Pure nostalgia: Singing in the St George's Choir

Memory highlights

• Singing a confident "loo" in music class and being signed up for the choir immediately as a result.
• Singing at St George's Cathedral on a Friday night (practice) and Sunday night (church service).
• Practicing at school each week in the music room.
• Barry Smith, our wonderful choir master, especially his passion and animated expressions when he conducted us.
• Barry getting so worked up one day that he shook the choir pews with a mighty crash. Very memorable but a once off. 
• Singing gorgeous Magnificats and Anthems.
• Putting on my robes and cassock before the cathedral service in the choir room.
• One Sunday, when still very young, we were singing a magnificat. We came to the descant where some sang high, soaring notes and others low.  I was so transfixed by the beauty of it that I was unable to sing. I just stood there, basking in the beauty of the music, tears streaming down my face. It was one of my first spiritual experiences.
• The two big annual services at The Cathedral: Palm Sunday and Xmas Eve.
• Getting lifted on Fri and Sun nights by Jocelyn or mum with the Rusconi boys.
• As a 9 year old, appearing on TV with the choir singing carols.
• Singing at the inauguration of the new archbishop in 1981. We practised for weeks, if not months.
• Singing in inter-school choir competitions and winning every year. We were really good.
• Singing solo in eisteddfods and especially getting a golden diploma singing a hymn composed by our school pastor.
• Watching Sleuth on TV with Barry and other choir members before a competition.
• Singing at weddings a few times.
• Leaving the choir when my voice broke. I was initially happy to get my Fridays and Sundays back but ended up missing it. I was very blessed to have had the experience.

Barry Smith, our choir master

Choir pews

Pure nostalgia: TV from my younger years (1970 - 1989)

St Georges Cathedral

I spent a wonderful time in the cathedral, reminiscing about my choir days and listening to the sublime music sung by an opera singer who happened to be practising at the same time. So beautiful, it moved me to tears.  It reminded me of one of the first spiritual experiences I ever had - one that I had as a young choir boy here at the cathedral.

Some facts about St George's Cathedral

• Oldest cathedral in Southern Africa, founded in 1901 with the laying of the foundation stone by the Duke of Cornwall and York (later King George V).
• Designed by Sir Herbert Baker, the cathedral features classic neo-Gothic architecture and was constructed using Table Mountain sandstone.
• Known as the “People’s Cathedral” due to its central role in South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle.
• Archbishop Desmond Tutu used the cathedral as a base for non-violent protest, prayer meetings, and political activism during apartheid.
• Famous for its Peace Marches, which began on its steps and drew national and international attention to the apartheid regime.
• Home to a renowned choir and hosts frequent concerts, contributing to Cape Town’s cultural life.
• Contains beautiful stained glass windows and intricate stone carvings, including a stunning Rose Window.
• A symbol of spiritual resilience and social justice, it remains an active place of worship and civic engagement.
• Located in the heart of Cape Town, near Parliament and Company’s Garden, making it a prominent historic landmark.