PRG BeKOOR: Culture Brought to Life

Philippe Andro

This May, Paul Roos Gymnasium continued its annual tradition of hosting the delightful BeKOOR Culture Evening: an exhibition of the incredible choir talent that all of Stellenbosch and its surrounding areas have to offer. Full of graceful, powerful and heartfelt performances – with just a hint of Jazz in between – the event hosted an array of Afrikaans, English and isiXhosa performances, which made for a proud display of South Africa’s diverse cultural talent. The Bloemhof Accelerando Choir opened the evening on an impressive note. Consisting of 79 members, the choir was conducted by the experienced Marijke Roos. The choir accentuates that its choral music is driven by its adoration for music and being able to share it with those around them.

The choir began the evening on a high note, as they performed a repertoire including Ekundungo, Praise His holy name, In the bleak midwinter and My Soul’s been anchored in the Lord.

The Bridge House choir, consisting of 17 members, followed. This choir was only recently established and is conducted by Heloïse Richter. Their impressive repertoire included: MLK, Say Something, Adiemus and Manosimane.

Hoërskool Stellenbosch’s choir was next to perform. Consisting of 85 members, the choir strives to educate each of its singers to understand their unique role within a larger ensemble, one that greatly encourages authentic individuality and expression through their music. Conducted by Jared Hanekom, the choir performed a memorable repertoire which included: Laudate, Hashivenu,

Ukuthula and No Room, No Room.

A sudden change of pace emerged during the event’s interval, when the PRG Senior Rock Band made a surprise appearance. They performed a wealthy repertoire of Jazz, Pop and Rock songs, which kept the musical energy high. Following the interval was the Rhenish Girls’ High Choir. Consisting of 96 members, the all-girls choir believes that the positive spirit and camaraderie between its members are the key ingredients to their choral endeavours. Conducted by Petra Jerling, the choir performed an eloquent repertoire which included: Luisterliedjie , Rackety Brackety and Prayer of St Francis of Assisi. The event crescendoed with the Paul Roos Gymnasium Choir’s performance. Thanks to the inspired appointment of Mr Stephan Bezuidenhout and Mr Cezarre Strydom, the PRG choir has gained a strong reputation as one of the strongest high school choirs that the Western Cape has to offer. Consisting of 97 members, they harnessed their brotherhood, pride and excellence to accentuate the presence and impact of their performance. They performed a spectacular repertoire of U is Die Bron, Uit Hierdie Ligte Herfs, Sea Fever and Thuma Mina.

The Paul Roos Gymnasium choir concluded a magical evening of cultural delight. Thanks to the incredible help of the organisers, the choirs and the conductors, the event was a marvellous success. It will be surely missed until its much anticipated reappearance next year.