Christel House SA Blog

Saturday 21 May was a special day for Christel House South Africa (CHSA), when their choir performed at a unique concert, in Newlands, as part of the Peace Mass Choir, together with the Fezeka High School and Sans Souci Girl’s High School choirs.
The concert featured Kyle Shepherd, widely regarded as one of South Africa’s most influential and accomplished jazz pianists and composers. Shepherd, who has released two critically acclaimed albums - fineART and A Portrait of Home - performed a solo at the concert, as well as with the Peace Mass Choir.

According to Clarke Schilder, the music teacher at Christel House, the concert gave the Peace Mass Choir an opportunity to present a united voice, promoting a message of peace and harmony in South Africa and the world. The concert programme included John Rutter’s “For the beauty of the earth” and “All things bright and beautiful”, Franz Schubert’s “Ave Maria”, as well as a special composition called “A piece of peace” by Misha Favis, a 14 year old South African musician who is studying at the Yehudi Menuhin Music School in London.

“The concert was a success in many respects. Firstly it helped us to raise funds for all three schools, secondly, I believe it was quite inspirational and did indeed bring forth the message of peace, and lastly, and not least due to the contribution of Kyle Shepherd, it was a very enjoyable and entertaining experience for everyone who attended.

Schilder added that Shepherd was also very impressed by the professionalism and talent displayed by the three choirs. “I have been featured as a guest at many choir events, but none quite like this – these choirs are truly good and it’s wonderful to be part of something that is this entertaining, but that is also helping to develop the youth and their talent,” said Shepherd.
Nosipho Sigila, a grade 11 member of the CHSA choir said that the concert was a wonderful experience. “It was nice getting to know the members of the other choirs and uniting with the other schools like this. And it was a great honour to meet Kyle Shepherd and be a part of something so special,” she said.

Schilder said that as part of CHSA’s 10th anniversary celebrations this year, the choir will embark on a recording project to capture their progress and all the performances of the past decade.