It was announced on 8 October that a sister choir and joint venture agreement has been signed between the Calicantus Choral School from Locarno Switzerland, and the South Cape Music Foundation based in George.
The two choirs shared cultural exchange workshops on 7 October and found that their visions for music and choral development m atch perfectly.
They signed an agreement to join efforts for:
Developing the youth of Switzerland and South Africa by undertaking cultural exchange projects;
- To create unity through diversity;
- To join their efforts in arranging choral- and music development projects, camps and schools;
- To research and exchange original music produced in both countries and thereby creating a library of high quality original music;
- To serve as bilateral satellite offices in both countries, endea-vouring to strengthen cultural relations between their respective countries and continents.
According to Pieter Pepler, chairman of the South Cape Music Foundation, this landmark agreement creates the South Cape Music Foundation’s first foothold in the continent of Europe. "Plans were also discussed to widen our footprint to include other major European cities and even the USA."
He believes that the time is ripe for cultural institutions from developed nations to support sustainable cultural development initiatives in South Africa.
The South Cape Children’s Choir was surprised by the appreciation that Europeans show for their concerts.
At the end of their performances, the audiences call them back to the stage over and over to hear more of their songs.
Double standing ovations have become the norm for every one of the concerts during the tour.
The halls are fully booked and halfway through the 15-day tour, their complete stock of CDs have been sold out.
At their concert in Solingen, a business owner ordered 120 copies of the choir’s latest double CD, to hand out as Christmas gifts to the clients of his factory.
