Where Music Meets the Roar of Rugby: A Baritone Reflecting

As I sit here with last night's sounds still ringing in my head, I think back. I think of the bright lights and the sea of ​​faces staring at us expectantly. When the first notes hit, I lost myself completely in the emotion and adrenaline of the moment, so much so that the memory feels like a dream. Something I saw, but not something I myself actually experienced.

Actually, this story needs to be told from the beginning: As someone who has supported the Bulls since childhood, despite the horror it caused in my father, a lifelong Cheetah supporter, Loftus Versfeld has always been an appealing idea. The idea had to be shot down when I realized that you actually have to be fit to play rugby. Regardless, the day I heard we were going to perform at Loftus, the dream was rekindled with flames that were almost as big as the ones that entertained the audience on the field!

However, a performance like this is not child’s play and the preparation began in earnest. Between click tracks, practices, recordings to practice with and dress rehearsals, there was little time to take a moment and really enjoy the experience. I think it really hit me the first time we rehearsed in the presidential suite of Loftus. I stole a tiny bit of time to go out for a moment and stare in wonder at the empty stadium. A stadium that can hold thousands of people. A stadium where we were going to perform? Right there a feeling of childlike excitement hit me and I realized: This is our moment!

A week later it was time for the dress rehearsal in full Vox glam, as our Minister would say! This time we took to the field with the children of Curro Hazeldean to do a rehearsal of the performance. The nerves were palpable, as was the excitement. We were ready for the performance of a lifetime! A performance on this scale is only a dream for most singers. Yet we are so blessed to be able to perform here. Come what may, we would not stand back.

Fast forward another week and the time has come. We were waiting in the sweltering heat, decked out in suits and gowns. We definitely stand out and we would often see heads turning and eyebrows furrowing. Yet the general feeling is one of joy and excitement. The excitement also comes in various forms. Some can’t stop laughing, others can’t stop talking. Some choir members are walking up and down, up and down, up and down. A quick nap might be the best option for the others, followed by a snack or drink. Me on the other hand? I am someone who becomes quiet and takes in everything around me. The laughter, the joy, the baby Bulls kicking a ball around on the practice field. It gives me a chance to centre myself and find my focus before the performance.

That focus, of course, suddenly disappeared when the wall of sound hit me in the stadium. When you sit on the couch and listen to TV interviews with sports stars or artists, it always sounds so ridiculous when they say they are addicted to the adrenaline that the performance gives them. At that moment, however, I realized that they may be the most honest people on the planet when they say that. The pure ecstasy and enjoyment can be felt, not only by me, but by the entire choir, the soloist and even by the flag-waving children of Curro.

I know I should follow this up with an in-depth explanation of what the performance was like for me, how I felt and what I remember. The reality, however, is completely different. The reality is that the moment was too short for me. The reality is that it was a dream that’s already faded from my memory. The reality is that I want to do it again. I want to experience it again. I want to entertain thousands of people through music again. In the blink of an eye, the performance was over, the flames burned out and we had to quickly get out of the way to avoid being dunked. Moments later, the match was underway and we were able to form part of the crowd.

So, dear reader, I would like to ask that you keep an eye and an ear open for our next performance. I want you to experience the wonders of music with us. I want to take you on a musical journey of emotion, whether it is upbeat music in preparation for a rugby match, or more classical choral music that speaks to your heart. Until then, I wish you love, phrasing and acceptance.Where Music Meets the Roar of Rugby