The URC Sarepta Ladies Choir has returned home beaming with pride after representing the community — and country — at the inaugural African Asia Pacific Choir Games, held recently in Mauritius.
Led by the passionate and dynamic duo who founded the choir in 2017, conductor Joreen de Jager and accompanist Janine Williams, the group brought home a “Level VII Silver” in the Open Competition — just three points shy of Gold.
“We are ecstatic about this achievement,” said Williams. “Approximately 40 choirs, mainly from the southern hemisphere, participated in this premiere event.”
Competition
The African Asia Pacific Choir Games is an initiative by Interkultur, the world’s largest organiser of international choir competitions.
The event follows the same format as the renowned World Choir Games, which Interkultur hosts in a different country every two years. In alternating years, the games are split between the two hemispheres. Choirs participate in various categories, according to specific criteria.
Awards are allocated on various levels, with distinctions ranging from a participation award up to ten levels each of bronze, silver, and gold. The Open Competition is intended for amateur choirs, while the Champions Competition caters to more experienced choirs.
Despite the fierce competition, the Sarepta choir held their own. De Jager described the experience as surreal.
“When we had our final rehearsal on stage, we could sense that the ladies were nervous. During the warm-up we just sang praise and worship hymns and did our prayer marathon.
“When they sang their first note, I knew this would be amazing — and it was. They were locked in and just owned the stage with every performance,” said De Jager.
Empower
The choir currently comprises 29 women aged between 19 and 78, with a welcome extended to girls from the age of 14.
The duo at the helm are on a mission to uplift and empower through music education and performance.
“We share a calling to create a safe musical haven, especially for women in our community,” said Williams.
She and De Jager both began their musical education as toddlers.
Between them, they have mastered an impressive range of instruments – including piano, guitar, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, flute, percussion, and organ.
Highlights
The choir departed to Mauritius on Friday 26 September and returned on Monday 6 October
While the trip was about the competition, the women also enjoyed what Mauritius had to offer. “The island itself was amazing,” said De Jager.
“We toured all sides — north, south, east, and west — and every day brought a new adventure. For most of us, snorkelling was a first, but our instructor made it look easy. Eighteen ladies took on the challenge and came out victorious.”
The Mauritius trip adds another shining moment to the choir’s growing list of highlights.
Others include a bronze medal at the World Choir Games (2018), winning the Suidoosterfees competition (2019), their first gala concert at Hugo Lambrechts Music Centre (2020), the second gala concert at De Eike Dutch Reformed Church (2024), and participating in the Voices in Unison concert at Artscape in August this year.
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