South Africa’s famous Drakensberg Boys Choir on their way to Wells Cathedral

Drakies will showcase their musical talents to UK audiences for their Hear Us Sing UK Tour

23 August 2024

What: The Drakensberg Boys Choir will perform at Wells Cathedral, showcasing their outstanding choral works and Afro-Pop tunes. The Wells Cathedral School and the Wells Cathedral Choristers will join them on stage.

When: Wednesday, 25 September, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. BST

Where: Wells Cathedral, Cathedral Green, Wells, BA5 2UE, United Kingdom

Details: Join the Drakensberg Boys Choir for a memorable performance in the stunning Wells Cathedral. Their diverse repertoire, blending classical and Afro-Pop music, will captivate the audience. UK audiences can look forward to experiencing a captivating blend of classical masterpieces and infectious pop hits. The repertoire will range from the timeless compositions of Carl Orff and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart to the vibrant rhythms of Afro-pop and traditional African contemporary works, promising to enchant audiences of all tastes. The Drakies, as the choir is also affectionately known, will offer the melodic genius of Ola Gjeilo, Knut Nystedt, and works from other celebrated composers during the tour.

Tickets: Tickets are available for purchase here from only £20.21.

About the Drakensberg Boys Choir:  The Drakensberg Boys Choir School (DBCS) aims to prepare boys for life and leadership through excellence in music, academics, sports, and social enrichment in a Christian environment. Known affectionately as "Drakie boys," students are moulded to harness their musical talents to bring hope and positive change in South Africa and globally. With a 57-year history, DBCS is the only established choir school in South Africa, earning international respect and producing young men of exemplary character.

For many of our talented boys, attending this world-class choir school is a long-held dream come true. The blessing of talent does not only come to boys from families that can afford to pay for their children's unique education in the Drakensberg. Unfortunately, a boy's world-class talent cannot be realised due to a lack of funding. As a result, the Drakies bursary fund is critical in providing deserving boys with the opportunity to perform on the world choir stage, an honour they would not have had without generous donations to our bursary fund. Proceeds from the UK tour will go to the bursary fund.

Join us for a magical evening of music and experience the excellence of the Drakensberg Boys Choir, a genuinely South African national treasure.

The Wells Cathedral School and the Wells Cathedral Choristers - The Drakensberg Boys Choir will be joined for this special performance by the Choristers of Wells Cathedral Choir and the musicians and singers of Wells Cathedral School. The Wells Cathedral Choristers are the treble voices of the world-renowned Wells Cathedral Choir; lauded by Gramophone magazine as the world’s leading choir with children. They continue a tradition that dates back to the 10th century AD. Originally constituted as a choir for men and boys, Wells has been delighted to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the girl choristers in 2024. The Choir has been praised for its innovative recordings as well as for its rich and varied liturgical repertoire. It has premiered works by some of the finest composers of our time, including Michael Berkeley, Judith Bingham, Bob Chilcott, Jonathan Dove, Cecilia McDowall, James MacMillan, Peter Maxwell Davies, John Rutter and many more. The Choristers of Wells Cathedral are educated at Wells Cathedral School, which is one of only four specialist music schools supported by the UK government’s 'Music and Dance Scheme'. The School’s own choirs have an international reputation and maintain a busy schedule of concerts, recordings and broadcasts. They have toured extensively to Europe and the Far East and have been prize winners in major international competitions including ‘Let the Peoples Sing’, ‘Musica Eterna Roma’, ‘BBC Choir of the Year', and most recently at the “International Choral Festival of Preveza’.

Wells Cathedral, set on the western slopes of the Mendip Hills in the medieval city of Wells in Somerset, has been a sacred site beside freshwater springs for over 1000 years. The 12th-century building is both beautiful and historic, and it is a centre of Christianity that has attracted pilgrims and visitors over the centuries. Its calm and light atmosphere never ceases to inspire everyone inside. The boys are excited to perform for royalty in such a beautiful Cathedral with a rich history.