Saturday, 30 June update

This was always going to be the highlight of the first week on tour – the climax of all the preparation as well as the combined rehearsals for the massed choir performance in the General Assembly Hall of the United Nations. There was a distinct irony that the seven choirs drawn from all over the world were working together on a world premier of the “Song of Peace” by Jean Sibelius and arranged by Gary Fry in the very hall where representatives of 165 nations of the world had been discussing “Counter terrorism” only twenty four hours previously. Today was however about furthering the cause of peace and co-operation amongst nations and people.

Early morning endorsement of the “Rhythms of One World” Festival and for the Kearsney choir came in the form of today’s New York Times whose Vivienne Schweitzer was reviewing the performances during the week. She writes, “The energy level rose dramatically during the final presentation by the male Kearsney College choir from South Africa. In red boots, black trousers and shirts with animal-print patterns, the choristers offered a vividly choreographed lineup that included traditional Zulu songs …” More support came in the form of Old boys and their wives, some of whom had travelled for hours to Manhattan for the performance. Kearsney parents, relatives and friends were also in attendance for the concert which started early afternoon on a swelteringly hot New York summer’s day.

Kearsney was the last choir in the line-up of seven and they chose to perform three of their songs from the “Music of the Religions” repertoire. The third, Ichokwadi had the audience clapping and rejoicing, with Africans in the audience ululating their approval and appreciation. The concert concluded with the massed choir rendition of Rhythms of One World, which involved audience participation as well. The message of international co-operation and peace and the power of music to get this across was evident in the standing ovation given by the audience.

Next up was a sunset cruise for the hundreds of participants and officials involved in the International Choral Festival. All were struck by the Manhattan skyline as the sun was setting, lighting up the skyscrapers in the gold of reflected sunlight. The ferry past the aircraft carrier Intrepid with the newly acquired Space Shuttle on its deck. Turning south, the vessel forged down the Hudson, passing the glowing multi-faceted structures of the emerging buildings on the site of the World Trade Centre and then, looking east, silhouetted against the orange sky of the setting sun, the Statue of Liberty with the flame lit up, a symbol of the American determination never to allow the fire of liberty to be snuffed out.

Meanwhile ……. there was much festivity happening on all four decks of the ferry or love boat as it quickly became known as. Bruce Springsteen’s Born in the USA as well as Liza Manelli’s New York belted out at full volume whilst many of the happy choristers took the cultural exchange component to the limit. Jonathan Johanssen was requested to sing Josh Groben’s You raise me up which earned him a massive ovation and four pilot fish for the rest of the evening. There was much concern for Bheki Hlongwane from the senior boys who felt he was punching well above his weight. All’s well that ends well and the boys returned to the Hyatt, a group of successful hunter gatherers. Much packing and clearing of rooms lay ahead of them as we move on to Washington tomorrow morning after six days in the Big Apple. An early departure will be necessary as the choir will participate in the praise and worship session of one of Harlem’s most vibrant churches at the early morning service. Shazi is bound to be in his element!