Nine members of the Drakensberg Boys Choir visited Durban to recruit new singers for the famous choir; during their downtime, they performed for the elderly.
Durban, South Africa (20 March 2023) – Megan Dittberner shared her recent experience, witnessing a few of the Drakensberg Boys Choir members using their free time to bring cheer to the residents of an old-aged home.
The young men were in Durban doing a recruitment tour, visiting schools and conducting auditions. The tour allowed for some leisure time and time to relax but instead of using that time to wind down, the boys asked if they could give back to the elderly, by putting in a show.
They visited the Edenroc Retirement Complex where they put on a small performance that was loved by all.
“The boys found themselves with a gap in their schedule and instead of choosing time on their phones or wandering around a mall, they jumped at the opportunity to share a little love and happiness with the folk at Edenroc Retirement Complex.
Alana, the fabulous manager at Edenroc, was delighted to open her doors to the boys at very short notice.
The performance stirred the emotions of the residents, carers, staff, boys and one or two accompanying Moms of boys. Some residents could be seen ‘conducting’, others were heard singing or humming along and many hands were scratching in their handbags for tissues.The boys walked around chatting to the folk while they handed out chocolates. It turns out that conversation flows incredibly smoothly when chocolate is the ‘ice-breaker’.”
After the performance, many of the residents took time to chat with the boys and their parents. One of the couples shared with Megan, that the performance had brought them immense joy because their own son had been in the choir during his youth.
“A couple approached me and told me their son, who happened to be celebrating his 61st birthday, used to be in the Durban Boys Choir. He said listening to our boys sing took them back to the happiest, busiest years of their lives. I promised the couple that I would soak up every minute of this busy journey of parenting”
While the trip may produce a few new recruits for the school, it is the experience of giving back that will make the most difference for the team that took on this task.
Take a look at their heartwarming visit below.