Friendship and Support through Harmony and Song

A partnership between four choirs in the UK, led by Musical Director Hilary Davies

and The Diamond Choir, from the Cullinan Diamond Mine, South Africa

In March 2002, at the Cullinan Diamond Mine, situated northeast of Pretoria, South Africa, Lona Engelbrecht, PRISE Co-ordinator, brought together of a group of employees from the mine to enact safety topics for the mine workers. This was instead of bringing in Industrial theatre companies from Johannesburg. Their shows were very successful but they decided to focus on singing, rather than acting, as they felt music had a greater impact. As their reputation spread they were asked to perform at more and more local community events and decided to call themselves The Diamond Choir.

In February 2005, Jane Cox, a member of  the Worcester Choir, made contact with the group, while visiting relatives in South Africa. Her brief but wonderful experience of singing with them inspired the the UK choirs to consider the possibility of raising funds to finance a visit to the UK. An invitation was sent to The Diamond Choir, inviting them for a 2 week visit in July 2006.