​​​A new chapter beckons for the Stellenbosch University (SU) Choir in the near future. Ranked first on the Interkultur's ranking list of 1 000 international choirs,  the SU Choir will not participate in the World Choir Games next year. It will now spread its wings to compete against not only amateur choirs, but also professional choirs.

Interkultur is an international cultural organisation that organises amongst others the World Choir Games.

The SU Choir is in the top position on the ranking list for a fifth consecutive year after participating at the World Choir Games in Riga in Latvia organised by Interkultur in July this year.

Luthando Siboya, vice-chair of the SU Choir, said last week they have outgrown the pond of the World Choir Games. Seen as the next level of competition, the SU Choir will now take part in competitions in England.  “No-one can complain about being no. 1, but a challenge will be to go out of our comfort zone. It is time for new beginnings and a new chapter," he said.

With the competitions in England, they will also be exposed to professional choirs. There will be a solid mix of professional and amateur choirs, Siboya said.

“The competition in England will create a new platform for the choir. There we will be a small fish in a big pond," Luthando said.

Andre van der Merwe, conductor for the last 15 years, said the high ranking is an indication of the special team and quality of music and performance delivered.

Instituting and experiencing many changes to the choir over the years, Van der Merwe's mantra, and probably a reason for the choir's success, is the balance between discipline and freedom. Everyone has discipline with the rehearsals and technical aspects of performing in the choir, while they also sing from their heart and let the music speak to the audience.

“If they don't do that, then the music will be empty and pale and without soul," he said.

At the World Choir Games in Riga  the choir won the category for Spiritual music with the highest score ever to be awarded to a choir at the World Choir Games (98,38%). They also improved on their own record by dominating the category for mixed choirs with a score of 99%.