About the Choir

The University of Pretoria Youth Choir is a multi-cultural choir consisting of 71 members aged between 14 and 19 years and representing 23 Secondary Schools in the greater Tshwane area
They are all amateur singers. The choir forms part of the multi-choir model of the University of Pretoria, the others being the UP Jacaranda Children's Choir, UP Camerata and the UP Chorale.

History of the Choir

The University of Pretoria Youth Choir was officially established in January 2001 with Professor Johann van der Sandt as conductor followed by Christo Burger and since 2005, Lhente-Mari Pitout.
The choir aims to make a contribution towards the cultural development of learners from the greater Tshwane Metropolitan area and the cultural enrichment of the community by means of choral singing. The choir wishes to contribute towards the aims of aesthetic music education and holds firmly to its belief: Through the choir to cultivate children's interest in music; help them to develop their sense of co-operation and to live harmoniously in a multicultural environment.
The repertoire of the choir encompasses a variety of styles and genres which include classical Western compositions by international and South African composers as well as traditional African pieces, celebrating South Africa's rich choral tradition.

Achievements of the Choir

Building on the strong and celebrated history of the Northern Transvaal Youth Choir and the Pretoria Children's Choir, the UP Youth Choir has achieved many accolades under its new name.
The choir received a gold medal and overall second place in the Mixed Youth Choirs division, as well as a silver medal and fifth overall in the Folk-lore a capella division, at the 3rd Choir Olympics in Bremen Germany in 2004.
The choir obtained two gold medals at the inaugural Cantatuks National Youth Choir Eisteddfod in May 2006 and again in May 2007.
In 2008 the choir travelled to their neighbouring African Country Namibia, where they successfully completed a 2 week concert tour performing with different choirs, youth - and university - choirs from Windhoek, Keetmanshoop, Swakopmund and Walvisbay.
In 2009 the UPYC participated in the "Music in the Mountains" festival in the Drakensberg Region, performing with the Drakensberg Boys Choir.
In June 2010, The UP Youth Choir had the opportunity to travel abroad, taking part in the 13th Annual Alta Pusteria Festival in Pusteria, Italy. The choir then went further around Europe, touring through Austria and Germany for 2 weeks.
Also in 2010, the UP Youth Choir was asked to perform at the National Launch of the Tshwane HCT Campaign, which was held by the Tshwane Mayoral AIDS Council, and held at Burgers Park, Pretoria.
In 2011, the choir completed a Concert Tour to Cape Town and Stellenbosch. Recently, we were invited as a guest artist to the gala evening of the Tshwane Youth Arts Festival, held in the State Theatre.
2012 brought on new and exciting ventures for the UP Youth Choir, as they opened the stage for the Real Group, a concert and workshop series they hosted in Pretoria in February. In May, they took part in the 60th European Music Festival for Youth (EMJ) in Neerpelt, Belgium, where they received a 1st place in their category "Pennant Category for Mixed Voice Youth Choirs".