By Lilja Flohr
While most students were on their well-deserved semester break, the Stellenbosch University Choir (SUC) and its members travelled to Aarhus, Denmark, where they competed at the Interkultur 2025 Grand Prix of Nations European Choir Games.
In total, they competed among 132 choirs from 33 countries, with the SUC being the only choir representing both South Africa and the African continent. They competed in three categories: “Adult Choirs (Mixed)”, “Musica Sacra a Capella”, and “Jazz, Pop, Show”.
Within each category, there were three competition groups. Participation in the Open Competition was open to all choirs, while participation in the Champions Competition required prior qualification. The SUC, however, took part in the Grand Prix of Nations group for all three of their categories, which is only open to choirs that have already won that category at an international event.
She said that it is “such an honour and a privilege to contribute towards the legacy that the SUC has created at an international level.” When asking about preparation for the competition, Greyling gives insight into how the students are “expected to self-study the repertoire over the December holidays and then put in roughly seven hours of practicing together each week once the term starts.” But, as she adds, the “real magic happens once [they] get to know the humans singing alongside [them] and share in the joy of telling each other’s stories on stage.”
The SUC did not merely compete – the singers won triple gold at the world stage. This phenomenal achievement once again confirms their place among the top choirs in the world. While they placed second overall in the categories “Adult Choirs” (96.56%) and “Jazz, Pop, Show” (95.69%), they took third place in the category “Musica Sacra a Cappella” (95.31%).
To take a look behind the scenes, Die Matie contacted the choir’s chairperson, Talyah Greyling, a masters student in economics who is in her sixth year at SUC, about her experience of representing SUC on such a prestigious international stage.
Chorister Inge van der Westhuizen, a third-year BA (Law) student, adds, “It was an honour to be among the many vibrant cultures at this event, and to represent our university and country at such a level.”
The most exciting category of the competition, according to Greyling, was “Musica Sacra a Capella”, “since the pieces that formed part of the program for this category showcased the voice of the choir extremely well and paved the way to really connect with the audience.” She adds that “during the performance, numerous audience members were moved to tears”, which was a “rare and special moment to share”.
Van der Westhuizen agrees by stating that the category “was such an amazing experience to perform” as they “sang in a beautiful old cathedral in the heart of Aarhus“ where “the acoustics were absolutely brilliant, and it made the music sound like it was coming from another world”.
Greyling states that this opportunity to compete finally with her “family of voices for six years” in her final year was truly the best thing she could have asked for. She adds how singing in SUC has given her the “opportunity to welcome so many wonderful humans into [her] heart over the years”, which Greyling “truly would not exchange for the world”.
Van der Westhuizen also believes that the choir members “reached a special level of connection after traveling, working hard, struggling and celebrating together” and having this “life-changing experience together, exploring Denmark and meeting people from a diverse set of cultures from around the world”. She says that “this connection absolutely shows on stage”, with the choir not only providing “audiences with excellent music thanks to the amazing conductor [André van der Merwe]”, but that they “emanate pure love on stage”, and “that is what audiences respond to”.
That is exactly what it is all about. Even though the achievements are impressive and a source of pride, the SUC stands for much more. Community, love and joy have ultimately been demonstrated on the international stage. With auditions having taken place in August, the choir is already hard at work preparing for next year’s performances.
