Belgian Youth Choir Waelrant Claims Double World Title at Games in Sweden

Borgerhout's youth choir Waelrant has achieved a remarkable double victory at the World Choir Games in Helsingborg, Sweden, securing world champion titles in both the youth choir and sacred choral music categories. The 70-strong ensemble, comprised of young singers aged 15 to 25, triumphed against strong international competition.

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I was in tears, and currently, there is still a lot of disbelief.

Conductor Marleen De Boo described the atmosphere as one of immense relief and lingering disbelief. "I was in tears, and currently, there is still a lot of disbelief," she stated. The choir faced formidable rivals from China, Canada, and across Europe, making the victory especially gratifying. De Boo noted that while they were pleased with their performance earlier in the week, the tension was palpable, leading to a significant emotional release upon hearing the results.

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There are about 160 choirs competing here, which makes it extra special.

This achievement marks a significant milestone for Waelrant. While the choir also won at the World Choir Games held in Belgium in 2021, that competition was diminished by the pandemic. The current victory feels profoundly different due to the robust international participation and the high caliber of competing choirs. "There are about 160 choirs competing here, which makes it extra special," De Boo added.

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You have fifteen minutes of stage time in which you show what you are musically capable of. You try to create as varied a program as possible with as many different colors, atmospheres, and also technicality as possible. And you try to win over the jury with it.

The World Choir Games, often likened to the Olympics for choirs, involves participants submitting a 12- to 18-minute program. Waelrant presented four pieces, showcasing musical flexibility and diverse "colors and atmospheres." For the sacred music category, their program included a work by a pre-1815 composer and a contemporary piece. In the youth choir category, they performed pieces from South Africa, Sweden, Malaysia, and Flanders, demonstrating their adaptability across different musical traditions. The choir is set to return home after celebrating their momentous wins.

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We are going to celebrate nicely here today.