Round one of the Varsity Sing semi-finals were filmed for broadcast at the Linder Auditorium at Wits this week. The competition is the first annual choir competition between 12 varsities from across the country, taking place over 13 weeks.
The University of Pretoria (Tuks Camerata), the University of Johannesburg (UJ), the University of Free State (UFS-Kovsies) and Central University of Technology (CUT) all participated in the first round of the semi-finals. The semi-finals of Varsity Sing are non-traditional as there will be two rounds.
Round two semi-finals will see the University of Stellenbosch (Maties), the University of the Western Cape (UWC), the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU), and Rhodes University are all taking part in round two of the semi-finals compete against each other. The two winning choirs from each round of semi-finals will advance to the finals.
The choirs performed an original composition, a traditional South African composition and a song of their own choice. Judges Marvin Kernelle, Christo Burger and Loyiso Bala and guest Hemelbesem held the majority of the vote, although viewers votes, cast on the Varsity Sports App, were also taken into consideration.
The Wits choir did not participate in the competition and could not be reached for comment at the time of publication.
Varsity Sing is a competition by Varsity Sports and kykNET. The starting 12 choirs competed in a knock-out style format. Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT), however, dropped out of the competition at the last minute due to strikes that impacted their rehearsals.
The semi-finals episodes will be broadcast on kykNET on the 15th and 22nd September at 08:30pm. The competition is sponsored by FNB.
