The Drakensberg Boys Choir School utilizes a comprehensive curriculum blending music, academics, and sport to prepare boys for future leadership roles, The Citizen reported. Serving students from grade four through grade nine, the institution functions as a values-driven middle school designed to foster resilience and global citizenship through choral excellence.
According to The Citizen, the school stands as South Africa’s only established choir school with an international reputation spanning nearly six decades. The ensemble performs weekly in the Ken MacKenzie Auditorium, presenting a diverse repertoire that includes classical choral works, African music, and Afro-pop. Headmaster Hendrik Bekker, who assumed leadership in 2024, champions this holistic educational model that balances artistic development with academic rigor.
Bekker emphasized the importance of understanding each student’s unique background before forming opinions, noting that every pupil contributes something valuable to the community. The Citizen stated that admission for boys aged nine to 13 requires a voice audition followed by an academic assessment to ensure candidates can succeed in the English-language program. Successful applicants complete the process with an online interview involving the headmaster and director of music. The school aims to serve as a feeder for high schools while promoting careers in both music and academia.
For more information, visit citizen.co.za.