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
SAY SOMETHING
Stellenbosch University Choir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll be the one, if you want me to
Anywhere, I would've followed you
Say something, I'm giving up on you
And I am feeling so small
It was over my head
I know nothing at all
(nothing at all)
I'm still learning to love
Just starting to crawl
(starting to crawl)
(starting to crawl)
Say something, I'm giving up on you
I'm sorry that I couldn't get to you
Anywhere, I would've followed you
Say something, I'm giving up on you
And I will swallow my pride
You're the one, that I love
And I'm saying goodbye
(saying goodbye)
(saying goodbye)
Say something, I'm giving up on you
(Say, say something)
I'll be the one, if you want me to
(Say, say something)
Say something, I'm giving up on you
I'll be the one, if you want me to
Say something, I'm giving up on you
I'll be the one, if you want me to
(Say something...)
Say something, I'm giving up on you
I'll be the one, if you want me to
(if you want me to)
Say something, I'm giving up on you
Say something, I'm giving up
I'll be the one, if you want me to
(if you want me to)
(if you want me to)
And anywhere, I would've followed you
Say something
Say something
Say something
Say something
Say something
Say something, I'm giving up on you
The song "Say Something" by Stellenbosch University Choir speaks to a yearning for a deeper connection with someone who may not feel the same. The singer is giving up on the relationship but still would have followed the person anywhere. They feel small and inadequate in the face of this person's rejection and are still learning to love. In the end, they realize that they need to let go and move on.
The lyrics convey a sense of raw vulnerability and emotional turmoil. The repetition of "Say something" underscores the need for communication and validation. The singer is pleading for any kind of response from the person they love, even if it means admitting that the relationship is over. Overall, the song speaks to the universal human experience of searching for love and acceptance.
Line by Line Meaning
Say something, I'm giving up on you
I need you to communicate with me, or I'll assume you don't care anymore
I'll be the one, if you want me to
I'm ready to support you if that's what you need
Anywhere, I would've followed you
I'm committed to our relationship and will go to great lengths for you
And I am feeling so small
I'm overwhelmed by this situation and need your reassurance
It was over my head
I don't understand what's happening and need your help to make sense of it
I know nothing at all (nothing at all)
I feel completely lost and unaware of how to help our relationship
And I will stumble and fall
I may not be perfect, but I'm willing to try and make things work
I'm still learning to love
I'm not perfect, and I'm still figuring out how to show you love in the best way
Just starting to crawl (starting to crawl, starting to crawl)
I'm trying to improve and make things better, even if it's difficult
I'm sorry that I couldn't get to you
I know I wasn't there for you, and I regret that
And I will swallow my pride
I'm willing to put my ego aside and do what's best for our relationship
You're the one, that I love
I care deeply about you and want to make things right
And I'm saying goodbye (saying goodbye, saying goodbye)
If you don't respond, I'll have to move on from our relationship
Say, say something
I'm asking you to communicate with me and not leave me in the dark
I'll be the one, if you want me to (Say, say something)
If you need my help, just say something and I'll be there for you
I'll be the one, if you want me to
I'm committed to helping you and being there for you
Say something
Please speak up and let me know what's going on
Say something
Don't be silent, I need to hear from you
Say something
I'm asking for communication so we can work on our relationship
Say something
I'm reaching out to you, please don't ignore me
Say something, I'm giving up on you
This is my last effort to get through to you before I give up on our relationship
Contributed by Arianna V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@StellenboschUniversityChoir
Please watch our two new videos!
Sizongena (Zulu Wedding Song) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXeCvybFwTs&t=109s AND All of Me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOjYbS3aCak&t=34s
@samzehelephant9578
Stellenbosch University Choir just did, Sizoongena and All of me mmmmh wish I was able to sing. Great choir, great voices.
@QhaweVelem
hi there - how can I get a hold of you? kindly send contact number.
@Tinkerfanification
Is there anywhere i can buy or download this song? (say something)
@miavos3610
+Ren Margolis I use Youtube Downloader. You can download the app.
@nanikwesi5841
Stellenbosch University Choir good work!!!
@alexmoriarty9191
This choir makes me want to attend Stellenbosch University
@kiratmalhotra6354
Alex Moriarty literally tho
@MrTeejaystar
This choir makes me wanna go back to CHURCH!!!
@shanniworld8310
Go