Our History
The North West Children’s Choir, founded in 1992 by Rudolf de Beer, has built a proud legacy of musical excellence locally and abroad. Over the years, the choir has represented South Africa at international festivals in Norway, Hong Kong, the USA, Austria, England, France, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Germany, and the Czech Republic.
Nationally, the choir is a regular participant in major events such as Music in the Mountains, Musica NWU, Choral Celebration, and various regional children’s choir festivals. The choir continues to collaborate with leading choirs and artists and remains committed to developing young voices through high‑quality choral experiences.
International Highlights
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1997: Invited to the 14th Children’s and Youth Choir Festival in Oslo, Norway.
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1999: Selected members represented the choir at the International Choral Festival in Hong Kong.
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2000: Participated in the Universal Children’s Choir Festival in Texas, USA.
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2005: Received international media attention after performances at the Cantus Choir and Orchestral Festival in Salzburg, Austria, including performances for the South African Ambassador and the Governor of Austria.
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2007: Performed at the Mad‑about‑Waddesdon Festival in England, at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford‑upon‑Avon, and at the Rothschild Foundation in Paris, France.
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2012: Returned to Europe for the Cantus Festival in Salzburg, with concerts in Prague, Slovenia, and Germany.
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2018: Performed with Cola Voce Youth Choir, Cantare Children’s Choir, and the Leuven Meisjeskoor from Belgium.
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2018: Participated in the World Choir Games in Pretoria.
National Festivals & Collaborations
The choir has been a regular participant in major South African choral events, including:
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Music in the Mountains (MIMS) at the Drakensberg Boys Choir School - Participated in 2017, 2023, 2024, 2025 & 2026.
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Musica Festival presented by the NWU Choir - Invitations in 2017, 2019, 2023, 2024, and again in 2026.
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Choral Celebration Network Foundation (CCNF) - Participated in 2019 (Potchefstroom), 2022 (Bloemfontein), 2024 (Potchefstroom) & 2025.
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Bergsig Akademie Choir Festival - Participated in 2023 and 2024.
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Aardklop Festival - Performed in 2017.
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Winter Concerts (2016) with Magaliesberg Children’s Choir and various schools.
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Joint choir festivals hosted by the Jacaranda Children’s Choir - Participated in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018.
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Collaborations with Randburgse Mannekoor (2016).
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Christmas in July with Coenie de Villiers and André Schwartz (2024).
Recent and Upcoming Activities
• Continued participation in national choir festivals and collaborations.
• Annual involvement in Music in the Mountains and Musica NWU.
• Confirmed future engagements for 2026, including:
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Music in the Mountains
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Musica NWU Choir Festival
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Magaliesberg Children’s Choir Festival
Conductors of the North West Children’s Choir
1992 – 1997: Dr. Rudolf de Beer
1998 – 2001: Prof. Awie van Wyk
2002 – 2003: Bernard Krüger
2004 – 2007: Stern Bezuidenhout
2007 – 2010: Jana Mathee (du Plooy)
2010 – 2014: Stern Bezuidenhout
2014 – 2016: Anton Pottas
2016 - 2020: Christelle Engelbrecht
2020 - 2023: Kobus Venter
2024 - present: Petro Coetzee