The University of Stellenbosch Symphony Orchestra (USSO)
The University of Stellenbosch Symphony Orchestra (USSO) was founded in 1981 by Prof Eric Rycroft with the aim of providing music students with first-hand, practical orchestral training, while also offering talented students from other academic disciplines the opportunity to gain experience in symphonic orchestral performance. Since its establishment, the orchestra has studied and performed a substantial repertoire, including symphonies by Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, Saint-Saëns, Tchaikovsky, Dvořák, Shostakovich, Mahler, Bruckner and Prokofiev, as well as numerous cantatas, masses, oratorios and five full-scale operas. The USSO has had several works dedicated to it and has presented premières of compositions by leading South African composers such as Arnold van Wyk, Gideon Fagan, Hubert du Plessis, Roelof Temmingh, Johan Cloete, Hans Roosenschoon, John Simon, Hendrik Hofmeyr and Peter Klatzow.
USSO has performed at major venues and cultural events, including the Oude Libertas Amphitheatre, the Klein Karoo National Arts Festival and the Stellenbosch Arts Festival, and has undertaken four highly successful European tours. Following the retirement of Prof Eric Rycroft, Louis van der Watt was appointed conductor. Between 2003 and 2006, a guest-conductor system was implemented, allowing students to work with visiting conductors such as Omri Hadari, Bernhard Gueller, Osvaldo Ferreira, Corvin Matei and Jon Robertson. In 2004, under the direction of Corvin Matei, the orchestra was awarded the prize for Best Symphony Orchestra at the Tygerberg Fanfare Competition and was also selected as one of the top three orchestras among 46 ensembles across all categories. Prof Corvin Matei was appointed Music Director and resident conductor in 2006 and served in this role until his retirement, during which time the USSO made a significant contribution to the performance of South African music, particularly within the Endler Concert Series. In 2014, under Matei’s baton, the USSO performed to sold-out audiences in Cape Town and Stellenbosch with the legendary violinist Pinchas Zukerman; this programme was later repeated in collaboration with the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra to critical acclaim. In 2018, the orchestra celebrated Stellenbosch University’s centenary with a performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, which also served as Prof Matei’s farewell concert.
Since Prof Corvin Matei’s retirement, the orchestra has again adopted a guest-conductor model. This has included conductors such as Daniel Boico, Leon Bosch, Rik Ghesquière and Xandi van Dijk, with Arjan Tien serving as guest conductor in the current year. The system has also created conducting opportunities for emerging young South African conductors, including Chad Hendricks and Liam Burden.
Since 2024, the USSO has accompanied the previous year’s winner of the Hubert van der Spuy Music Competition at its opening concert, conducted by Reghardt Kühn. Another recent highlight was the orchestra’s performance celebrating the South African composer Peter Louis van Dijk’s 70th birthday, featuring several of his works and conducted by his son, Xandi van Dijk.
Every second year, the USSO hosts a Youth Concerto Festival, which provides a performance platform for instrumental and vocal students from the Department of Music. USSO regularly collaborates with leading South African and international soloists, including Suzanne Martens, Peter Martens, Nina Schumann, Luís Magalhães, Pieter Grobler, Ben Schoeman, Anton Nell, Marie-Christine Klettner, Daniel Rowland, Priya Mitchell and Dirk Mommertz. Recent Endler performances have also included overtures by emerging composers from the Composition Division of the Department of Music, SU, a practice that will continue in future seasons.
