About Us
A Little Word About Us
Eastern Cape children's choir
Mrs. Marilise van Rooyen took over the position as choir director at the beginning of 2019. We are excited to see how the ECCC will continue to flourish under her capable music guidance.
Membership of the choir not only provides children with excellent music tuition, but also teaches them to value teamwork, cooperation, discipline, and other life skills.
The choir regularly receives invitations to perform in and around the Eastern Cape and has toured extensively, both nationally and internationally, in the past. In 2019 the Cologne Cathedral Girls’ Choir visited Port Elizabeth. The Girls’ Choir joined the Eastern Cape Children’s Choir for a performance.
The Children’s Choir, in collaboration with the Eastern Cape junior Children’s Choir and the Eastern Cape Youth Choir, host a Prestige Concert annually in September.
The day-to-day administration is managed by a committee consisting of volunteers. Choristers pay an annual membership fee that covers, amongst other things, the annual workshop, honorariums for the conductor, accompanist and repetiteurs, performance uniforms, stationery, and hosting of visiting choirs. The financial statements are audited annually.
In 2008 the decision was made to start a young Children’s Choir, where children who are too young for the ECCC (7-10 years of age) are taught proper voice technique and choir and concert etiquette in a conducive environment, preparing them for the more challenging demands of the ECCC. Led by well-known local musician and music teacher Hanlie Young, the Eastern Cape junior Children’s Choir (ECjCC), quickly proved, through several public performances, that eve young children can perform at a remarkably high standard. Far from merely acting as a feeder choir, the ECjCC is already an outstanding choir. At the end of 2010 it was decided that the ECjCC would be administered independently from the ECCC.The three regional choirs for the various age groups continue to co-operate closely. Read more about them at www.ecjcchoir.com and www.ecyc.co.za .
A choir Like No Other
MARILISE VAN ROOYEN
Conductor
Marilise (Buijs) was born in Durban and obtained B Mus Hon., Licenciates in organ and piano, HED in Mathematics and Physical Sciences (cum laude) and a Diploma in Hymnology.
She is married to Bouwer van Rooyen and the couple has a daughter and three sons.
Amongst others she taught music at Ermelo High School, Graaff-Reinet Teachers’ College and in Bloemfontein at Grey College, Oranje Meisieskool and St Michael’s School for Girls. Concurrently she held organ posts in Ermelo, Graaff-Reinet, Vereeniging and Bloemfontein.
For the past more than 40 years she has been conducting several choirs, amongst others Grey College Boys’ Choir and St Michael’s Chapel Choir and Senior Primary Choir in Bloemfontein. Over several years these choirs excelled at Eisteddfods and ended as category winners at the National final rounds of ATKV Applous.
Marilise is closely involved in several choir activities. She was accompanist for several choirs in the past, including an international concert tour. She has attended several International Choir Symposia and also undertook two concert tours to Europe as conductor.
She regularly officiates as adjudicator at choir competitions and Eisteddfods, including ATKV Applous Eastern Cape Regional Rounds (2016), Southern Cape School Choir Competition (2017) and Bloemfontein Eisteddfod (2018).
Presently she is a part-time organ lecturer at NMU and officiates as relief organist at various churches in and around Port Elizabeth.
She was appointed as conductor of the ECCC in January 2019.
Joshua de Paula e Silva Accompanist
Joshua was born on 16 December 1995 in Mozambique. His family returned to South Africa when he was two years of age.
He started with piano lessons at the age of 7 and continued with music as a subject throughout high school at Westering High. In Grade 7 he also started with organ lessons.
He became the pianist at his church while still at school and has also been the accompanist for the Port Elizabeth SDA Men’s Choir.
During his matric year Joshua achieved Grade 8 Piano (UNISA). Currently he is a third year B Mus student at NMU, under the mentorship of Dr. E. Bothma. Joshua is working towards a double Masters in Piano Performance and Music Therapy.
He joined the Eastern Cape Children’s Choir as accompanist in October 2019.
Elmari Meyer
PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
As the Public Relations Officer for the Eastern Cape Children’s Choir, we take pleasure to introduce to you, Mrs Elmari Meyer.
She holds a B Tech degree in Public Relations, obtained at UNISA, majoring in Communication.
Elmari has a lifelong involvement as a chorister, which includes being a soloist for the Tygerberg Children’s Choir. She also sang in the Libertas Choir for 7 years as well as various other chamber choirs, such as the NMMU Choir and Cantando@ Algoa community choir, of which she is a founder member.
Being the Public Relations officer for the ECCC, combines her passion for choral music with her professional skills.
choir management
The choir is managed by an Executive Committee of volunteers who are elected annually.
Please note that all committee members have full-time occupations and may not always be available when contacted. The member will contact you as soon as possible.
Music support team
Dr. Sanderi Oosthuysen
Me. Ronel Maarschalk
Me. Wilma Taljaard