In just a few days, 49 voices from Oudtshoorn, George, Hartenbos and Mossel Bay are heading to Europe to represent South Africa on the world stage.
George, South Africa (21 April 2026) – The South Cape Children’s Choir, alongside its newly-formed South Cape Youth Chamber Choir, will set off for a grand European tour through Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium on 23 April 2026.
The centrepiece of their musical journey is the 74th Europees Muziekfestival voor de Jeugd in Pelt, Belgium, a highly esteemed international competition featuring hundreds of choirs from over 30 countries.
Forty-nine talented choir members from Oudtshoorn, George, Hartenbos and Mossel Bay will represent their families, schools, towns, the Garden Route, South Africa, and the continent of Africa at this prestigious event.
Choir leader, Jan-Erik Swart, shared the group’s jam-packed itinerary, which will first see them take the stage at the Cologne Cathedral on Friday, 24 April, to sing during a Prayer-for-Peace Service broadcast by the Vatican’s media services.
“On Saturday, 25 April, we sing in a joint concert with the Essen Cathedral Boys’ Choir in the Essen Cathedral. On Sunday, 26 April, we present a full concert in Tongerlo, Belgium, after which we treat our choristers to a theme park, an open-air medieval museum and a visit to the Netherlands,” Jan-Erik says.
The music continues on Wednesday, 29 April, when the choir will join forces with renowned Belgian percussionist Carlo Willems for a special performance at St-Truidens Church in Belgium.
Afterwards, the group will head to Pelt, Belgium, to participate in the 74th Europees Muziekfestival voor de Jeugd. There, they will take part in the Happening, the Creatia Concert, and their jury concerts, competing in two different categories.
“We will be welcomed by a trusted network of organisers and friends in Pelt who will do what they can to ensure that the choristers enjoy their stay. We have exceptional voices and want to again win the gold medal in our category,” shares Jan Erik’s wife, Louise.
With just two more sleeps to go, the Choir is brimming with excitement and will proudly represent South Africa amongst 90 choirs from across the world. We are already so proud of them and wish them all the best!
You can follow their tour on their 2026 Euro Tour Facebook page.
Sources: Linked Above
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