with the Choirs of Eton College, Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School and Westminster School

Enjoy an enchanting evening with the Drakensberg Boys Choir at Southwark Cathedral. The performance will include a mix of classical choral works and Afro-Pop music, promising a unique and captivating musical experience that highlights the best of South African music. The Drakensberg Boys Choir will bring their renowned choral performances and Afro-Pop sounds to Southwark Cathedral, together with the choirs of Eton College, Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School and Westminster School.

Tickets for this concert are available from the Drakensburg Boys Choir School Eventbrite page.

Music is the ministry of the Drakensberg Boys Choir

The mission of the Drakensberg Boys Choir School (DBCS) is to prepare boys for life and leadership through excellence in music, academics, sports, and social enrichment in a Christian environment. Life at DBCS builds character and moulds and develops boys to harness the gift of music to bring hope, impact, and positive change in South Africa and beyond. DBCS offers a unique, complete, and diverse schooling experience that will forever change the life of every student, or Drakie boy as they are affectionately known, by being part of this centre of excellence. DBCS builds resilience, grows relationships, and fosters global ambassadors with music as the tool for God’s glory.

• The world-renowned Drakensberg Boys Choir is a true South African national asset
• The Drakensberg Boys Choir premium music brand is internationally respected
• DBCS is a values-driven middle school that produces young men of exemplary character
• Varied music repertoire from classic choral work to Afro-Pop vibes, representing the best of South African music across the diverse cultures of the rainbow nation
• DBCS is the only established choir school in South Africa with a solid reputation at home and abroad with a 57-year-old proud history
• Drakie boys are accomplished musicians and consummate performers
• DBC hosts weekly concerts in its well-equipped 600-seater Ken MacKenzie Auditorium on campus in the majestic Drakensberg mountains.

Eton College Chapel Choir

The Foundation of Eton College in 1440 by King Henry VI provided 10 men and 16 boys to sing chapel services, and, with a few breaks, the choir has been singing in Eton College Chapel from then until the present day. Although singing for services in the College Chapel remains the choir’s principal duty, increasingly the choir can be heard further afield. Each year the choir embarks on an international tour, with recent destinations including Spain, Portugal, Japan, India, Germany, Latvia and Hong Kong. The choir performs regularly in the UK with recent performances including concerts with The Sixteen, and a performance of Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms with the Hong Kong Philharmonic under Leonard Slatkin.

The Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School Choir

The Cardinal Vaughan Schola Cantorum (Director Scott Price) is the liturgical choir of The Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School, Kensington. Alongside serving the liturgy of the school the Schola also has frequent external engagements and is heard in concert halls and churches all across the UK and further afield. The Schola has appeared at the BBC Proms and the Aldeburgh Festival and its voices features on numerous famous film soundtracks including one of the Harry Potter films, The Batman, Rocketman and the Oscar winning score for Life of Pi. In February 2022 the Schola became the first state school choir to lead the BBC's long-running religious broadcast, BBC Choral Evensong. The choir has firm links with the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden where boys have performed in very many productions over the past twenty-five years.

The Choir of Westminster School

Westminster is an ancient British school. Its origins can be traced to the Benedictine monastery at Westminster Abbey, and its continuous existence is certain from the early fourteenth century. After the dissolution of the monasteries in 1540, Henry VIII personally ensured the School’s survival by statute, and his daughter, Elizabeth I, confirmed royal patronage in 1560 and is celebrated as the School’s Foundress. Old Westminster’s include John Dryden, John Locke, A.A. Milne, Henry Purcell and Christopher Wren.

The Choir of Westminster School regularly performs at venues including London’s St John’s Smith Square and the Barbican where recent performances have included Duruflé Requiem, Brahms Ein Deutsches Requiem, Poulenc Gloria, Britten Rejoice in the Lamb and McDowall The Girl from Aleppo.

As well as singing for twice-weekly services in Westminster Abbey, the Choir embarks on an exciting programme of concerts and tours both in the UK and abroad. Recent engagements have included a performance of cantatas and masses by J.S. Bach conducted by James O’Donnell in Westminster Abbey, and the release of the Choir’s debut album on the Signum Label, Now may we singen: Music for Advent and Christmas, which was recording of the week on Classic FM’s Drive and reviewed in Gramophone Magazine and BBC Music Magazine which included it in its top ten Christmas playlist.