Photo by: Billi-Jean Parker – Ocean Planet Media
Welcome to the official website of the Durban Symphonic Choir
One of the oldest amateur choirs in South Africa
Founded in 1966, the Durban Symphonic Choir aims to inspire singers and audiences alike with the magnificence, beauty and emotional power of choral music through their performances.
We invite you to find out more about us by browsing through our website.
Look at our Upcoming Concerts section to see our next performances with date, venue and ticket details.
Sing with us! New members are always welcome. Do you love to sing? Can you sing? Are you available to rehearse on Tuesday evenings from 5.30 – 7.30 pm? You don’t have to be able to read music; many of us can’t (but it does help). All you need is a love of music, a decent voice that can hold the tune and rhythm, and be able to attend most rehearsals. If that’s you, find out how you can sing with us!
Future Concerts
his Palm Sunday, prepare for an afternoon of beautiful sacred choral music as the Durban Symphonic Choir, in association with the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra, presents a varied program at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Mariannhill.
The concert features John Rutter’s Requiem, excerpts from Bach’s St. John Passion, excerpts from Mozart Requiem and excerpts from Handel’s Messiah.
Event Details:
Date: Sunday, 13 April 2025
Time: 15:00 – 17:00
Venue: St. Joseph’s Cathedral, 98 Abbot Francis Road, Mariannhill, Durban, 3601
Tickets: R130 (under 12’s free), available online at Quicket or at the door.
Food & Beverages: Will be available for purchase.
This concert is a must-attend for classical music lovers and those seeking a meaningful way to observe Palm Sunday.
About Us
The Durban Symphonic Choir was formed in 1966 by Heather Brandon at the request of the Durban City Council, and has become a self-funding amateur choir whose diverse membership shares a love of music.
The choir is well known for its presentations of major classical choral works, but it has also performed lighter music and has built up a loyal following.
A varied repertoire has been developed and includes presentations of major choral works including Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, Bach’s St Matthew Passion; Joseph Haydn’s The Creation; the Requiems of Verdi, Brahms, Mozart, Fauré and Andrew Lloyd-Webber (SA premiere performance in 1991); Handel’s Messiah; Mozart’s Coronation Mass and Mendelssohn’s Elijah. Another favourite with audiences is Carl Orff’s “Carmina Burana”, and it has often featured in the choir’s programme.
The choir has a long-lasting and happy relationship with the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra and frequently performs in concerts with them, sometimes joining forces with other choirs.
Follow us on our Facebook and Instagram page to keep in touch.
Sing with Us!
Subject to upcoming concert rehearsals, new members are welcome to join throughout the year. All voice groups are welcome but we are particularly short of high sopranos and tenors.
We rehearse at St Henry’s Marist College, 210 Mazisi Kunene Road, Glenwood, Durban, 4001 on Tuesday evenings from 5.30pm – 7.30pm.
Visitors are welcome to attend a rehearsal before committing. If you enjoy the experience and would like to join us, we ask you to take a short audition.
If accepted, there are six simple rules:
- Attend as many rehearsals as possible
- Be on time
- Don’t talk during rehearsals
- Learn the music (we provide training music so you can listen and sing along at home, or search www.cyberbass.com and other online recordings to learn most classical music).
- Encourage your family and friends to come to our concerts
- Have fun!
It is not essential to be able to read music – Pavarotti never did! – although it helps. More important is that you have a pleasing voice, a sense of rhythm, and the ability to remember the tune of your voice part.
As an amateur choir, we are not paid singers. We ask members to contribute a nominal membership fee, currently R50 per month, towards regular running costs.
We look forward to hearing from you. Please submit the membership inquiry form below, or send an e-mail to durbansymphonicchoir@gmail.com. Be sure to include your name, e-mail address, cellphone / WhatsApp number, age, gender, choral singing experience (if any) and voice group (if you know).
We look forward to you singing with us.
Contact Us
Membership inquiries: Tracy Campbell
durbansymphonicchoir@gmail.com | sms 072 768 2291
Other inquiries: Marian Swart
jcmswart@gmail.com | 082 418 0883
Follow Us
- St Henry’s Marist College
- 072 768 2291 (sms)
- Tuesdays 17:30 - 19:30