Ulutsha Lonke: The South African Youth Choir
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	the conductor The choir is in the very fortunate position to be under the baton of internationally acclaimed conductor and composer, André van der Merwe from Durbanville, Cape Town - arguably one of the finest in the world today. He is a popular guest conductor and is regularly invited to perform as adjudicator and clinician across the world. Most recently he has been invited to England; Sweden; Germany; Japan and China. In 2007 he adjudicated in Wales (Cor Cymru, Opus TV) and in 2008 in Austria (World Choir Games) for Musica Mundi. From 1997 to 2003 André conducted the Pro Cantu Youth Choir. At present he conducts three choirs: The Stellenberg Girls Choir (since 1999); The Stellenbosch University Choir (since 2003); The South African Youth Choir (since 2005). André's choirs have won many national and international awards and prizes. Highlights include: Pro Cantu: Choir of the World (Llangollen, Wales, 2002) University Choir of Stellenbosch: 1st place: Mixed Youth Choirs (World Choir Games, Bremen, Germany, 2004) Stellenberg Girls Choir: - 1st place: Youth Choirs of Equal Voices (World Choir Games, Bremen, Germany, 2004) - Choir of the World (Llangollen, Wales, 2006) the accompanist Curriculum Vitae Elzeth Germishuys Personal Details Surname: Germishuys Full name: Elizabeth ID number: 500228 0074 007 Contact number: +27 21 919 6515 (h); +27 82 564 5814 (c) Languages: Afrikaans/English bilingual Qualifications   Licentiate of the Trinity College of London (Teachers) Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music (Teachers) Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music (Performers) Performance Licentiate in Music (Chamber Music), UNISA Grade VIII Theory of Music, UNISA Career 1978-1996 Head of the Music Department, Welgemoed Primary School 1997-2000 Founder and Head of the Welgemoed School of Arts 1998 Founder of the Khula Arts Project[1] 2001-2007 Owner and Director of the Welgemoed School of Arts, presently called the Bella Arte Academy for Performing and Fine Arts 2001 Founder of the Khula Arts Awards 2002 Founder of the Khula Arts Foundation Awards 1992 Award for Outstanding Service: Special Non-Recurrent Exceptional Award awarded for service and an exceptional contribution towards education in the field of Arts and Culture by the Department of Education and Culture of the Cape Province. Certificate of Recognition of Outstanding Services rendered to Education in Bellville, awarded by Bellville Principals’ Association 1994 SAOU-Award for Exceptional Contribution in the Cultural Field 1995 The Fidelitas Award for Outstanding Service rendered to the School, awarded by Welgemoed Primary School 2005 Nominated for the Council Department of Arts and Culture of the Western Cape 2006 Nominated for a Special Award by the Department of Arts and Culture of the Western Cape Committees 1989 Committee of Practical Syllabus for the Western Cape Department of Education Developed a syllabus for Grade II and Grade III 1989-1993 Eisteddfod Convener for Piano 1989 Eisteddfod Convener for Choirs 1995-2000 Member of Welgemoed Primary School Leader Corps 1997-2000 Member of the Welgemoed Primary School Governing Body 2003 Western Cape Eisteddfod Committee 2003-2004 Embizweni Khayelitsha Multi-Purpose Centre: Project Management Committee Lectures Presented 1982 Lecture at the South African Choir Institution in Cape Town: i. Junior Choir Demonstration ii. How to Accompany Choirs 1985 Lecture at the South African Choir Institution in Riversdale: i. The Importance of the Accompanist ii. The Repertoire of a Junior Choir 1990 Lecture at the Teaching Centres of Parow and Mowbray: i. Auditioning and Training of a Junior Choir ii. Auditioning for First Year Piano Students iii. How to Accompany Choirs 1991 SAVMO invitation to discuss the Piano Syllabus for Grade II and GradeIII 1992 Lecture 184 Musicians on invitation from the University of Stellenbosch on “The Role of the Accompanist in Choir Singing” Talent Scouting and Co-ordination 1997 Organised the Arts Festival of Welgemoed Primary School 2003,2005 Idols Competition (Fremantle Television Company and M-Net) 2004-2005 Programme co-ordinator for the School’s Arts Festival, Artscape Performing Career 1978-1995 Senior Choir Accompanist, Welgemoed Primary School 1983 Accompanist of DF Malan High School Choir Accompanist of the winning choir at ATKB Applous Competition for Secondary Schools 1990 Official Accompanist for the SANLAM National Music Competition 1991 Accompanist for musicians participating in the following events: Huguenot Competition, Stellenbosch Winner at the Prelude Competition, Durban Two Prestige Winners at the Roodepoort Eisteddfod Trust Bank Competition accompanying Hugo Lambrechts Music Centre students, Port Elizabeth SASOL Competition Final Examination of the University of Stellenbosch Visitors from Taiwan, organised by the Executive Director of the Department of Education of the Western Cape 1990-1991 Regularly recording for SABC 1991 Official Performing Artist for SABC 1992 Official Accompanist for the Trust Bank National Music Competition for High School Pupils, Port Elizabeth 1992-1996 Accompanist for the DF Malan Choir, includes television appearance 1993 Accompanist of the Hugo Lambrechts Music Centre for the Opening of Parliament, Cape Town 1994- Co-artist with Danie Niehaus 1997- Accompanist and co-artist with Francois Voges (violinist) in various concerts at the Endler Hall, the Baxter Theatre, and light music programmes at numerous theatres 1995-1999 Performing Artist at the Klein Karoo National Festival 1998-1999 Produced and staged a production as solo artist “Crazy Classics”, performed at numerous theatres in Tygerberg and festivals e.g. the Whale Festival, Hermanus 1999-2005 Rehearsal pianist for the television programme “Liriekeraai” 2000 Co-presenter for the television programme “Liriekeraai” 2000- Television Appearances on “Draadloos”, “Kwęla” and “Kunskafee” with Danie Niehaus 1999-2005 Rehearsal pianist for various musicals for Pieter Toerien, e.g. CATS, PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, CHICAGO 2001 Orchestral member of the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra 2001-2003, 2007 Accompany Tygerberg High School Choir at their annual concert in the Cape Town City Hall 2006- Official Accompanist for Stellenberg Girls High School Choir (awarded the Choir of the World 2006, Llangollan, Wales), South African Youth Choir, University of Stellenbosch Mixed Choir. PRODUCTIONS 1978-2007 Producer and compiler of numerous concerts and shows, inter alia : Choir Festivals with DNA STRINGS Concerts with choirs and Danie Niehaus Co-author and director of a cabaret which was invited to the Western Cape Drama Festival held in Port Elizabeth Compiler, co-ordinator and director of all annual programmes for school productions. [1] An outreach program in Khayelitsha
club 2000 the choir the conductor sponsors news cds where are they now? performances & repertoire the school & hostel gallery friends of the choir contact awards