Out of the hustle and bustle of Johannesburg, the University of Johannesburg Choir has bloomed into a musical hybrid that reflects the struggles of the country’s past and hope for its future. Formed in 2005 from the former RAU Choir and RAU Chorale, the UJ consists of students of the University that study a range of qualifications that do not include music. It has since raised the South African flag up high in Austria, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark, Poland, Slovakia; just to name a few. Under the genius hands of renowned conductor, Renette Bouwer, the choir’s travel and sound has earned them a number of awards and achievements, among which is the 2015 Overall Grand Prix recognition at the Slovakia Folk competition held in Bratislava. In 2016, the UJ choir took local audiences by storm at the Grahamstown National Arts festival stage and continued to do so landing in 2nd place on the first season of the intervarsity choir Competition, VarsitySing, on KykNet. This year, they had amazing repertoire that accompanied them on a national tour that touched the hearts of residents in Bloemfontein, Potchefstroom, Knysna, Stellenbosch and Lichtenburg. The Choir has released seven CDs since its birth and continues to show growth and incredible stature.
