Drakensberg Diaries: The Drakensberg Boys’ Choir in South Africa

Traveling to South Africa? Well, you’re going to Cape Town, right? And you want to see if you can get the big 5? Here is something that is better than Cape Town. Better than the Big 5. And it’s the Drakensberg Boys’ Choir. There aren’t many things that are unique or world-class about South Africa, but the Drakensberg Boys’ Choir is one of them.

The doors opened in 1965 to the first 20 students, after John Tungay convinced his parents, Ronald and Gwen, to dedicate 100 acres of their farm to the proposed school. The Drakensberg Boys’ Choir was born.

The dream was to create a multiracial and multicultural choral school to rival the Vienna Boys. Not in the middle of an old European city rich in history. But in the slums. In a beautiful, rural, sparsely populated valley in the Drakensberg Mountains of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. The first and only of its kind on the continent.

Today, the annual admission is 100 children between the ages of 9 and 15, and auditions are held all over the country.

The Drakensberg Boys’ Choir tours abroad every year and is internationally recognized as one of the best in the world. And they’re not just holier than brats: After hours, they take to whitewater rafting, rappelling, and hiking in their Drakensberg paradise. They work hard and play hard.

Can you think of anything more sublime than crisp mountain air, majestic mountains, blue skies and natural beauty as far as the eye can see, complemented by the pure tones of countertenor harmony?

Be prepared for diversity. If you like a good track, stay away. The Drakensberg Boys’ Choir has very Catholic tastes. The first half of the concert is classical. You may listen to Bach, Beethoven or Mozart. The second half can be anything. It could be Queen sung in rounds by groups of immaculately trained 12-year-old tenors and bassists. (Freddie Mercury would have loved it.) Gold folk, gold jazz, gold sacred music. Or African harmonies that you have never heard before and that will make you cry.

Come with scarves. And a sweater, for goosebumps. But whatever you do, BE THERE. The Drakensberg Boys’ Choir performs most Wednesdays during term time at 3:30 pm There is a world-class auditorium on campus.

If you’re in the area on a Wednesday, you have time for an early lunch (or late breakfast) and a scenic drive along the R600 route. It is not for nothing that it is called the Champagne Valley. Or if you’re planning for December, go to the Drakensberg Festival Celebration, a four-day musical extravaganza, with many guest artists, Christmas music and shopping stalls.

So if you are coming to South Africa sure Cape Town is good and you need the big 5. But the Drakensberg is also good. And you really shouldn’t miss this.