A new chapter for the UCT Choir

The University of Cape Town (UCT) Choir delivered a stirring performance at the Choral Celebration Festival (Western Cape) at the City of Cape Town’s City Hall on Sunday, 19 April 2026. The prestigious event, hosted by the Choral Celebration Network Foundation (CCNF), marked a triumphant public showcase for the ensemble. It signalled a new chapter of musical excellence and community building under the baton of its newly appointed conductor, Michaelangelo Cloete.

For Cloete, stepping onto the podium as the conductor of the university choir is the culmination of a lifelong dream. As an alumnus who studied opera and choral conducting at the South African College of Music, his roots at UCT run deep. His appointment brings a wealth of experience to the ensemble, bolstered by his role as a master conductor for the CCNF.

Through CCNF’s dedicated mentorship programme, which runs during January and February, Cloete travels across the country to provide strategic planning, guidance and capacity development to emerging conductors of school, church and community choirs. He now channels this world-class expertise into his alma mater, with a clear vision: to raise the UCT Choir’s profile and forge a highly competitive university ensemble.

Celebrating diversity through choral music

Participating in the CCNF festival is a prestigious honour. Since its inception in 2018 under founder, Alta Maré, the foundation has engaged with 29 604 singers, 943 choirs and 1 126 conductors across South Africa.

The festival creates a vital platform where choirs celebrate music, embrace diversity and build networks, regardless of their background. In these festivals, world-class choirs and conductors perform and share knowledge alongside lesser-known or less-fortunate choirs.

Rebuilding a sense of family

This spirit of inclusivity and rebuilding is central to the choir’s current mission. Jordan Johnson, chairperson of the UCT Choir, envisions the ensemble as a welcoming sanctuary for all students.

“For 2026, our vision is rebuilding and making our impact both musically and on campus, because we want to create a space for everybody who is into music,” Johnson said. “Whether you are starting at the South African College of Music or doing medicine, we want to create a space where you feel at home to share your gift.”
 

“Rebuilding our choir and becoming a stronger unit, creating that sense of family, is what UCT Choir is about.”

Reflecting on the personal impact of the choir, Johnson noted the profound sense of belonging it offers.

“Personally, music has always been something that has healed my spirit in a way. I feel like being able to share that with the world is what the UCT Choir is about,” Johnson said. “In my first year, the first thing I did was join the UCT Choir, and it felt like I had a home on campus – especially being someone who is not in a university residence, it felt like I had a space where I could go and lay my burdens down. Rebuilding our choir and becoming a stronger unit, creating that sense of family, is what UCT Choir is about.”

The choir’s progress under Cloete’s stewardship has been swift and transformative.

“Michaelangelo has been amazing,” Johnson said. “He has been a great leader, has been a real asset for the choir and has provided tutelage and music development that has strengthened the way we perform as a choir.”

Performing a stirring repertoire

The choir’s revitalised confidence was fully on display during Sunday’s performance. Their carefully curated repertoire showcased both their technical ability and their emotional depth. The ensemble performed Earth Song, composed by Frank Ticheli, a poignant modern choral work that serves as a musical cry for peace and solace.

This was followed by Dan Forrest’s Good Night, Dear Heart, a moving, soaring elegy inspired by a poem placed by Mark Twain on his daughter’s headstone. Finally, they delivered a rousing rendition of Ndikhokhele Bawo, a beloved traditional isiXhosa hymn arranged by Michael Barrett, which translates to “Lead me, oh Father”.

Looking ahead to international collaborations

With their successful CCNF performance complete, the UCT Choir looks ahead to a busy and exciting year. Their next major engagement is a collaborative concert with the touring Morgan State University Choir from Maryland in the United States, alongside Amici de Lumine, another esteemed choir conducted by Cloete. This joint performance will take place on Thursday, 28 May, at 19:00 at the St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Green Point.

The stage is set for the UCT Choir to continue its remarkable resurgence, proving that with passionate leadership and a unified voice, they are ready to leave an indelible mark on the choral landscape.