On September 25, HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh will visit Wells Cathedral to support the Drakensberg Boys Choir in a special fund-raising concert.
This visit highlights the choir’s impressive international reputation, with past tours in Europe and Asia and performances at prestigious venues like London’s Royal Albert Hall and Sydney Opera House.
The choir has also collaborated with global artists and featured on television and radio, showcasing their worldwide appeal.
The upcoming concert will present a diverse repertoire, blending timeless pieces by Carl Orff and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart with vibrant Afro-Pop and modern African music.
Russell Tungay's autobiography, Taming the Dragon, details his family’s pivotal role in founding the Drakensberg Boys Choir School. After moving to the Cathkin Valley in the 1950s and initially running a farm, the Tungay family shifted focus following a family tragedy in 1960. John Tungay proposed converting the farm into a choir school. By 1967, the Drakensberg Boys Choir School was established, with the family expanding the property to include essential facilities and enrolling 60 boys.
Known as the “Drakie boys” the choir excels in music, academics, sports, and social skills, nurturing young men of exceptional character.
Proceeds from the UK tour will support the choir’s bursary fund, providing talented South African boys with opportunities to shine on the world stage despite financial challenges.
The concert will also feature the Wells Cathedral Choristers, renowned for their rich tradition dating back to the 10th century, and the choirs and musicians from Wells Cathedral School.
The choristers perform a diverse repertoire, ranging from early sacred music to modern compositions, and have earned international acclaim through tours and awards, including “BBC Choir of the Year” and “International Choral Festival of Preveza”.
They are students at Wells Cathedral School, where they receive extensive musical training and education.
This performance offers a unique chance for both the Drakensberg Boys Choir and the Wells Cathedral Schools Choir to showcase their exceptional talents and raise funds to support future musical prodigies.