Since its inception in 1905, the Konservatorium, as the department was then known, has hosted excellent Classical music performances on a regular basis. In more recent years, the Endler Concert Series has expanded to include a diversity of music genres including Jazz, Choral and Operatic music. Apart from the wealth of professional acts that appear on the Endler Hall stage, the concert series also gives exposure and opportunity to students from around the country, and in particular, from Stellenbosch University. These live music concerts serve to unite, uplift and inspire the communities they play to.
The South African Composers’ Symposium (SACS) is a five day festival celebrating our country’s rich and varied musical heritage. The symposium, an initiative by the SU Composition Division is supported by Stellenbosch University, the Endler Concert Series, and the Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra, will include performances of Western classical works, Jazz, improvisation, various installations, lecture demonstrations, panel discussions and laboratories, the launch of a new academic sheet music publishing company in collaboration with the Flat Mountain Project, and two inaugural composition competitions in association with the South African Strings Foundation and the Songmakers’ Guild.
For more information and a full programme of events, visit www.sacomposers.com
Tickets available on www.webtickets.co.za.
The Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival aims to provide talented young South African musicians with the opportunity to study, perform and be inspired by chamber music and orchestral playing at an internationally recognized and professional standard. This ten day long festival puts Stellenbosch University and South Africa on the international music calendar as an event of outstanding musicianship and as a nurturing ground for young talent. This festival facilitates the growth of young musicians and creates opportunities for them to further their music studies, thereby contributing significantly to South Africa’s rich and diverse cultural heritage.
The Stellenbosch International Piano Symposium has been presented biannually since 2006 by the Department of Music of Stellenbosch University. The main purpose of the symposium is to bring together international and national pianists through master classes, lectures and concerts. In 2012 it was expanded further by the relaunch of the Hennie Joubert Piano Competition for gifted youth of South Africa, offering attendees and learners an unmatched level of exposure to top level musicianship.
The Stellenbosch University Toyota Woordfees is a vibrant celebration of theatre, music, art, dance, comedy, discussion and poetry. Its Classical Music Programme is hosted at the Konservatorium in collaboration with the Concert Series, and boasts an outstanding line up of concerts and productions with international and local artists in a variety of musical styles and settings.
In 1983 the South African piano manufacturer Dietman proposed a sponsorship for the promotion of the performing arts to the Wellington Music Society, through their contact with Dr Manie Rust. It was decided to use the funds to start a new piano competition. Joan de Villiers (chair of the Wellington Music Society) contacted Hannelie Prinsloo, André Serfontein and Bennie van Eeden to serve with her as founding members of the Dietman Piano Competition. The first competition was held in 1984.
The Stellenbosch University National Ensemble Competition is open to community, school and university ensembles who compete in 2 categories: School Category (age 12-18 years) and the Open Category (age 19-27 years). The competition aims to create an opportunity for scholars and students to compete in groups, rather than focusing on solo performances and in this way develop young musicians through collaborative participation. The competition encompasses ensembles in a wide range of genres of music, including Classical, Jazz and African traditional music.