{
    "title": "Drakensberg\u00a0Boys Choir set to end\u00a02025 on a high note with the\u00a0Drakies Christmas in the\u00a0Berg music festival",
    "modified_at": "2026-04-21 15:02:21",
    "published_at": "2025-11-30 22:00:00",
    "url": "https://news.stone.consulting/drakensberg-boys-choir-set-to-end-2025-on-a-high-note-with-the-drakies-christmas-in-the-berg-music-festival",
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    "body": "<p><strong>DRAKENSBERG, SOUTH AFRICA &ndash; 1 December 2025 &ndash; Following a triumphant and warmly received 2025 No&euml;l Tour across KwaZulu-Natal, the Drakensberg Boys Choir School is delighted to announce that preparations are in full swing for the annual Drakies Christmas in the Berg Music Festival, taking place from 5 to 7 December 2025 on the school&#039;s iconic mountain campus.</strong></p><p>This beloved annual year-end <strong>Drakies Christmas in the Berg Music Festival,</strong> or <em>CiB</em> as it is often referred to, brings together music, craft, food, family, and festive spirit in a uniquely Drakensberg celebration that closes the DBCS performance calendar on a resounding high. <em>Drakies Christmas in the Berg</em> features the 2025 Drakies choral material, polished to performance excellence throughout the year, plus much more.</p><p>The <em>Drakies No&euml;l Tour 2025</em>, which concluded with a crescendo in Umhlanga last night, celebrated the choir&#039;s Christmas repertoire, with audiences praising the boys&#039; talent, discipline, precision, and emotional connection on stage. &quot;We are incredibly proud of the boys,&quot; says Jacques Linde, Head of Choral Activities. &quot;They mastered 24 new songs in just six weeks, showing remarkable focus and musical maturity. Step by step, they are reaching new heights,&quot; he adds.</p><h4 id=\"drakies-christmas-in-the-berg-a-festival-of-harmony-community-and-celebration\" ><strong>Drakies Christmas in the Berg - A festival of harmony, community and celebration</strong></h4><p>The three-day festival offers a vibrant programme of concerts, artisanal stalls, food vendors, and a joyful holiday atmosphere &mdash; all set against the majestic Drakensberg mountains.</p><ul class=\"release-content-list release-content-list--bulleted release-content-list--align-inherit\"><li><span><strong>Friday 5 December, 14h00 &ndash; IMC: A Talent Showcase</strong></span></li></ul><p>The festival opens with a relaxed afternoon of pure Drakie energy &mdash; heartfelt solos, ensemble pieces, and pop favourites including <em>Put Your Head on My Shoulder</em> and <em>Die With a Smile </em>&mdash; a warm, family-friendly start to the weekend of performances entirely curated by the talented Drakie boys on their own. </p><ul class=\"release-content-list release-content-list--bulleted release-content-list--align-inherit\"><li><span><strong>Friday 5 December, 19h00 &ndash; Portrait Concert: Highlights of 2025</strong></span></li></ul><p>This signature concert offers the best repertoire of the entire year, curated from Afropop, Traditional African items, contemporary choral works, classical gems and more. &quot;This concert is our musical yearbook,&quot; explains Linde. &quot;It&#039;s the finest of 2025 across the spectrum.&quot;</p><ul class=\"release-content-list release-content-list--bulleted release-content-list--align-inherit\"><li><span><strong>Saturday 6 December, 15h00 &ndash; Jannie du Toit&rsquo;s </strong><em><strong>Bonjour Monsieur Brel</strong></em></span></li></ul><p>Renowned singer <strong>Jannie du Toit</strong> takes to the stage with his multilingual Jacques Brel tribute, <em>Bonjour Monsieur Brel</em> &mdash; performing in French, English, Dutch and Afrikaans, accompanied by an exceptional instrumental ensemble of the cello, piano, and guitar/accordion. Jannie will perform a repertoire woven with both Brel&#039;s popular classics and lesser-known gems, offering lyrical drama, emotional depth and compelling storytelling. The Drakensberg Boys Choir will not participate in this concert.</p><ul class=\"release-content-list release-content-list--bulleted release-content-list--align-inherit\"><li><span><strong>Saturday 6 December, 19h00 &ndash; Drakies No&euml;l Concert featuring Jannie Du Toit</strong></span></li></ul><p>Saturday evening, the Drakensberg Boys Choir is joined by Jannie du Toit on stage for the <strong>Drakies No&euml;l Concert</strong>, a luminous celebration of carols, choral favourites and seasonal joy. Expect a mix of beloved carols, choral favourites, and a warm, uplifting atmosphere perfect for welcoming in the spirit of No&euml;l. Patrons can look forward to a magical night of music, friendship and tradition.</p><ul class=\"release-content-list release-content-list--bulleted release-content-list--align-inherit\"><li><span><strong>Sunday 7 December, 10h00 &ndash; No&euml;l Gala: A Drakie Celebration</strong></span></li></ul><p>The festival concludes with a dignified and spirited finale, honouring the Grade 9 leavers and celebrating the heart of Christmas through radiant choral works and festive highlights. A stately and inspiring Sunday morning finale showcasing the full breadth of the choir&#039;s talent, from luminous choral works to joyous seasonal highlights. </p>\n    <figure\n        class=\"release-content-image release-content-image--contained release-content-image--align-center\"\n        data-component=\"image-zoom-popup\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-selector=\".release-content-image__image\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-i18n=\"data:application/json;base64,eyJEb3dubG9hZCI6IkRvd25sb2FkIn0=\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-tracking-views-event=\"Story Image View\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-tracking-download-event=\"Story Image Download\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-placement=\"content\"\n    >\n        <div class=\"image-thumbnail-rollover\" style=\"width: 100%\">\n            <img\n                src=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/a275a5c9-0e99-4ce1-bc8b-591452a9a7c0/-/format/auto/\"\n                                class=\"release-content-image__image image-thumbnail-rollover__image\"\n                data-description=\"\"\n                id=\"image-a275a5c9-0e99-4ce1-bc8b-591452a9a7c0\"\n                data-id=\"a275a5c9-0e99-4ce1-bc8b-591452a9a7c0\"\n                data-original=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/a275a5c9-0e99-4ce1-bc8b-591452a9a7c0/-/inline/no/Drakies+on+Noe%CC%88l.jpeg\"\n                data-mfp-src=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/a275a5c9-0e99-4ce1-bc8b-591452a9a7c0/-/format/auto/\"\n                alt=\"Story image\"\n            />\n            <div class=\"image-thumbnail-rollover__caption\">\n                <svg class=\"icon icon-expand image-thumbnail-rollover__caption-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-expand\"></use>\n            </svg>            </div>\n        </div>\n\n        <figcaption class=\"release-content-image__caption\"></figcaption>\n    </figure>\n<p>Unlike a single set programme, <em>Drakies Christmas in the Berg</em> features a curated selection of the choir&#039;s 2025 repertoire, performed throughout the year and perfected during the No&euml;l Tour. \u200b Audiences can look forward to sacred and traditional works &mdash; <em>Once in Royal David&#039;s City</em>, <em>Stella Natalis</em>, <em>The Earth Adorned</em>, <em>The First No&euml;l, O Holy Night</em> &mdash; alongside festive favourites such as <em>Ding Dong Merrily on High</em>, <em>An African Christmas</em>, <em>Joy to the World</em>, <em>Jingle Bells</em>, <em>Sonneblom uit Bethlehem</em>, and <em>Silent Night</em>. This repertoire reflects the depth, versatility, and signature African flair that define the Drakensberg Boys Choir.</p><h4 id=\"celebrating-excellence-impact-and-the-drakies-legacy\" ><strong>Celebrating excellence, impact and the Drakies&#039; legacy</strong></h4><p>The festival crowns a milestone year for DBCS &mdash; one marked by sold-out performances, artistic growth, national appearances, and the continued strengthening of its choral legacy. &quot;The Drakensberg Boys Choir represents the very best of South African youth,&quot; says Hendrik Bekker, Executive Head of Drakensberg Boys Choir School. &quot;Our boys perform at a world-class level while remaining grounded, disciplined, and academically strong. They leave as well-rounded young men who are ambassadors of hope,&quot; says Bekker. Following the Sunday No&euml;l Gala concert, the long-standing traditional bell-ringing ceremony will take place for the boys who are leaving Drakensberg Boys Choir School to complete their schooling at high schools elsewhere.</p><p>At Drakensberg Boys Choir School, Music is our Ministry. Through the school&#039;s bursary fund, audiences help ensure that talented boys, regardless of background, can join the Drakensberg Boys Choir family. &quot;When patrons attend our concerts, they are investing in the next generation of South African leaders,&quot; Bekker concludes.</p><p><em>Drakies Christmas in the Berg</em> tickets are available now via <a href=\"http://www.dbchoir.com/\">www.dbchoir.com</a>. </p>\n    <figure\n        class=\"release-content-image release-content-image--contained release-content-image--align-center\"\n        data-component=\"image-zoom-popup\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-selector=\".release-content-image__image\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-i18n=\"data:application/json;base64,eyJEb3dubG9hZCI6IkRvd25sb2FkIn0=\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-tracking-views-event=\"Story Image View\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-tracking-download-event=\"Story Image Download\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-placement=\"content\"\n    >\n        <div class=\"image-thumbnail-rollover\" style=\"width: 71.92%\">\n            <img\n                src=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/26c63b36-2f66-4ab5-9a92-a1d69f9ab322/-/format/auto/\"\n                                class=\"release-content-image__image image-thumbnail-rollover__image\"\n                data-description=\"\"\n                id=\"image-26c63b36-2f66-4ab5-9a92-a1d69f9ab322\"\n                data-id=\"26c63b36-2f66-4ab5-9a92-a1d69f9ab322\"\n                data-original=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/26c63b36-2f66-4ab5-9a92-a1d69f9ab322/-/inline/no/CIB+TILE+.jpg\"\n                data-mfp-src=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/26c63b36-2f66-4ab5-9a92-a1d69f9ab322/-/format/auto/\"\n                alt=\"Story image\"\n            />\n            <div class=\"image-thumbnail-rollover__caption\">\n                <svg class=\"icon icon-expand image-thumbnail-rollover__caption-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-expand\"></use>\n            </svg>            </div>\n        </div>\n\n        <figcaption class=\"release-content-image__caption\"></figcaption>\n    </figure>\n<p><strong>FIN<br>\u200b</strong>(814 words)</p><a href='https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/1bf3423b-26fc-45c6-b9be-0875f33c5304/-/inline/no/click-here-to-download-the-word-version-of-this-article-for-easy-media-use.docx' class='release-content-attachment' id='attachment-1bf3423b-26fc-45c6-b9be-0875f33c5304' data-type='attachment' data-track='Story File Download' data-placement='content' data-id='1bf3423b-26fc-45c6-b9be-0875f33c5304'>\n    <span class='release-content-attachment__icon'>\n        <svg class=\"icon icon-download\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-download\"></use>\n            </svg>\n    </span>\n    <span class='release-content-attachment__details'>\n        <strong class='release-content-attachment__title'>Click here to download the Word version of this article for easy media use.docx</strong>\n        <em class='release-content-attachment__subtitle'>116 KB</em>\n    </span>\n</a><a href=\"https://news.dbchoir.team/media/album/26722\"\n        target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"\n        class=\"story-content-button-block story-content-button-block--left story-content-button-block--primary\">\n    Click here for the Drakies image library</a>\n<hr /><div class=\"release-content-contact\" id=\"contact-1e5b7d36-03c6-430d-8015-a5c06634db2e\">\n    <div class=\"release-content-contact__avatar\"><img src=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/e5c22df0-756a-4df9-9639-bdea45c93a29/-/scale_crop/128x128/center/-/format/auto/\" alt=\"Willem S Eksteen\" class=\"release-content-contact__avatar-image\" /></div>\n    <div class=\"release-content-contact__details\">\n        <strong class=\"release-content-contact__name\">Willem S Eksteen</strong>\n        <em class=\"release-content-contact__description\">DBCS Board Director, Stone on behalf of Drakensberg Boys Choir School</em>\n        <ul class=\"release-content-contact__details-list\"><li class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item\"><a href=\"mailto:media@dbchoir.team\"  class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item-link\" title=\"media@dbchoir.team\"><svg class=\"icon icon-paper-plane release-content-contact__details-list-item-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-paper-plane\"></use>\n            </svg>media@dbchoir.team</a></li>\n<li class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item\"><a href=\"tel:+27 11 447 0168\"  class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item-link\" title=\"+27 11 447 0168\"><svg class=\"icon icon-phone release-content-contact__details-list-item-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-phone\"></use>\n            </svg>+27 11 447 0168</a></li>\n<li class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item\"><a href=\"https://www.dbchoir.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item-link\" title=\"dbchoir.com\"><svg class=\"icon icon-browser release-content-contact__details-list-item-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-browser\"></use>\n            </svg>dbchoir.com</a></li></ul>\n    </div>\n</div>",
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