Johann van der Sandt
Encyclopedia
Johann van der Sandt was born in the Free State Province
of South Africa
, He studied at the University of Pretoria
where he obtained his B.Mus (Ed), B. Mus (Hons) and M Mus (Musiekwetenskap), as well as Diplomas in Individual Music education in piano, organ, vocal training and clarinet.
Van der Sandt had his first taste of singing as a schoolboy in his school choir and in the North-Transvaal Youth Choir. While studying at the University of Pretoria he sang in the University of Pretoria Camerata
. He often attends overseas master-classes and symposia.
In January 1996 he received the Diploma in Choral Conducting at the Institute of Choral Conductors Training, Gorinchem (The Netherlands) under the direction of Joop Schets.
Recent invitations include:
Choirs under his direction have won numerous choral competitions, both on international and national level. The Tuks Camerata won the first prize in the acclaimed International Choral Competition, Spittal an der Drau
, Austria
, July 2001. They attained a percentage of 98% in the competition. In the same year they were awarded the prize for the best rendition of a prescribed work in the Arnhem International Choral Competition (The Netherlands). Choirs (The Rand Afrikaans University Choir and the University of Pretoria Camerata
) under his direction have been awarded the Grand Prix award at the Prague International Choral Competitionhttp://www.praguefestival.cz/christmas.htm for two years consecutively. In 2007 Van der Sandt was awarded best conductor at the International Choral festival in Gorizia, Italy while conducting the University of Pretoria Camerata. The Camerata were also awarded first prize in the Jazz and Pop category at an 46th CA Seghizzi International Choral Competition held at the festival.
As conductor he has been awarded: winner of price for best conductor with the East Rand Youth Choir's participation at the 16th International Béla Bartók Choir Competition, Debrecen
, Hungary
, and in 1998, winner of the prize for best conductor with the Rand Afrikaans University Choir's participation at the Prague International Choir Competition, Czech Republic
.
He is also conductor of the Sinkronies Chamber Choir. The choir’s aim is to form a podium for the work of South African composers. In this way the choir endeavours to make a contribution to the archive of South African choral music. The choir was already nominated for two South African Music Awards in the category: Best Choral Performance. The choir won the 1998 South African Music Award for their recording of the sacred a cappella works of the Stellenbosch composer Pieter van der Westhuizen. In 2006 Van der Sandt put together Cant'Afrika, a singing group of 12 singers whose aim it is to study and perform works of South African composers.
He made his début as choral conductor in 1989 with the Impromptu Chamber Choir. He led the East Rand Youth Choir for six years (1993-1997). He strived to establish the choir as one of the leading youth choirs in the country with an extensive and diverse repertoire: simple South African and African folk songs, standard a cappella compositions and works by South African composers. In July 1994 the choir took part in the 16th Béla Bartók Choral Competition, Hungary
, where they won the folklore section and they received the 2nd prize in the Mixed Youth Choir Section. At the same event Van der Sandt received the prize for the 2nd best conductor.
He has attended the World Choral Music Symposia in Vancouver
, Canada
, August 1993, Sydney
, Australia
, August 1996, Rotterdam
, The Netherlands, 1999; Minneapolis, 2002, as well as the European Symposium on Choral Music in Ljubljana
, Slovenia
, during July 1995. Under invitation from Eric Ericson
he attended the following master-classes:
In July 2008 Van der Sandt moved to the Drakensberg Boys Choir school as director of music
Van der Sandt is also a composer and is well known for his choral arrangements, performed by national and international choirs. His first publication, in co-operation with the composer Niel van der Watt
, was published in June 1995 - African songbook for mixed choir. Under his artistic direction the German label Prospect have launched the CD series South African Choral Music.
Free State
The Free State is a province of South Africa. Its capital is Bloemfontein, which is also South Africa's judicial capital. Its historical origins lie in the Orange Free State Boer republic and later Orange Free State Province. The current borders of the province date from 1994 when the Bantustans...
of South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, He studied at the University of Pretoria
University of Pretoria
The University of Pretoria is a multi campus public research university located in Pretoria, the administrative and de facto capital of South Africa...
where he obtained his B.Mus (Ed), B. Mus (Hons) and M Mus (Musiekwetenskap), as well as Diplomas in Individual Music education in piano, organ, vocal training and clarinet.
Van der Sandt had his first taste of singing as a schoolboy in his school choir and in the North-Transvaal Youth Choir. While studying at the University of Pretoria he sang in the University of Pretoria Camerata
University of Pretoria Camerata
The University Of Pretoria Camerata is one of five choirs that the University of Pretoria, South Africa has on its campus. The other four are The University Of Pretoria Chorale, The University Of Pretoria Youth Choir, The University Of Pretoria Children's Choir and the The University Of Pretoria...
. He often attends overseas master-classes and symposia.
In January 1996 he received the Diploma in Choral Conducting at the Institute of Choral Conductors Training, Gorinchem (The Netherlands) under the direction of Joop Schets.
Biography
Van der Sandt held the possion of Professor in Choral Conducting at the University of Pretoria and was the official Choral conductor of the University where he implemented a unique model for choral singing on South African University campuses until June 2008.Recent invitations include:
- Guest conductor of the Prague Chamber ChoirPrague Chamber ChoirThe Prague Chamber Choir is a Czech choir founded in 1990 by singers of the Prague Philharmonic Choir. It has given concerts in Australia, Brazil, Israel, Japan, Lebanon and many European countries .- External links :*...
, concert dates still to be determined. - Permanent jury member for the International Festival and Competition of Advent and Christmas Music with Petr Eben Prize , PraguePraguePrague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
, Czech RepublicCzech RepublicThe Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
. - Jury member for the 41st International Choir competition in SpittalSpittal an der DrauSpittal an der Drau is located in the western part of the Austrian federal state of Carinthia and the administrative centre of the federal state's second largest district, Spittal an der Drau. It lies between the Lurnfeld area and the Lower Drava Valley. The city consists of the seven...
, AustriaAustriaAustria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
. - Guest conductor for the Austrian government's Bundesministerium für soziale Sicherheit und Generationen in GrazGrazThe more recent population figures do not give the whole picture as only people with principal residence status are counted and people with secondary residence status are not. Most of the people with secondary residence status in Graz are students...
, AustriaAustriaAustria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
(2002 and 2003) - Guest lecturer at the Institute of Music Pedagogy of The University of Music and Art, GrazGrazThe more recent population figures do not give the whole picture as only people with principal residence status are counted and people with secondary residence status are not. Most of the people with secondary residence status in Graz are students...
, AustriaAustriaAustria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
; 2003. - Guest lecturer and conductor on the choral traditions of South Africa at The Performing Arts Institute of Wyoming Seminary (USA) (2004,2005,2006, and 2008).
- Guest conductor for Vorarlberg's Choral Association in BregenzBregenz-Culture:The annual summer music festival Bregenzer Festspiele is a world-famous festival which takes place on and around a stage on Lake Constance, where a different opera is performed every second year.-Sport:* A1 Bregenz HB is a handball team....
, AustriaAustriaAustria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
(2004 and 2006). - Guest Conductor in November 2005 for a combined choir of members of Musica and Cantinovum Chamber Choirs, JyväskyläJyväskyläJyväskylä is the capital of Central Finland and the largest city on the Finnish Lakeland, north-east of Tampere and north of Helsinki, on northern coast of lake Päijänne. The city has been continuously one of the most rapidly growing cities in Finland since World War II. The city is surrounded...
, FinlandFinlandFinland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
. The concert featured contemporary South African choral repertoire. - Guest lecturer at the Department of Musicology, University of JyväskyläUniversity of JyväskyläThe University of Jyväskylä is a university in Jyväskylä, Finland. It has its origins in the first Finnish-speaking teacher training college , founded in 1863. Around 14,000 students are currently enrolled in the degree programs of the university...
and the school of Music, Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences, FinlandFinlandFinland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
(2004, 2005 and 2006).
Choirs under his direction have won numerous choral competitions, both on international and national level. The Tuks Camerata won the first prize in the acclaimed International Choral Competition, Spittal an der Drau
Spittal an der Drau
Spittal an der Drau is located in the western part of the Austrian federal state of Carinthia and the administrative centre of the federal state's second largest district, Spittal an der Drau. It lies between the Lurnfeld area and the Lower Drava Valley. The city consists of the seven...
, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
, July 2001. They attained a percentage of 98% in the competition. In the same year they were awarded the prize for the best rendition of a prescribed work in the Arnhem International Choral Competition (The Netherlands). Choirs (The Rand Afrikaans University Choir and the University of Pretoria Camerata
University of Pretoria Camerata
The University Of Pretoria Camerata is one of five choirs that the University of Pretoria, South Africa has on its campus. The other four are The University Of Pretoria Chorale, The University Of Pretoria Youth Choir, The University Of Pretoria Children's Choir and the The University Of Pretoria...
) under his direction have been awarded the Grand Prix award at the Prague International Choral Competitionhttp://www.praguefestival.cz/christmas.htm for two years consecutively. In 2007 Van der Sandt was awarded best conductor at the International Choral festival in Gorizia, Italy while conducting the University of Pretoria Camerata. The Camerata were also awarded first prize in the Jazz and Pop category at an 46th CA Seghizzi International Choral Competition held at the festival.
As conductor he has been awarded: winner of price for best conductor with the East Rand Youth Choir's participation at the 16th International Béla Bartók Choir Competition, Debrecen
Debrecen
Debrecen , is the second largest city in Hungary after Budapest. Debrecen is the regional centre of the Northern Great Plain region and the seat of Hajdú-Bihar county.- Name :...
, Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
, and in 1998, winner of the prize for best conductor with the Rand Afrikaans University Choir's participation at the Prague International Choir Competition, Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
.
He is also conductor of the Sinkronies Chamber Choir. The choir’s aim is to form a podium for the work of South African composers. In this way the choir endeavours to make a contribution to the archive of South African choral music. The choir was already nominated for two South African Music Awards in the category: Best Choral Performance. The choir won the 1998 South African Music Award for their recording of the sacred a cappella works of the Stellenbosch composer Pieter van der Westhuizen. In 2006 Van der Sandt put together Cant'Afrika, a singing group of 12 singers whose aim it is to study and perform works of South African composers.
He made his début as choral conductor in 1989 with the Impromptu Chamber Choir. He led the East Rand Youth Choir for six years (1993-1997). He strived to establish the choir as one of the leading youth choirs in the country with an extensive and diverse repertoire: simple South African and African folk songs, standard a cappella compositions and works by South African composers. In July 1994 the choir took part in the 16th Béla Bartók Choral Competition, Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
, where they won the folklore section and they received the 2nd prize in the Mixed Youth Choir Section. At the same event Van der Sandt received the prize for the 2nd best conductor.
He has attended the World Choral Music Symposia in Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, August 1993, Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, August 1996, Rotterdam
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and one of the largest ports in the world. Starting as a dam on the Rotte river, Rotterdam has grown into a major international commercial centre...
, The Netherlands, 1999; Minneapolis, 2002, as well as the European Symposium on Choral Music in Ljubljana
Ljubljana
Ljubljana is the capital of Slovenia and its largest city. It is the centre of the City Municipality of Ljubljana. It is located in the centre of the country in the Ljubljana Basin, and is a mid-sized city of some 270,000 inhabitants...
, Slovenia
Slovenia
Slovenia , officially the Republic of Slovenia , is a country in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north, and also has a small portion of...
, during July 1995. Under invitation from Eric Ericson
Eric Ericson
, is a Swedish choral conductor and influential choral teacher. He graduated from the Royal College of Music in Stockholm in 1943 and went on to complete his studies abroad, at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, Switzerland, and in Germany, Great Britain, and the United States.Renowned for his...
he attended the following master-classes:
- 1996 December: AmsterdamAmsterdamAmsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
(Choir: Netherlands Chamber Choir). - 1997 September; PraguePraguePrague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
(Choir: Prague Chamber ChoirPrague Chamber ChoirThe Prague Chamber Choir is a Czech choir founded in 1990 by singers of the Prague Philharmonic Choir. It has given concerts in Australia, Brazil, Israel, Japan, Lebanon and many European countries .- External links :*...
). - 1998 February; AmsterdamAmsterdamAmsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
(Choir: Netherlands Chamber Choir)
In July 2008 Van der Sandt moved to the Drakensberg Boys Choir school as director of music
Van der Sandt is also a composer and is well known for his choral arrangements, performed by national and international choirs. His first publication, in co-operation with the composer Niel van der Watt
Niel van der Watt
Niel van der Watt is a South African composer. Well known for his choral compositions, he has also established himself as a leading composer of chamber music.-Education:...
, was published in June 1995 - African songbook for mixed choir. Under his artistic direction the German label Prospect have launched the CD series South African Choral Music.