A b o u t U s
Based in picturesque Winelands district of the Western Cape, South Africa, The Winelands Chamber Choir was established on the 12th of June, 2010. The choir is blessed with talent that developed from being choristers many years ago, to singers and soloists in their own right. Their repertoire ranges from classical to contemporary choral arrangements.
After ex-teachers and members of the then Paarl Schools Music Centre and the Paarl/Wellington Regional Children’s Choir came together to render a tribute in song for the late Norma Norman, who served both institutions diligently as secretary for many years. After the service, the members did not want their rekindled passion for music to die. Thus, the new choir was formed.
Ivan Le Kay, one of the founder members of the Music Centre and first conductor of the Paarl/Wellington Regional Children’s Choir when it was established in 1986, lead this new choir. In 2014, the choir won the trophy for the category “Mixed Choir” at the “ATKV/Rapport Suidooster Fees” Choir competition. This was the first time the choir took part in any competition. Due to illness, Mr Le Kay retired as the conductor, but still serves as a mentor to the choir.
During 2015 Stephen Jephthas was appointed as the interim choir director and conductor. He was longtime choir member of both the Paarl/Wellington Regional Children’s Choir and founding member of the Winelands Chamber Choir. From the beginning, he was Mr Le Kay’s right hand and helped in teaching song pieces to members. He is also member and conductor of the Royal Stars Brass band, which has won numerous awards.
In 2017 the youthful vigour of extremely talented Thurloe Ernstzen joined Mr Jephthas in sharing the duties of music director and conductor. Mr Ernstzen completed his Bachelors in Music Education degree at the University of Capetown in 2014 and is currently a music educator at Parklands College since 2015. He started out as one of the Winelands Chamber Choir’s accompanists in 2016, however on one occasion, he volunteered to lead the choir as no conductor was available. He instantly fell in love with the choir and requested to become a permanent fixture in front of the choir, which the choir wholeheartedly agreed to as the chemistry between him and the choir was instantly palpable. In 2018 Mr Ernstzen was officially appointed as the choir director and conductor of the choir.
When it was decided to carry on singing the objective was to sing just for the love of singing and use opportunities to bring warmth in the hearts of people again as it did to thousands in the past. This has become our motto and hopefully our message carries through our music.
Dreaming big!
The Winelands Chamber Choir is a non-profit organization.
Any endeavours the choir aims to undertake are funded purely out of each chorister’s pocket, proceeds from concerts or donations from generous friends of the choir.
Currently the choir is raising funds to purchase a much needed keyboard for rehearsal and performance purposes.
The choir is also planning tours locally and hopefully abroad.
Please help us fulfill our goals by assisting us with donations of any kind.
Auditions welcome!
The Choir welcomes anyone that would like to form part of our choir family. Joining age is between 18 and 45. He or she should have a great singing voice, be willing to put in the hours for practice and most importantly have a passion for music.