Flanders sends out its choral ambassadors
Two Belgian choirs join the World Choir Games in South Africa 2018. Jeugdkoor Waelrant and Showkoor Rise Up.
Since its founding the Waelrant ensemble continuously strived to improve its musical skills, which led to great results at several festivals and competitions at home and abroad especially during the last years. In 2010 and 2012 the singers, which have been conducted since 1994 by Marleen De Boo, e.g. obtained a “First Prize cum Laude” at the European Youth Music Festival in Neerpelt and was awarded the highest possible score in March 2015: "Summa cum laude with congratulations of the Jury".
The singers also appeared on TV: During the 2008 and 2011 editions of the Belgian "Choir of the Year” they reached the finals and were awarded the “Prize of the Audience” and the “Klara-Canvas Prize” (national Radio and TV). Furthermore the group made several tours throughout Europe where they continued their success story at several choir competitions: In Gorizia/ Italy (2009) they received the prize of best youth choir at the International Competition of Singing and in Bratislava/ Slovakia (2011) they won two golden and one silver medal at the International Youth Music Festival. In 2014 the choir took part in a Youth Music Competition in Bydgoszcz/ Poland, where they obtained the prize of the Ministry of Culture. They also visited Choralp Briançon (2012 and 2015) and Les Choralies in Vaison la Romaine (2013 and 2016). In July 2017 the choir participated in the 11th International Johannes Brahms Choir Festival and Competition in Wernigerode and became category winner with 2 golden diplomas in its both categories Mixed Youth Choirs and Sacred Music. Furthermore they were selected as one of the best choirs of the competition to take part in the Grand Prize Competition.
The singer’s secret? A good vocal training is the foundation for the choir’s achievements but the decisive element is the close friendship between the singers. Therefore the Waelrant Youth Choir also describes itself as an open and warm group of young people which are eager to learn and always willing to explore new things.
(Source: website Interkultur)
