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Achievements

2024

We were thrilled to collaborate with the German choir Neuer Kammerchor Heidenheim once again, this time as they toured South Africa. Our singers have been raving about their experience performing alongside this spectacular choir.

2023

We kicked off the year with a bang, planning and preparing for our highly anticipated tour to Europe, which was postponed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In April, our journey finally took off, and we landed in Munich, Germany.

Highlights of Our Tour

  • We performed in a friendship concert with the lovely Neuer Kammerchor Heidenheim, forging strong bonds between our two choirs.
  • We traveled to Antwerp, where we met the fantastic Antwerp Youth Choir, who hosted us during our stay.
  • We took a day off to explore the charming city of Brugge, a real treat for our singers!
  • We explored Paris by bus, taking in the city’s famous landmarks and visiting the iconic Palace of Versailles.
  • We sang in the Mass at the Abbey of Mont Saint Michel and performed at the stunning Bayeux Cathedral.
  • We ended our tour in Ouistreham, Normandy, where we were hosted by the local community choir.
2022
  • We’re thrilled to announce that we’ve resumed our outdoor camping activities, allowing us to connect with nature and each other once again. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve been able to relaunch our outdoor escapades and continue creating unforgettable experiences.
  • In April, we celebrated Easter with a bang! Our big concert featured special guests Este Gross and Hemel Besem, who joined us to celebrate the release of Este’s latest single “Deur die Storm”. The event was a huge success, bringing together music lovers from all over to enjoy an unforgettable evening of music and celebration.
  • We’re proud to have taken our music on the road to the Midlands, where we had the privilege of sharing the stage with the legendary Drakensberg Boys Choir. This exciting tour was a testament to our passion for music and our commitment to sharing it with audiences everywhere.
2021

Despite the ongoing lockdown, our dedicated team persevered and found innovative ways to continue our voice group rehearsals. We implemented small group sessions with strict social distancing measures in place, ensuring the safety and well-being of our members while still allowing us to maintain our musical momentum.

2020

In 2020 we started the year strong with plans to tour to France then the Coronavirus struck us all and forced us to go online

2019
  • They performed at the French Ambassador’s Residence, The Belgian Embassy’s Open Day and the Kingdom of the Netherlands Kings’s Day Celebration.
  • They performed Franco Prinsloo’s Musical NALEDI, An African Journey in a Concert version for the stage alongside Vox Chamber Choir at the University of Pretoria.
  • UPYC collaborated with the famous Lipizzaner’s Horse School for a one of a kind celebration of the Nelson Mandela Celebrations Day.
  • In August they traveled to George, Western Cape, where they competed Nationally in the Cantamus Choral Festival and won not only the Youth Choir Choir Category but were awarded 1st prize among all choirs, and crowned Overall Winners of the competition.
2018
  • We toured to the Drakensberg for there annual National Music in the Mountains Festival
  • In December the choir embarked upon an international tour to Hungary, Slovenia, Austria, and competed in the International Festival of Advent and Christmas Music in Bratislava, Slovakia. They were crowned winners in all 3 their categories and Grand Prix Winner.
2017
  • Their most recent performances include singing at the Mandela Centenary which featured former US President Barack Obama. They added another gold medal to their prior achievements –
  • Latvia 2014 they received 3 Gold medals, and at the World Choir Games held in Tshwane, South Africa, another gold medal this time in the category Mixed Youth Choir, Champions Competition.
  • The choir performed at several high profile events in 2017 & 2018. This included performances at embassy events, International Women’s Day at the Embassy of the Netherlands
  • Their high energy performances were highlighted at this year’s National Education Excellence Awards.
  • UPYC is proud to host and share the stage with a number of singers and international choirs. Their most recent performances include the Waelrant Youth Choir from Belgium, the Kokopelli Youth Choir from Edmonton, Canada, and the Shallaway Youth Choir from St.Johns, Canada.
2016
  • This year promised to be a highlight in the history of the UPYC with a tour to Canada in April to showcase African music and to inspire at three international festivals as the featured choir.
  • This includes Edmonton Cantando Festival, Rocky Mountain Festival in Banff and the Whistler Cantando Festival.
  • To showcase the value of diversity the choir was also invited by the Artistic Director of the 9th Choralies Festival to perform our musical production ‘Naledi an African Journey’ that Is written in all 11 official South African Languages at the Choralies Festival to an audience of estimated 7000 people as main act at the event in France.
  • The year was ended with a variety of successful performances at the German Ambassador Lindner’s residence, the Ambassador to the Netherlands, Ambassador Gerhards’s Lights Ceremony, and the USA Ambassador’s DREAMS Campaign with Ms. Oprah Winfrey.
  • The CSIR National Excellence Awards was also a highlight performance for the choir where it was broadcasted nationally to seven different cities.
2015
  • We kicked off with a performance at the Grand Opening of the Chinese New Year in South Africa with the Schenzhen Symphony Orchestra.
  • A successful tour to KZN and commissioning, planning, designing and rehearsal of our cultural showcase production Naledi, an African Journey which was premiered on 20 Feb 2016.
  • The choir hosted 5 youth choir festivals hosting in total 27 youth and high school choirs from across South Africa as part of their social development drive.
  • The concert with MUSIC CO and Memeza was a highlight of the year.
  • UPYC’s participation in the annual University of Pretoria’s Principal’s concert added a youthful exuberance to the event.
  • The year was ended by a special performance for the Angolan Embassy celebrating 40 years of independence and a very special Festive Season Concert in alliance with choir supporters to raise funds for our singers from financially challenged families.
2014
  • Apart from the monthly choir festivals, the choir hosted the Neuer Kammerchor from Germany, the Chicago Children’s Choir, Soweto Gospel Choir, the Leuvens Meisjes and Moll community choir from Belgium.
  • The choir also performed at the Dutch King’s Day event and at the National Woman’s Day celebrations at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
  • The European tour was a life-changing experience when they came 1st in the Summa Cum Laude competition in Vienna and won 3 gold medals in the 8th World Choir Games in the Mixed Choirs, Scenic Folklore and Spiritual categories.
  • The choir premiered their ‘The Joyful Noise’ show with Lloyd Cele on 22/23 November 2014 as the highlight of exceptional performances.
2013
  • We hosted and performed with the Real Group.
  • Performed at international conference opening at Sun City, at the Swiss National day.
  • Hosted our first Choir Conductors Workshop in November.
  • Was involved with the national ZAZI – know your strength- campaign performing with Zonke and King Nova.
  • Hosted awareness events at our choir festivals.
  • Performed with the Kokkopelli choir from Canada.
  • Signed a special corporation agreement with Ndlovu Youth Choir and celebrated their wonderful HIV/Aids project through an outreach day in Moutse conducting workshops and performing at the first-ever Choir Festival held in a rural area in South Africa.
  • Their outreach tour to Namibia was a special highlight of the 2013 choir year.
  • The UPYC won the Gauteng Chorale Competition at the finale against 11 choirs with a score of 91.67%. This was the golden seal on a wonderful choir year.
2012
  • In April the choir was the only choir from South Africa to be invited to participate in the European Music Festival for Young People in Neerpelt, Belgium. They received 1st prize at this illustrious event.
  • The UP Youth Choir organized the only concert in Pretoria of the international group “The Real Group”.
  • The highlight of the 2012 year was the African Premiere of the Sunrise Mass by Ola Gjeilo during their gala concert.
2011
  • The choir completed a Concert Tour to Cape Town and Stellenbosch.
  • They also performed at the gala evening of the Tshwane Youth Arts Festival held in the Pretoria State Theatre.
2010
  • UP Youth Choir took part in the 13th Annual Alta Pusteria Festival in Italy & performed to highest acclaim in Austria and Germany.
  • They performed at the 2010 National Launch of the Tshwane HCT Campaign, which was hosted by the Tshwane Mayoral AIDS Council.
2009

UPYC participated in the “Music in the Mountains” festival in the Drakensberg Region, performing with the Drakensberg Boys Choir.

2008

Embarked on a global tour to Namibia, performing alongside esteemed youth and university choirs in Windhoek, Keetmanshoop, Swakopmund, and Walvisbay.

2007
  • Gold Medal Winners at the Cantatuks National Youth Choir Eisteddfod
    We proudly took home two gold medals at the inaugural Cantatuks National Youth Choir Eisteddfod, a testament to our hard work and dedication to excellence.
  • Honored to Perform at the Jamaican Embassy’s Independence Day Celebrations
    We were honored to perform at the Jamaican Embassy’s Independence Day celebrations in Soweto, South Africa, marking a special occasion for the Jamaican community and a highlight of our choir’s international engagements.
2006

Gold Medal Winners: Our choir proudly took home two gold medals at the inaugural Cantatuks National Youth Choir Eisteddfod, a prestigious event that celebrates the best of young vocal talent in the country.

2004

We’re proud to have achieved a significant milestone at the 3rd World Choir Games in Bremen, Germany. Our Mixed Youth Choirs division earned a Gold Medal and Overall 2nd Place, while our Folk-lore a Capella group took home a Silver Medal. This outstanding achievement is a testament to our dedication to excellence in choral performance.