The Choir
The Stellenberg Girls Choir was established in 1999 under the baton of André van der Merwe. Members are all attending the Stellenberg High School in Cape Town, which has become known as an institution where choral singing is celebrated.
Since its inception, the choir has won numerous first places in national and international choral competitions and is regarded as one of the best girls’ choirs in the world.
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2017
2017 Overall winners of the Johannes Brahms Choir competition in Wernigerode, Germany
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1997 - 2016
Overall winners of the ATKV Nasionale Applous-kompetisie 16 times - 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2016.
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2014
2014 during the World Choir Games in Riga, Latvia the SMK achieved a second place in the category “Spirit and Fait “with 94% to China who won with 94,5%. They also achieved a second place in the category “Contemporanea” with 93,5% and a third place in the category “ Popular Choral Music” with an unbelievable 95% !
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2012
2012 won 2 categories (Music of the Religions and Musica Contemporanea) at the World Choir Gamesin Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
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2008
2008 the Stellenberg Girls Choir achieved an outstanding 96.7% in the category ‘Even Voices’ at the 5th Olympic Competition for Choirsin Graz, Austria. This is the highest achievement ever recorded.
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2007
2007 they are awarded third place on the world ranking list compiled by Musica Mundi.
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2006
2006 they won the much acclaimed Choir of the World trophy in Llangollen Wales.
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2004
2004 they were awarded the highest percentage for any choir at the World Choir Olympics. These achievements are a testimony to the girls’ talent, dedication and enthusiasm.
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2002
2002 they won the category for Women's Choirs at the Llangollen International Eisteddfodin Wales.
More about Andre van der Merwe
The four choirs that he has conducted have won many national and international awards and prizes.
Highlights include :
2017
Stellenberg Meisiekoor (SMK) en Stellenberg Seunskoor (SSK) wenners tydens die ATKV - Applouskompetisie
En so kry André van der Merwe en sy hoërskoolkore dit weer reg!
Ten spyte van ‘n terugslag vir André toe hy gedurende Meimaand ‘n dubbele hartaanval gehad het, asook kernlede van die Meisieskoor wat as gevolg van sportverpligtinge nie aan die kompetisie kon deelneem nie, seëvier beide SMK en SSK in hul onderskeie kategorieë. SMK word ook as die Algehele Wenner in die Meer Ervare Hoërskool- kategorie aangewys.
Die uitslag vir SMK is soos volg:
- Beste uitvoering van 'n Voorgeskrewe Lied (Meer Ervare Hoërskole)
- Beste Meer Ervare Hoërskool Meisieskoor: (94,37%)
- Algehele wenner Beste Meer Ervare Hoërskoolkoor
SSK is in 2015 gestig. Na slegs een jaar en na landwye uitdunrondtes is hul een van die 9 hoërskoolkore wat aangewys is om in die Nasionale ATKV-Applous -kompetisie in die kategorie "Meer Ervare Hoërskole" mee te ding. Hulle word as die Beste Seunskoor (87,29%) aangewys.
Nie net voer André gedurende ‘n moeilike en veeleisende 2016 sy hoërskoolkore tot hierdie hoogtes nie, maar hy slaag ook daarin om tydens die Wêreldkoorspele in Sochi, Rusland met die USK (Universiteit Stellenbosch Koor) wêreldwyd die eerste plek vir kore te behaal.