The Stellenbosch University Choir (Afrikaans: Stellenbosch Universiteitskoo… Read Full Bio ↴The Stellenbosch University Choir (Afrikaans: Stellenbosch Universiteitskoor) is a Choir attached to Stellenbosch University. Founded in 1936, it is the oldest choir in South Africa. The current conductor, André van der Merwe, was appointed at the beginning of 2003. The Stellenbosch University Choir has toured overseas extensively and won critical acclaim for its performances. The choir is viewed as a leading South African choral ensemble.
In September 2006 the Stellenbosch University Choir celebrated 70 years of choral activities with a reunion – 400 former members attended the festive occasion. This reunion was living testimony to the positive impact that the choir has had on choral activities in South Africa since 1936. In September 2007 the Stellenbosch University Choir hosted a choral festival (KUESTA) where South African university choirs gathered in Stellenbosch for a weekend of choral music.
2011 saw a tour to the Southern Cape as well as a successful visit to the University of Pretoria for the bi-annual KUESTA choral festival. The choir also held their 75th reunion over the first weekend of September 2011, which was attended by over 300 former members of the choir. An album, 2011 In Concert was also released, containing live performance recordings made in the Endler Hall during a Gala concert and in the Musaion at the University of Pretoria during KUESTA.
In the South African context, it becomes increasingly important for the choir to reach out to choirs in less fortunate communities[10]. During 2005 and 2006 the choir hosted an orphan children’s choir from Kayamandi – not only teaching music skills to the children, but also making the University Choir aware of the value of community service.
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!
Being the oldest continually running choir in the country, the Stellenbosch University Choir has a rich legacy that is celebrated by old members every five years at the reunion. The last reunion was in 2011 and marked the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the choir. The reunion was attended by over 300 members, both past and present, and from all the corners of the world.
The current as well as future success of the choir depends largely on the unique heritage and spirit within the choir community which is supported by the choir members, family and friends, as well as the newly established Stellenbosch University Choir Fund.
Previous conductors:
William Morris (1936–1939)
Gawie Cillié (1940–1954)
Philip McLachlan (1955–1976)
Johan de Villiers (1977–1984)
Acáma Fick (1985–1992)
Sonja van der Walt (1993–2002)
André van der Merwe (2003-)
Achievements
Currently the choir is ranked as the second best in the world by Musica Mundi. They are only 3 points behind the Jauniešu Koris Kamer from Latvia, conducted by Maris Sirmais, who are in first place.
> 2010 <
The Choir took part in the World Choir Games in Shaoxing, China, in July, and won the "Champion of the World Choir Games" title in two categories. They received 95.75 for the category: Mixed Choirs and 90.88 for the category: Musica Contemporanea (Contemporary Music).
The World Choir Games is the largest event of its kind. From 15 to 26 July 2010, Shaoxing hosted more than 20 000 choristers from 472 choirs and 83 countries. South Africa was represented by three choirs: Stellenbosch University Choir, Tygerberg Children's Choir and Kearsney College Choir. Stellenbosch University Choir received the highest score (95.75) of any choir participating in the competition, in the category for which they competed against 28 other choirs.
Andre van der Merwe, conductor of the Stellenbosch University Choir, said after the competition: “I am extremely proud of the discipline, passion and dedication of the 112 choir members!” Van der Merwe added that the choir received good television, radio and print exposure, and were excellent ambassadors for their country. They also took part in the champions’ concert, where they performed two competition works and a spiritual.
> 2008 <
In July 2008, the choir participated in the World Choir Games in Graz, Austria, where they received a gold medal in each of the three categories in which they participated. The choir was amongst 22 other choirs from South Africa who were selected to participate in this competition of more than 400 choirs. They won the category "Musica Sacra: Open Category" with 92.13 points and placed second in the category "Gospel & Spiritual" with 92.13 points. In the category "Mixed Youth Choirs", the choir came in fourth with 85.25 points.
At the end of August 2008 the Choir was ranked as the top choir in the category Musica Sacra (Sacred Music) and the fourth best choir overall in the world according to the Musica Mundi World Ranking List!
> 2004 <
In July 2004, the choir won the category "Youth Choirs" at the World Choir Games in Bremen, Germany with 93.13 points.
A definite highlight for the choir in 2004 was their participation with the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra in Sinfonia Africana by Capetonian composer Hendrik Hofmeyr. This groundbreaking symphony (with an Afrikaans text) is scored for soprano, choir and orchestra.
Repertoire
Every year, the Choir sets out to improve on work done during the previous year. In this respect, there is a definite focus on assembling the repertoire. The repertoire usually incorporates pieces that aim to inspire both the choir members as well as the general audience, and to prepare the choir for future performances and events such as the World Choir Games.
With international events such as these, the repertoire mainly consists of pieces specifically selected to contribute to the overall success of the choir in the specific category of participation. These pieces are often vocally and artistically challenging as well as innovative and unique, with a major focus on modern compositions and uniquely adapted classical favourites.
Recorded media
Main article: Stellenbosch University Choir discography
The Stellenbosch University Choir usually records their full repertoire at the end of each year, normally in September, in the modern Endler Hall at the Conservatory of the University of Stellenbosch. The goal is to release an album every two years, although some exceptions have been made. Other recordings include live concert recordings and are usually sold for a limited time after the recorded performance. These usually include only some of the works prepared as part of the year's repertoire.
Albums:
2011 In Concert (2011)
Stellenbosch University Choir: 1936 - 2011 (2011)
Laudate (2008)
Illumina (2006)
Sinfonia Africana (2004)
Other recordings:
75th Reunion (2011)
KUESTA 2011 (2011)
2010 World Champions (2010)
KUESTA 2007 (2007)
70th Reunion (2006)
For more info, go to www.sun.ac.za/koor
In September 2006 the Stellenbosch University Choir celebrated 70 years of choral activities with a reunion – 400 former members attended the festive occasion. This reunion was living testimony to the positive impact that the choir has had on choral activities in South Africa since 1936. In September 2007 the Stellenbosch University Choir hosted a choral festival (KUESTA) where South African university choirs gathered in Stellenbosch for a weekend of choral music.
2011 saw a tour to the Southern Cape as well as a successful visit to the University of Pretoria for the bi-annual KUESTA choral festival. The choir also held their 75th reunion over the first weekend of September 2011, which was attended by over 300 former members of the choir. An album, 2011 In Concert was also released, containing live performance recordings made in the Endler Hall during a Gala concert and in the Musaion at the University of Pretoria during KUESTA.
In the South African context, it becomes increasingly important for the choir to reach out to choirs in less fortunate communities[10]. During 2005 and 2006 the choir hosted an orphan children’s choir from Kayamandi – not only teaching music skills to the children, but also making the University Choir aware of the value of community service.
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!
Being the oldest continually running choir in the country, the Stellenbosch University Choir has a rich legacy that is celebrated by old members every five years at the reunion. The last reunion was in 2011 and marked the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the choir. The reunion was attended by over 300 members, both past and present, and from all the corners of the world.
The current as well as future success of the choir depends largely on the unique heritage and spirit within the choir community which is supported by the choir members, family and friends, as well as the newly established Stellenbosch University Choir Fund.
Previous conductors:
William Morris (1936–1939)
Gawie Cillié (1940–1954)
Philip McLachlan (1955–1976)
Johan de Villiers (1977–1984)
Acáma Fick (1985–1992)
Sonja van der Walt (1993–2002)
André van der Merwe (2003-)
Achievements
Currently the choir is ranked as the second best in the world by Musica Mundi. They are only 3 points behind the Jauniešu Koris Kamer from Latvia, conducted by Maris Sirmais, who are in first place.
> 2010 <
The Choir took part in the World Choir Games in Shaoxing, China, in July, and won the "Champion of the World Choir Games" title in two categories. They received 95.75 for the category: Mixed Choirs and 90.88 for the category: Musica Contemporanea (Contemporary Music).
The World Choir Games is the largest event of its kind. From 15 to 26 July 2010, Shaoxing hosted more than 20 000 choristers from 472 choirs and 83 countries. South Africa was represented by three choirs: Stellenbosch University Choir, Tygerberg Children's Choir and Kearsney College Choir. Stellenbosch University Choir received the highest score (95.75) of any choir participating in the competition, in the category for which they competed against 28 other choirs.
Andre van der Merwe, conductor of the Stellenbosch University Choir, said after the competition: “I am extremely proud of the discipline, passion and dedication of the 112 choir members!” Van der Merwe added that the choir received good television, radio and print exposure, and were excellent ambassadors for their country. They also took part in the champions’ concert, where they performed two competition works and a spiritual.
> 2008 <
In July 2008, the choir participated in the World Choir Games in Graz, Austria, where they received a gold medal in each of the three categories in which they participated. The choir was amongst 22 other choirs from South Africa who were selected to participate in this competition of more than 400 choirs. They won the category "Musica Sacra: Open Category" with 92.13 points and placed second in the category "Gospel & Spiritual" with 92.13 points. In the category "Mixed Youth Choirs", the choir came in fourth with 85.25 points.
At the end of August 2008 the Choir was ranked as the top choir in the category Musica Sacra (Sacred Music) and the fourth best choir overall in the world according to the Musica Mundi World Ranking List!
> 2004 <
In July 2004, the choir won the category "Youth Choirs" at the World Choir Games in Bremen, Germany with 93.13 points.
A definite highlight for the choir in 2004 was their participation with the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra in Sinfonia Africana by Capetonian composer Hendrik Hofmeyr. This groundbreaking symphony (with an Afrikaans text) is scored for soprano, choir and orchestra.
Repertoire
Every year, the Choir sets out to improve on work done during the previous year. In this respect, there is a definite focus on assembling the repertoire. The repertoire usually incorporates pieces that aim to inspire both the choir members as well as the general audience, and to prepare the choir for future performances and events such as the World Choir Games.
With international events such as these, the repertoire mainly consists of pieces specifically selected to contribute to the overall success of the choir in the specific category of participation. These pieces are often vocally and artistically challenging as well as innovative and unique, with a major focus on modern compositions and uniquely adapted classical favourites.
Recorded media
Main article: Stellenbosch University Choir discography
The Stellenbosch University Choir usually records their full repertoire at the end of each year, normally in September, in the modern Endler Hall at the Conservatory of the University of Stellenbosch. The goal is to release an album every two years, although some exceptions have been made. Other recordings include live concert recordings and are usually sold for a limited time after the recorded performance. These usually include only some of the works prepared as part of the year's repertoire.
Albums:
2011 In Concert (2011)
Stellenbosch University Choir: 1936 - 2011 (2011)
Laudate (2008)
Illumina (2006)
Sinfonia Africana (2004)
Other recordings:
75th Reunion (2011)
KUESTA 2011 (2011)
2010 World Champions (2010)
KUESTA 2007 (2007)
70th Reunion (2006)
For more info, go to www.sun.ac.za/koor
O nata lux
Stellenbosch University Choir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
O nata lux de lumine,
Jesu redemptor saeculi,
Dignare clemens supplicum
Laudes precesque sumere.
Qui carne quondam contegi
Dignatus es pro perditis,
Nos membra confer effici
Tui beati corporis.
Jesu redemptor saeculi,
Dignare clemens supplicum
Laudes precesque sumere.
Qui carne quondam contegi
Dignatus es pro perditis,
Nos membra confer effici
The first line of the song O Nata Lux de Lumine is translated to "O Light born of Light." This phrase refers to Jesus Christ, who is believed to be the Son of God and the embodiment of divine light. The second line, "Jesus, Redeemer of the world," further establishes this religious context. The third line asks Jesus to show mercy to those who plead for it by accepting their praises and prayers. This is followed by the fourth line which speaks of Jesus' sacrifice for humanity, by taking on flesh to save those who were lost. The final two lines implore Jesus to transform those who sing the song into members of his blessed body.
Overall, the song is a hymn of praise and supplication to Jesus Christ. It's characterized by its solemn and reverent tone, echoing the religious significance of the subject matter. The song reflects the power and glory of Jesus as well as his compassion and love for humanity, and serves as a call to those who sing it to be transformed by his message.
Line by Line Meaning
O nata lux de lumine,
Oh newborn light from light,
Jesu redemptor saeculi,
Jesus, redeemer of the world,
Dignare clemens supplicum
Deign to accept mercifully the prayers
Laudes precesque sumere.
and praises of your supplicants.
Qui carne quondam contegi
You who once deigned to be clothed in flesh
Dignatus es pro perditis,
deigned to suffer for the lost
Nos membra confer effici
grant that we may be made members
Tui beati corporis.
of your blessed body.
Writer(s): Morten Lauridsen
Contributed by Stella W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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