GEORGE NEWS - The South Cape Children's and Youth Choirs returned from the 74th European Music Festival for Young People (EMJ) in Pelt, Belgium, with outstanding results and international acclaim, marking a triumphant highlight of their 2026 concert tour of Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium.
They achieved double second prizes among 60 participating ensembles from across Europe and beyond.
The children's choir, competing in the pennant series equal-voiced youth choirs category, earned a second prize for their energy, discipline and expressive performance.
The youth choir, remarkably only six months into its formal musical training, also secured a second prize at their first international competition, demonstrating rapid musical growth and confident stage presence. Many members had never flown before this tour, either.
Selected for The Happening, the festival's elite showcase, they were one of only six choirs worldwide invited to perform at the Dommelhof Indoor Stadium before thousands of spectators, earning a standing ovation and major international recognition.
The EMJ is one of Europe's leading youth choral festivals, bringing together high-level ensembles and providing international benchmarking for developing choirs.
At the Sint-Truiden Beguinage Church in Belgium. Photo: Leoni Pretorius
The cultural programme allowed learners to experience historic cities, sacred music venues and collaborative workshops with their European peers, deepening musical understanding and global awareness across three countries.
Tour performances included the Essen Cathedral, Tongerlo and Sint-Truiden, as well as services at the Cologne and Essen cathedrals.
At the Cologne Cathedral. Photo: Leoni Pretorius
Conductor Jan-Erik Swart praised the choirs' development, highlighting the disciplined rehearsal culture, emotional engagement with the repertoire and a distinctive blend of Western art music and African-ethnic works. "Their achievements at the EMJ reflect not only musical excellence, but also the dedication, discipline and joyful spirit that define these young performers. I am extremely proud of them, and look forward to developing their voices in preparation for the World Choir Games."
The tour concluded with a final day in Brussels before the group consisting of the members from Oudtshoorn, Mossel Bay and George departed for Dubai at 15:00 on Tuesday afternoon and arrived in Cape Town on Wednesday afternoon, where they travelled home by bus through the harsh Cape weather.
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