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Cantare Children's Choir

Our Story, A Brief History

🎵 Our Story: Where Every Voice Matters

The Cantare Children’s Choir Organisation is more than just a choir - it's a movement. Since our first rehearsal on 12 January 1995, we've grown into one of South Africa’s most recognised children and youth choral organisations, with performances on local and international stages, community-based development programmes, and a legacy of transforming young lives through music.

Based in Southern Gauteng and the Greater Ekurhuleni District, our choirs welcome young voices aged 6 to 24 from more than 40 schools.

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🎶 Our Choirs

  • Dulcet Development Choir (Ages 6–10) – Where little voices find their melody

  • Cantare Children’s Concert Choir (Ages 10–15) – The flagship choir that represents Cantare at national and international events

  • Harmonia Girls’ Choir (Ages 14–24) – A vibrant, award-winning ensemble for older youth

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🌍 Development Choirs

In 2004, Cantare expanded its reach through development choirs in Thokoza, Katlehong, and Tembisa, supported by the National Lottery Commission. These choirs are an essential pipeline of young talent, and each year, standout singers join our main concert choirs.

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In 2020, we opened our first music school in Soweto, offering music education to children with limited access to the arts.

Highlights

 

✨ Our Journey: Highlights Through the Years

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🔥 2022 – A New Era

  • Christelle Engelbrecht appointed as conductor

  • Participated in Udumo and Choral Celebration National Concerts

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🌟 2021

  • Qualified for Nationals at Talent Africa Regionals

  • Collaborated with Mzansi Youth Choir, Tygerberg Children's Choir, and more in the Children for Children project

  • Received “Very Good” in Virtual World Choir Games (Belgium)

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🏆 2020

  • Winners of Talent America Virtual: Production Champions and International High Score

  • Hosted 3 national virtual concerts

  • Workshops with Mzansi Youth Choir and choir leaders

  • Launched All-Stars Talent Show

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🎵 2019

  • Released CD: “If We Only Have Love”

  • Hosted Alberton Community Awards and FAK Awards

  • Performed with artists like Anina Wasserman, Coert Grobbelaar, and Lisa Katzke

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🎶 2018

  • Silver Medal at World Choir Games, Tshwane

  • Hosted major concerts with Rina Hugo, Drakensberg Boys’ Choir, and others

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🎭 2017

  • Produced musical Alice in Wonderland Jr

  • Opened the 5th Gender Mainstream Awards with the National Anthem

  • Christmas concert: Polfyntjies for Christmas with Veenemans sisters, Phiwe Makaula

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🌍 2016

  • Grand Prix Winners at Golden Voices of Montserrat, Spain

  • First Prize in Academic Singing, 100% in Traditional Folklore

  • Honoured Mimi Coertse on her 84th birthday

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🎉 2015 – Celebrating 20 Years

  • 20th Anniversary concert at UJ with Cantare alumni and guest artists

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🥇 Earlier Highlights (1995–2014): The Foundation of Excellence

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🌎 International Achievements

  • World Choir Games medals:

    • 2004 Germany – Golden Diploma (Folklore a Cappella)

    • 2006 China – Silver Medal (Children's Choirs)

    • 2008 Austria – Gold (Gospel), Silver (Children’s Choir & Pop)

    • 2010 Wales – Winners of Folk Showcase at Llangollen Eisteddfod

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🏅 National Recognition

  • Winners of multiple Animato National Competitions

  • Appearances on SABC, DSTV One Gospel, and national festivals

  • Hosted major events featuring artists like Rina Hugo, Laurika Rauch, Jannie du Toit, Elvis Blue, and Sonja Herholdt

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  • Released numerous CDs including:

    • You’ll Never Walk Alone (2000)

    • Ke Ngwana Mo Africa (2002)

    • I’m Going to Sing (2008)

    • If We Only Have Love (2019)

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🌱 Growth & Legacy

  • Registered as a Section 21 NPO in 2003

  • Established a tradition of outreach, inclusion, and excellence

  • Participated in the KKNK Festival, Ihlombe International Choral Festival, and the Music of the Mountains Festival

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💛 More Than Music

Cantare has always been about more than perfect pitch and polished performances. It’s about uplifting communities, nurturing potential, and celebrating diversity through song. Our alumni have gone on to become artists, educators, and leaders—and they carry the spirit of Cantare with them wherever they go.

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Whether you’re a curious parent, a passionate singer, or a supporter of the arts—there’s a place for you in the Cantare story.

2004 – 2021: Empowering Young Voices Through Partnership

Thanks to the generous support of the National Lottery Commission (NLC), Cantare launched and sustained three development choirs in Thokoza, Katlehong, and Tembisa, providing musical training and performance opportunities to children with exceptional talent from under-resourced communities.

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Each year, top performers from these choirs are invited to join our main concert and touring choirs, creating a vital bridge between grassroots talent and national/international stages.

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The NLC's sponsorship also made it possible for these choristers to participate in prestigious global events such as the World Choir Games in:

  • Germany (2004)

  • China (2006)

  • Austria (2008)

as well as the International Eisteddfod in Llangollen, Wales, competing in the Choir of the World category.

Building on this legacy, Cantare has begun establishing music schools for underprivileged youth, with the first school launched in Soweto, led by Mr Zion Ndlovu—furthering our commitment to nurturing musical excellence and social upliftment.

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