Five of South Africa’s top choirs have made the top of the list for the best of the best in the world and the Stellenbosch University Choir is the best of them all.
The Stellenbosch University Choir has made the top of a list of 1000 global choirs as compiled by INTERKULTUR, an organisation born by the idea of bringing people together from all countries, cultures and world views in peaceful competitions.
TheGoodThingsGuy.com reports INTERKULTUR counts among its members leading personalities from culture, politics and business, as well as choirs and orchestras, clubs and cultural organisations. The “World Choir Council”, a kind of United Nations of choral singing, is made up of renowned choral experts from 80 countries. They represent INTERKULTUR’s musical network with 120,000 choirs with 4.8 million singers. The organisation has offices and representatives in numerous countries and is supported by ministries of culture, municipal authorities and countless organisations.
The Stellenbosch University Choir was founded in 1936 under the baton of William Morris. After him various conductors established the ensemble as an influential South African choir. It is currently directed by André van der Merwe.
The Choir, an ensemble of approximately 80 – 100 voices, has won international acclaim through performances, concert tours, and participation in prestigious festivals and competitions.
The top choirs in the world are:
1. Stellenbosch University Choir, South Africa
2. Kamerniy Devichiy Khor, Ukraine
3. The Müller Chamber Choir, China
4. Gnesins’ Ensemble of Contemporary Music, Russia
5. University of Louisville Cardinal Singers, USA
6.University of Houston Moores School Concert Chorale, USA
6. Guangdong Experimental Middle School Choir, China
8. Children and Youth Studio “Gaismina”, Latvia
8. Children’s Choir “Alye Parusa”, Russia
10. Emīla Dārziņa Jauktais Koris, Latvia
11. Akustika Chamber Singers, South Africa
12. Ensemble Thios Omilos, Germany
12. Riddarholmens Kammarkör, Sweden
12. Kearsney College Choir, South Africa
15. Seisen High School Choir, Japan
16. Dekoor Close Harmony Christoph, Netherlands
17. Kvindelige Studenters Sangforening Oslo, Norway
18. Stellenberg Girls Choir, South Africa
19. Novo Concertante Manila, Philippines
19. Cantus Tove Ramlo-Ystad, Norway
21. Coro Polifonico di Ruda, Italy
22. Barnsley Youth Choir, Great Britain
23. The SLU Glee Club Normita, Philippines
24. Cantamus Girls’ Choir Pamela, Great Britain
25. The Orthodox Male Choir “Armonia” Ion, Romania
25. Philomela, Finland
25. University of Pretoria Camerata, South Africa
28. Niños Cantores de la Orquesta Sinfónica Juvenil y Camerata, Venezuela
29. Choir of the West, Pacific Lutheran University, USA
30. Guangdong Experimental High School Choir, China
