Twelve university choirs are ready to use their vocals to show South Africa just how beautifully diverse and rich in culture the country is. But while all the focus will be on the 12 choirs, we can’t forget the three people with the best seats in the house – the three judges who will be adjudicating the competition. They’ll provide critique, feedback, suggestions, but also be just as in awe as the audience at times, joining them in applauding musical masterpieces.
South Africa, here are your three Varsity Sing judges for 2016, who will be joined by a weekly celebrity guest judge to make up a panel of four:
Loyiso Bala
When it comes to the university choir scene, there is no better fit than Loyiso Bala. The South Africa R&B singer’s love of choir music began as a teenager, when he joined the well-known Drakensberg Boys Choir. He went on to study at participating Varsity Sing university, UP-Tuks, and was himself the conductor of the National Youth Choir.
Loyiso has also been a judge on South African singing competition Idols SA. The multi award-winning singer has been in the music industry for 15 years and performed alongside musical legends such as John Legend, Elton John, Alicia Keys and the Black Eyed Peas. He will provide insight into performances that will not only help the audience and viewers improve their understanding of choir singing, but will provide choirs the opportunity to receive feedback from one of the best in the business.
As a former choir member himself, Loyiso’s judging style will be gentle, but honest. He’ll provide useful feedback to the singers as individuals, aiding their choirs to perfect their performances.
Christo Burger
Accomplished conductor Christo Burger has participated in master classes at both the Julliard School of Music in New York and the Royal College of Music in London.
Burger has assembled and created the award-winning Akustika Chamber Singers choir – a choir ranked the third best mixed choir in the world.
Burger also works with the Jacaranda Children’s Choir and St Mary’s Singers, of St Mary’s Doicesan School for Girls in Pretoria. St Mary’s Singers were crowned South Africa’s best girls choir in 2014. He is also the founder of Baobab Music Publishers – a company aiming to create opportunities for South African and international composers, who are able to showcase and sell their work to audiences worldwide.
Burger is an expert on the technicality of choir singing and the overall performances of a choir. His judging style will be technical, but truly authentic.
Marvin Kernelle
Cape Town-born Marvin Kernelle has been performing music since the age of 13. Kernelle joined the Cape Town Opera in 2004, where he was groomed and trained in choral music and educated on the Cape Town Opera’s productions.
Like Bala, Kernelle is also an alumnus of a participating Varsity Sing university. He attended UCT’s Opera School between 2005 and 2007, studying a Performers Diploma in Opera.
Joining the Cape Town Opera Chorus in 2008, Kernelle sung in multiple productions on stages in both South Africa and internationally. For the past two years, he has served as the Cape Town Opera’s Chorus Master.
Kernelle will be seen as one of the ‘stricter’ judges. His attention to detail, knowledge and musical background will mean that choirs have no room for error.
