Portraits by Carin

26/08/2026

Meet our Conductor: Dr Martin Berger

Martin Berger is one of the most popular, versatile and successful German choir conductors and combines artistic practice and academic teaching at a high level.
Martin graduated in church music, music education, musicology, German literature and choral conducting. During his time as Director of Music at Würzburg Cathedral (2002-2013) he developed the Cathedral music to one of the foremost institutions of its kind in Germany. As a professor of choral pedagogy at the Robert Schumann Hochschule in Düsseldorf he taught and further developed modern teaching methods for choral music.

Martin won the international choral competitions in Malta (2007) and the Franz-Schubert-Choir competition in Vienna (2008) with the chamber choir he founded at Würzburg Cathedral. Concert tours have taken him to almost all European countries, Australia, China, South Africa and the United States. He regularly appears as guest conductor for professional choirs and orchestras.

In 2013 he accepted an appointment from Stellenbosch University in South Africa where he has been developing a new concept for the choral conducting training in South Africa. In 2014, he founded the Stellenbosch University Chamber Choir (SUCC) and formed it to one of the most acknowledged choirs in the country. As a professor in Choral conducting, he teaches at the Robert-Schumann-Hochschule in Düsseldorf (Germany).

Martin is an internationally sought after masterclass-leader, guest lecturer, adjudicator and scholar. His regular international commitments include the Vice-Presidency of the World Youth and Children’s Choral Artists’ Association (WYCCAA), the membership of ISME (International Society for Music Education) and ISPME (International Society for the Philosophy in Music Education). Martin is regularly invited as a guest lecturer and guest speaker at international conferences.

Mendelssohn: A Choral Odyssey
CONDUCTED BY Martin Berger
FEATURING Schola Cantorum and Herrenstimmen der Essener Domsingknaben
DATE: Saturday 24 October at 19h30
VENUE: Cape Town City Hall
Tickets are available to purchase via Quicket: https://www.quicket.co.za/events/373630-mendelssohn-a-choral-odyssey/ #/

04/08/2026

Experience an unforgettable evening of choral music as the Philharmonia Choir of Cape Town presents Mendelssohn: A Choral Odyssey at the Cape Town City Hall. Under the direction of acclaimed German conductor Martin Berger, the choir is joined by Stellenbosch University's Schola Cantorum and Germany's Herrenstimmen der Essener Domsingknaben.

The programme features two of Mendelssohn's greatest sacred works: Lobgesang (Hymn of Praise), a powerful symphony-cantata celebrating hope and enlightenment, and Psalm 42, a moving masterpiece of lyrical beauty and spiritual reflection. Leading the performance is Dr Martin Berger, whose career as a conductor, scholar, and choir director spans top institutions across Europe and South Africa. Formerly the Director of Music (Domkapellmeister) at Würzburg Cathedral, Berger brings deep expertise in the European sacred tradition alongside a passion for vibrant collaborative performance.

CONDUCTED BY Martin Berger
FEATURING Schola Cantorum and Herrenstimmen der Essener Domsingknaben

DATE: Saturday 24 October at 19h30
VENUE: Cape Town City Hall

Tickets are available to purchase via Quicket: https://www.quicket.co.za/events/373630-mendelssohn-a-choral-odyssey/ #/

30/06/2026

29/06/2026

Went to the Abdoellah Ibrahim memorial concert and it was amazing!!

28/05/2026

Join the Philharmonia Choir for a showbiz spectacular in From Broadway to the Big Screen with Richard C**k and Jonathan Roxmouth.

23/05/2026

Let's learn some more about our Broadway to Blockbuster conductor, Richard C**k 🤩

1. What's your favourite musical?
"Sound of Music...probably the first musical I came to know well."

2.⁠ ⁠Why might fans of classical music enjoy Broadway to Blockbuster?
"They will certainly enjoy Star Wars, The Mission, and in fact all of the pieces as they have been given the full symphonic treatment."

3.⁠ ⁠Do you have a favourite film composer?
"John Williams for his great symphonic style."

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Broadway to Blockbuster: Music from Stage and Screen
CONDUCTED BY Richard C**k
FEATURING Jonathan Roxmouth
DATES: 12 June at 19h30 | 13 June at 15h30
VENUE: Cape Town City Hall
Tickets available on Quicket: https://www.quicket.co.za/events/368748-broadway-to-blockbuster/ #/

Buy your tickets today! We are selling out fast!😁