Choir

In South Africa choirs are a vibrant part of the cultural landscape.  Several thousand choirs, both amateur and professional, can be heard across the country in churches, in school halls, in community centres, in theatres, on television, at festivals and in competitions.  The practice of raising voices together in harmony and upliftment is a strong and steadfast tradition in our country. The Stellenbosch University Choir (SU Choir) follows in this tradition and has been doing so since 1936.

Audiences exit from a performance of this extraordinary choir with a sense of excitement and possibility and filled with the sense of having been transported to a space where the collective harmonies of our individual humanities blend into a seamless celebration of the best in all of us.

 

The SU Choir is an amateur choir made up exclusively of students from Stellenbosch University (SU).  At some 100 strong this choir draws its members from across all disciplines and stages of study at SU.  Choir members audition for a place and hail from across all backgrounds, communities and life circumstances.

Contact us
[email protected]  

Physical address
Erfurthuis
37 Ryneveld Street
Stellenbosch 

Our Services​​​​

Whether you’re hosting a corporate event or special celebration, incorporating the Stellenbosch University Choir’s world-class performances can add an unforgettable dimension to any occasion.

With a reputation as one of the finest choirs in the world, the SU Choir brings a unique blend of precision, passion, and soul-stirring harmony. Please reach out to [email protected] for our booking information. 

Our Work

The Stellenbosch University Choir is made up of about 100 students from a wide range of academic disciplines at Stellenbosch University. Students come from across a myriad of different backgrounds and communities and represent the full spectrum of South Africa’s diverse population. 

Under the directorship of André van der Merwe the SU Choir has built a national and international reputation as a choir of exceptional excellence that delivers performances celebrated for their rigorous technical accomplishment and the ability to touch the hearts of audiences everywhere. 
The artistic dimension of the choir continues to deepen as it shares the soul of South Africa on both the local and international stage. Stellenbosch University regards the SU Choir as one of its foremost ambassadors of excellence and testament to the power of music to bring about understanding of our world and those who share it with us. 

The SU Choir is one of South Africa’s most outstanding youth development and choral programmes. For the past 89 years this choir has reflected the changes of our wider society and today stands as a testament to the power of music to bring about diversity and harmony across societal divide.  

Prestigious achievements
Our dedication to excellence has made us one of the world’s leading choirs. Each competition and accolade reflects the incredible talent and spirit of our ensemble. We aim to showcase technical skills and the heart behind every performance.

Cultural ambassadorship
As representatives of Stellenbosch University, we proudly promote inclusivity, excellence and diversity. Our music unites people and celebrates the beauty of shared humanity.

  • At the 2010 World Choir Games in Shaoxing, China, the Choir competed in the categories for Musica Contemporanea and Mixed Choirs and won both categories.
  • At the 2012 World Choir Games in Cincinnati, the Choir won the champion categories for Mixed Choirs and Musica Sacra.
  • At the 2014 World Choir Games in Riga, Latvia, the Choir won all three of its competition categories, achieving the highest mark in the history of the competition with 99%.
  • At the 2016 World Choir Games in Sochi, Russia, the Choir won all three of its competition categories, achieving the highest mark in the competition with 96%.
  • At the 2018 Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in Wales, the Choir competed in the categories for Open, Youth, and Mixed Choirs and won all three.
  • The Choir was scheduled to participate in the World Choir Games and undertake performances in Europe in 2020 and 2021 but were prevented from doing so by the global pandemic and its aftermath.
  • In 2022, the choir was invited to perform at the funeral of Princess Margaret Obaigbena in Asaba, Nigeria. The choir undertook a week-long trip to Lagos and Asaba, before returning to Cape Town.
  • In 2023, the choir was invited by Dr Haruhisa Handa to perform at the ISPS Sports Values Summit in Tokyo, Japan. The choir undertook a 6-day-long trip to Tokyo where they performed at the summit and met Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, who admitted that he is a fan of the choir.
  • The Choir is returning to full strength and will for the first time since 2018 be competing in Interkultur’s 6th European Choir Games & Grand Prix of Nations, in Aarhus, Denmark (28 June – 6 July).