0 of 2
The best school choral voices in SA are from none other than the Friendly City, specifically Pearson High School, which won the 2025 ATKV-Applous National Choir Competition.
Almost 300 school choirs were vying for the title, with Pearson conquering the final to claim the open category.
The choir was among 37 ensembles invited to compete in the finals at the ZK Matthews Auditorium at Unisa in Pretoria across the open, merit and prestige categories, with the latter two divisions being prescribed work that had to be sung.
Pearson’s public relationship officer, Wendy Westraadt, said the choir received the national invite while preparing for an upcoming tour to Cape Town.
“Lynne Gouws and Anton Steyn were advised that Pearson had progressed to the national level of the competition,” Westraadt said.
“Gouws recalled how she found out during a choir practice and felt it best to only tell the choir when practice was finished.
“They were curious why I was giggling so much,” Gouws said.
Westraadt said the real hard hours began thereafter.
“After receiving the announcement, the nearly 100 Pearson choir members began their practices in earnest.
“After many hours, four hours per week, sometimes more, the choir was ready to take on the challenge against the other three competing schools [in the open category], namely Hatfield Christian School from Pretoria, Hoërskool Jeugland and Maranatha Christian School, both from Kempton Park.
“Pearson was the last choir to perform, which brought with it many nerve-wracking hours of waiting,” she said.
“The long wait did not deter the Pearson learners from singing with passion, capturing the audience with their energy and vibrancy.”
Westraadt said when the announcement was made it was an emotional moment for the staff, pupils and parents.
“After the judges had conferred, the placings were announced, with Pearson High School being named the winner of the open category.
“The Pearson choir has shown that, among many of the excellent art, design, performing arts and music accomplishments, it is a force to be reckoned with.
“We are very proud of our choir and the achievements it has earned.”
The Herald
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.