Stellenbosch University Choir

Stellenbosch University Choir (Afrikaans: Stellenbosch Universiteitskoor) is a Choir affiliated with Stellenbosch University. Founded in 1936, it is the oldest choir in South Africa.[1] The current conductor, André van der Merwe, was appointed at the beginning of 2003.[2] The Stellenbosch University Choir has toured overseas extensively and won critical acclaim for its performances.[3] The choir is viewed as a leading South African choral ensemble.[4][5][6] In October 2016, the choir celebebrated its 80th anniversary with a reunion.[7]

Stellenbosch University Choir
Choir
Founded1936
GenreVaried
Members80–140
AffiliationStellenbosch University
Websitewww.sun.ac.za/english/entities/choir

History

The choir was founded in 1936 by William Morris and has established itself as one of the best choirs in South Africa and the world.[8][9]

Conductors

The current conductor of the choir is André van der Merwe (since 2003).[10] Previous conductors include William Morris (1936-1939), who founded the choir in 1936, Gawie Cillie (1939-1955), Prof. Philip McLachlan (1956-1975), Prof. Johan de Villiers (1976-1984), Acama Fick (1985-1992), the first woman to conduct the choir, and Sonja van der Walt (1993-2002).[11]

Notable Achievements

Interkultur World Rankings

Stellenbosch University Choir is currently rated as the top amateur choir in the world by the Interkultur Foundation world ranking system, with a score of 1260 points out of a possible 1272 points, a position the choir has held since October 2012[12][13][14][15] The choir is also placed in the top 10 rankings for various categories, namely ninth in the Children's and Youth Choirs category, first in the Mixed Choirs category, first in the Sacred Music & Music of the Religions category, and first in the Pop, Jazz, Gospel, Spiritual & Barber Shop category.[16]

World Choir Games

Stellenbosch University Choir first attended the Interkultur World Choir Games in 2004, at the 3rd World Choir Games held in Bremen, Germany.[17]

Category Result Position
3rd World Choir Games, Bremen, Germany (2004)[18]
Mixed Youth Choirs 93.13 (Gold) Category winner
Folklore A Cappella 85.75 (Gold) 4th Place
5th World Choir Games, Graz, Austria (2008)[19]
Mixed Youth Choirs 85.25 (Gold) 4th Place
Musica Sacra (Open) 92.13 (Gold) Category winner
Gospel & Spiritual (Open) 92.13 (Gold) Runner-up
6th World Choir Games, Shaoxing, China (2010)[20]
Mixed Choirs 95.75 (Gold) Category winner
Musica Contemporanea 90.88 (Gold) Category winner
7th World Choir Games, Cincinnati, Ohio (2012)[21]
Mixed Choirs 93.50 (Gold) Category winner
Musica Sacra 96.88 (Gold) * Category winner
Popular Choral Music 91.25 (Gold) Runner-up
8th World Choir Games, Riga, Latvia (2014)[22]
Mixed Choirs 99.00 (Gold) * Category winner
Musica Sacra with Accompaniment 95.63 (Gold) Category winner
Spiritual 98.38 (Gold) * Category winner
9th World Choir Games, Sochi, Russia (2016)[23]
Musica Sacra A Cappella 92.75 (Gold) Category winner
Musica Contemporanea 98.25 (Gold) Category winner
Spiritual 96.88 (Gold) Category winner
Llangollen International Eisteddfod, Llangollen, Wales (2018)
Youth Choirs Category winner
Mixed Choirs Category winner
Open Choirs Category winner

* World Choir Games record

Other

At the 9th World Choir Games in 2016, the choir was awarded the Hänssler-INTERKULTUR CD Award, as the best choir at the event.[24] The award includes an album deal with the Hänssler Classic record label.[25]

References
  1. "Stellenbosch University Choir". Retrieved 2 March 2007.
  2. "USK Conductor".
  3. "Stellenbosch University Department of Music".
  4. "Stellenbosch University Choir". Retrieved 2 March 2007.
  5. "WCG 2016 Champions".
  6. "South Africa - land of singing".
  7. "USK 80 year reunion".
  8. "USK History".
  9. "USK Today". Archived from the original on 7 December 2011.
  10. "USK History".
  11. "The choir yesterday". www.sun.ac.za. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
  12. "A list of the world's best amateur choirs". www.interkultur.com. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
  13. "Interkultur World Rankings".
  14. "WCG 2016 Champions".
  15. "South Africa - land of singing".
  16. "INTERKULTUR World Rankings: INTERKULTUR". www.interkultur.com. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
  17. "World Choir Games Results".
  18. "3rd World Choir Games Results" (PDF).
  19. "5th World Choir Games Results" (PDF).
  20. "6th World Choir Games Results" (PDF).
  21. "7th World Choir Games Results" (PDF).
  22. "8th World Choir Games Results" (PDF).
  23. "9th World Choir Games Results" (PDF).
  24. "WCG 2016 Champions".
  25. "Hänssler-Interkultur CD Award 2016".
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