August 2, 2010 It started in Linz/Österreich in 2000: a choir from South Africa wowed the audience. The singers went on stage in rubber boots and captured everybody’s heart in no time at all. The young choir from South Africa won a gold medal and became Champion in the category “Scenic Folklore”. I was fascinated.

Four years later, the winner’s streaks of success continue in Bremen/Germany. Young girls were delighted. Every day, the choir performed its boot-dance in different places of the city, always accompanied by an enthusiastic audience. And the South Africans got the coveted trophy in the category “Folklore” once more.

In China in 2006 I saw them again, this time they were surrounded by a gaggle of Chinese girls looking for autographs. They seemed like little pop stars with a great future. Darlings of the public. But this time they shouldn’t become a Champion. In Graz/Austria 2008 the Koreans went on stage and left second place to the boys. Should they become the “almost guys”?

Last week I stood close to them when amongst other choirs they were waiting excitedly, arm in arm, for the announcement of their points at the 6th World Choir Games in the big main venue. The results of the category “Folklore with choreography” were announced at last. The guys have been over a cheerful evening and four hours waiting time and seemed to be really exhausted. A girl’s choir from South Africa joined them. Hand in hand they stood – in front of the boys and the girl’s of “Tygerberg Children’s Choir” that shared their excitement. Will they become a Champion this year? The tension between the singers seemed to be hardly bearable.

I was feeling incredibly sad, because I was holding the results in my hands and I knew they were going to win a gold medal but again won’t be the Champion. As the moment neared that the choir was announced as last but one, they dropped, full of disappointment. Some of them cried. The girls stood next to them without moving. After a while one after the other came up and tried to bring a silent comfort to them. Thinking of this moment my tears are still flowing.

Dear Kearsney College Choir, cheer up! You’re our favourites and we’re hoping to see you again in Cincinnati 2012!

(dag)

Addition: This video is showing Kearsney College Choir’s performance in Bremen 2004.