Participants Universitas Cantat 2015

University of Johannesburg Choir, South Africa
Conductor: Renette Bouwer

University of Johannesburg Choir
 www.uj.ac.za/arts

The University of Johannesburg Choir is an ensemble whose programme represents the exciting colours and sounds of the City of Gold: fine Western repertoire combined with full blooded African music. The choir members are amateur singers, mostly Economics students. The UJ Choir was formed in 2005 out of the former RAU Choir and RAU Chorale. It went on tour already in November and December 2006. The ensemble gave performances in Czech Republic, Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, Belgium and the Netherlands. They won a Gold Award at the 16th International Festival of Advent and Christmas Music and a special jury prize for Multicultural Achievement. The UJ Choir won the category for Traditional Music at two international choir competitions in 2008 and was the only South African choir to perform at the 8th World Choral Symposium in Copenhagen. The ensemble's most interesting projects include the performance of The Armed Man - A Mass for Peace in Johannesburg and Stabat Mater in Carnegie Hall, with the composer Karl Jenkins conducting.

Renette Bouwer is the choirmaster and composer of the UJ Choir. She graduated from the University of Pretoria, UNISA and the University of Stellenbosch. Renette has been on the panel of adjudicators for ATKV Applous Finals for more than a decade. She was also part of the jury at the World Choir Games that took place in 2012 in Cincinnati and two years later in Riga. In 2012 she received a special award from the ATKV her for her outstanding contribution to choral music in South Africa. Her choral arrangements are sung all over the world. She has released more than 15 CD’s with choirs, ensembles and as soloist, including 7 albums with the UJ choir.

  University of Johannesburg, South Africa