before he started school and with a music teacher as a mother, it was inevitable.
While on holiday in the Drakensberg in October last year, the family attended a concert at the Choir School. Sean was keen to audition and spent a day at the school, where he wrote his entrance exam. Upon returning from holiday, he was thrilled to learn he had been accepted as a Drakie for this year. Sean also enjoys tennis and swimming.
Sean’s former principal, Anne Burger of Brackenhurst Primary School, said that they are proud of his achievement.
“As a Brackenhurst Primary family, we are inordinately proud of Sean. To my knowledge, he is the first boy in the history of the school who has been chosen for the Drakensberg Boys Choir. While Sean had a very bright future at our school, the opportunity afforded to him at Drakies to live his dream is amazing. We know he will go from strength to strength.”
