Arno Carstens, Loyiso Bala and Maties – all names recognisable to South Africans and even abroad, regardless of their backgrounds or preferences. Carstens – one of South Africa’s most iconic rock stars and member of the Springbok Nude Girls. Bala – a gospel singer and former Idols SA judge. And Maties – traditionally known for their academics and sport, particularly the Varsity Cup.
But few will know that all three have a strong bond with choir singing. Arno Carstens was a member of school choirs from his primary school days right through high school, long before we all fell in love with Another Universe. Bala was both a member and a choir conductor of Drakensberg Boys’ Choir. And Maties were recently crowned champions of the World Choir Games.
The reason that all three are as seldom associated to the word ‘choir’ as Jonty Rhodes is to the word ‘hockey’ is simple: it’s the platform. A talented rugby player could be on the average couch fan’s radar as early us under-16 level thanks to the exposure they receive at junior level. The competitions, TV-time and vast number of opportunities to make a career out of rugby all encourage young talented players to pursue their dreams.
But what about choir singing? Apart from the Mzanzi Youth Choir or the Drakensberg Boys’ Choir, how many South Africans have been exposed to the beauty, technicality and brilliance of choir singing? Not many. But that’s not because South Africa aren’t ready to embrace it wholeheartedly; the two have just never been introduced…until now.
Varsity Sports is about to change choir singing in South Africa forever. In fact, they have already begun to do so. Varsity Sing not only provides a platform for young university singers to showcase their talents to TV viewers and South Africans seated on their couches across South Africa, but it introduces choir singing to an audience who never knew the wonders of choir singing.
The benefit of Varsity Sing is twofold. Like a blind date, Varsity Sing has introduced an audience of TV viewers, who would otherwise never have seen what choir singing has to offer, to a group of the most talented choral singers in the world, longing for an audience.
The two have quickly become acquainted and found much in common. University choirs are eager to entertain and TV viewers and live audiences are desperate to be entertained. And when Maties broke the ice last week, it was love at first sight sound.
While hundreds of students may not be signing up to join choirs just yet, and as a career option choir singing is still no rugby, it’s a start. A pioneering step in the right direction.
And right now it’s the beginning of a special relationship between university choirs and an audience completely new to the cultural experience that awaits them. And for that, Varsity Sing is happy to play matchmaker.
Catch Varsity Sing Thursday nights at 20:30 on kykNET. Click here for the full schedule.
