The Stellenbosch 肆客足球 (SU) Choir affirmed its status as one of the world's leading amateur choirs after it earned three gold medals on Sunday (6 July 2025) at the Interkultur European Choir Games and Grand Prix of Nations 2025 competition in Aarhus, Denmark.
Held from 28 June to 6 July, the international choir competition saw 132 choirs from 33 countries competing in various categories. While only European choirs competed in the European Choir Games, choirs from across the world participated in the Grand Prix of Nations division. The SU Choir was invited to participate in the Grand Prix of Nations and was the only choir representing South Africa and the African continent.
The choir competed in three categories, namely “Adult Choirs", “Jazz, Pop, Show" and “Musica Sacra a Cappella". For all three categories it was awarded a gold medal (top level) with marks above 95%.
For the category “Adult Choirs", the SU Choir was awarded a mark of 96,56% – the second highest mark, only beaten by a Norwegian choir which received a mark of 97%.
In the “Jazz, Pop, Show" category, the SU Choir also earned a second place with a mark of 95,69%, with a Danish choir winning this category with a mark of 96,06%.
In the “Musica Sacra a Cappella" category, the choir received a mark of 95,31% and was placed third in this category after a New Zealand choir (in second place with 96,25%) and a Danish choir (winning the category with 98,31%).
André van der Merwe, who has been the conductor of the SU Choir since 2003, says: “I am so proud of my students because it has been a long journey. They sing in the choir for the love of singing. And our marks of above 95% for all three categories are an incredible compliment at an international level. I am such a proud choir master."
Choir committee chairperson Talyah Greyling, a Master's student in Actuarial Science at SU, says this tour to Denmark was an enriching experience for the choir members who come from across South Africa, speak different languages and come from diverse backgrounds.
“Our slogan is 'a family of voices', and during this competition week we had the opportunity to live together, eat together, adventure together and get to know a whole new country and culture together," says Greyling.
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Choir member Lambert Tuyishime, an MBChB student at SU, adds: “When I look back on how we performed this week, I would not change anything, because it was both an amazing experience and an amazing learning opportunity."
The SU Choir has been ranked number one on the Interkultur World Rankings for twelve consecutive years until 2024. For this reason, they were invited to perform with the Akademisk Kor ?rhus in a special celebration concert presented by Interkultur. The SU Choir received a rousing standing ovation at this performance in the Musikhuset, the main concert venue in Aarhus.
Van der Merwe says the SU Choir has earned a remarkable reputation at the Interkultur competitions based on the excellent results and many awards the choir has received over a number of years.
“I'm still pinching myself after this week. Besides our competition categories, we presented a concert and bonded with so many choristers from across the world. Everywhere the choir members walked in Aarhus, I could see how people engaged with them. It is incredible that this little choir from South Africa is so well known and well-loved all over the world. The choir really brings a little bit of hope and light in our dark world today," says Van der Merwe.
Captions for interview videos/sound clips:
- André van der Merwe, SU Choir conductor
- Talyah Greyling, SU Choir member and chairperson of the choir committee
- Lambert Tuyishime, SU Choir member
?Photo: Stefan Els
