On 26 and 27 March, St Mary’s hosted the eighth annual Singing Sistas choir festival in which six choirs of girls’ schools from Gauteng were invited to perform a programme of stylistically contrasting choral works. The choirs displayed their passion for choral music and showcased the diversity of our South African musical heritage.

The audiences were treated to a mix of classical, traditional and popular music. The St Mary’s senior choir gave an outstanding performance of their renditions of the well-known song by The Beatles Hey Jude and the South African classic Paradise Road. Our wonderful St Mary’s jazz band played an item between each choir’s programme and had the audiences tapping their feet to the beat of the music!

The event was as much fun for the audience as it was for the participating girls who set the stage alight with their flawless melodies, harmonies and movements during the combined choir pieces. This exemplified the unfailing power of music to unite people across cultures and emphasised the importance of occasions such as this. Thank you to Dudley Trollope, Ceri Moelwyn-Hughes, Nomvula Mehlomakhulu and all others involved in the planning of such a memorable event!

Please click on the link below for a taste of one of the combined choir items: https://vimeo.com/264205868/221f54366c

Veneka Paradza

Head of Choir