SMC Choir Heads to World Choir Games In South Africa

Saint Mary’s Chamber Singers and Glee Club are South Africa bound. The group is headed off to participate in the 2018 World Choir Games (WCG). SMC’s choir will join 20,000 singers in choral groups representing 44 countries for the world’s largest choir celebration, held July 4-14 in the South African city of Tshwane. 

“We leave from SFO on Saturday, July 7, and will participate in the second week of the games, July 10-14, beginning with a parade of nations where we, along with around eight other American choirs, will represent the USA,” said Director of Saint Mary’s Chamber Singers and Glee Club Julie Ford.

SMC’s reputation for excellence has been recognized once again. The WCG program book notes that both the Glee Club and Chamber Singers have qualified for the Champions Competition of the games. The singers are hoping to repeat Saint Mary’s 2014 success, when both choirs won gold medals at the World Choir Games in Riga, Latvia. 

SMC’s Chamber Singers and Glee Club will perform a number of selections during the competition, including Mornin’ by Al Jarreau, Here, There And Everywhere and Blackbird by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, and the Kenyan folk song Wana Baraka.

Established 20 years ago, the World Choir Games occurs every two years, welcoming all nonprofessional choirs of the world to participate. The games offer fair and realistic competition to experienced competitive choirs in the Champions Competition category, and additional opportunities for choirs with relatively little international experience to showcase their talents. 

While the exact time and location are still being worked out, SMC’s choir plans to hold a free concert on Friday, July 6 for the SMC community—an opportunity to come out and hear great music and wish the students luck at the 2018 World Choir Games. Community members are encouraged to check out SMC’s social media channels for updates about the concert.