Stellenbosch University Choir strikes gold at European competition

The Stellenbosch University (SU) Choir reaffirmed its world-class status by winning three gold medals on Sunday, 6 July, at the 2025 Interkultur European Choir Games and Grand Prix of Nations in Aarhus, Denmark.
The international competition, held from 28 June to 6 July, featured 132 choirs from 33 countries competing across various categories. While European choirs competed in the European Choir Games, the Grand Prix of Nations division welcomed choirs from around the world. The SU Choir, the sole representative from South Africa and the African continent, participated in the Grand Prix following a special invitation.
Competing in three categories, the choir earned gold medals in each with scores exceeding 95%. In “Adult Choirs,” they scored 96.56%, securing second place behind a Norwegian choir (97%). In “Jazz, Pop, Show,” they achieved 95.69%, again placing second behind a Danish choir (96.06%). In the “Musica Sacra a Cappella” category the local choir received 95.31%, finishing third behind choirs from New Zealand (96.25%) and Denmark (98.31%).
André van der Merwe, who has conducted the SU Choir since 2003, expressed immense pride in his students: “It has been a long journey. They sing in the choir for the love of singing. Our marks above 95% in all three categories are an incredible compliment at an international level. I am such a proud choir master.”
Choir committee chairperson Talyah Greyling, a Masters student in Actuarial Science at SU, described the Denmark tour as an enriching experience for the diverse group of students. “Our slogan is ‘a family of voices.’ During this competition, we lived together, ate together, adventured together, and experienced a whole new country and culture together,” said Greyling.
For choir member Lambert Tuyishime, an MBChB student at SU, performing internationally was a highlight. “When I look back on how we performed this week, I would not change anything. It was both an amazing experience and an amazing learning opportunity,” he explains.
Having ranked first in the Interkultur World Rankings for twelve consecutive years until 2024, the SU Choir was invited to perform with the Akademisk Kor Århus in a special celebration concert. Their performance at Musikhuset, Aarhus’s main concert venue, received a standing ovation.
Van der Merwe reflecting on the choir’s international reputation: “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, people engaged with them. It’s incredible that this little choir from South Africa is so well known and loved worldwide. The choir really brings hope and light to our dark world today.”