The Peninsula Choristers Male voice choir was formed in 1959 as a result of a genuine and ardent desire on the part of a group of music-loving men to give expression to the urge of music-making. They consistently persevered in the pursuance of that objective.
The choir had a worthy forerunner in a similar group with headquarters at Retreat, known as the Aurora Male Voice Choir, (1944 – 1959). When Aurora became defunct in 1959, a few of its original members, together with a few others, met and founded what was to become the now well-known Peninsula Choristers.
The foundation members of the choir were: Basil de Vries (the first Conductor), Peter Lewin, Robert Davis, Anthony Herman (1980) Secretary and his brother, Bernard Herman, Wilfred van Blerck, Ray Smith, Roland Allen, Neil Allen and Yvonne Laboudeuse (the first Pianist). Ron Thebus (Conductor 1980) joined the group shortly afterwards, as did George Voges (Treasurer) and stalwart in the bass line and Ernie Hendrickse (Chairman).
The second Conductor (1980), Mr Ronny Thebus, wrote “… with its inception, the Choir was, indeed, fortunate in having had, as its first conductor, the services of Mr Basil de Vries. His natural love and enthusiasm for both choral and instrumental music was the driving force behind the Choir’s gradual progress and eventual success in the sphere of music generally. Under his direction, many musical evenings – still in vogue today – were presented.”
The Choristers had never been able to boast of numerical strength, but what it lacked in numbers it certainly made up in quality – the quality of its members, the quality of its music selection and its unfailing musical discipline At no time in its first 21 years of existence did this small group exceeded 17 persons.
When Basil de Vries emigrated to Canada with an exit permit during the Apartheid years, the conductorship moved to Ronny Thebus. Many practices were attended in the heart on Wynberg on Monday evenings, learning 4 voice parts and the words to all the songs in the repertoire. When Ronny passed suddenly after a practice one evening, the conductor’s baton was passed onto Anthony Herman (1985). The practices then moved to Tony’s home in Heathfield, where the lounge was filled with sounds of piano music and singing on Monday nights. Tony remained their conductor till the choir disbanded in the 1990s.
The chairperson George Vosges in 1989, said “Over the years, Monday evenings have always been an appointment never to be missed. This was largely due to the immense pleasure that choristers derive from their involvement with the group”.
According to the Deputy Conductor (1980), Mr Peter Lewin, at one of the choir anniversaries, “…according to the testimony of many, the Choristers have sung their way into the hearts of the people. It is with a feeling of humility and extreme gratitude that we acknowledge the applause of the public at large. We consider ourselves privileged to have been of service”
An invaluable and unique asset of which the choir can proudly boast, was its knack in always being able to find highly talented accompanists whose services it enjoyed over the years. The unqualified success of the choir was immensely influenced by the contributions of those ladies.
Some of the artistes who have shared programmes with the Peninsula Choristers during the past years.
These are some of the soloists, duets, quartets and musicians who graced their stages: May Abrahams (Soprano), Miranda Alexander, Alhern Cupido, Leon Dreyer, Winifred Du Plessis, Wilmarc Ellman, Manuel Escorcia, Aubrey Fiegeland, Leona Gordon, Vera Gow, Ruth Goodwin, Reginald Hans, Harvard Group (String & Violin orchestra under Mrs Smith), Keith Janson, Yvonne Jansen, Keith Jeneke, Sylvia Jeftha, Arthur Joseph (Compere), Freda Koopman, Fred Martin, Vera Neethling, Reg and Selwyn Norris, Solomon (Solly) Patience (Musical Saw), Anne Smith, S.A.C.C. Band, S.A. Prisons Band, Cecil Tobin, Henry Rousseau, Patricia van Graan, Derek Weber, Suzi van Dijk. Isaac Jacobs.
The Peninsula Choristers have performed. In city halls, town halls, school halls, at Eisteddfods, or at celebrations, at services of dedication, at memorial services, at gravesides. Whether they sang in Oranjezicht or Varkensvlei, in Rondebosch or O’kiep, the Choristers have always honoured their audiences with the best music that they could make. Herein lay the greatness of the Peninsula Choristers.
A memorable event was a concert in Malmesbury in 1993, where a host of musicians, soloists, quartets and the choir entertained the community
The choir also had studio recordings made of a few of their special songs which is a treasure to listen to.
The Peninsula Choristers collaborated with many organisations to raise funds and regarded these opportunities as a privilege:
Ratepayers’ Associations:
Retreat, Kalk Bay.
Churches:
Methodist, Presbyterian, Congregational, D.R.C. Mission, Anglican, Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Calvinist Protestant and Moravian, A.M.E., Holy Redeemer Parish 1989 (Bergvliet).Schools:
St Anthonys RC Primary School (1991) on their 75th Anniversary. Primary and High Schools throughout the Peninsula and further afield.Clubs:
Dove Club, Beacon Club, Lighthouse Club, Club 62.Welfare Organisations:
League of Friends of the Blind (LOFOB), Wynberg Welfare Workers, Nursery Schools, Home for the Aged.
They travelled to many towns to sing at shared fundraising concerts: Friemersheim, George, Great Brak, Heidelberg, Malmesbury, Mossel Bay, Montague, Nababeep, Paarl, Piketberg, Port Elizabeth, Riversdale, Stellenbosch, Suurbraak, Swellendam, Wellington and Worcester.
The Peninsula Choristers also contributed funds to what members believed to be just and worthy causes of music education or by assisting deserving students through the Bursary Fund.
Festival Events: During the latter years, the Peninsula Choristers participated in various large provincial events, hosted by the City. One of the events was “Keep the World Singing” Music Festival in September 1989, hosted by the Cape Town Male voice choir, involving 8 other choirs.
The Spring Choir Festival, part of the Genesis Music Project, in September1994 will be remembered for its rendition of Faures Requiem Opus 48 and Mozarts Symphony no 38, with 11 participating choirs. Other participating Choirs were the Goodwill Choristers, another prominent male voice choir in Cape Town and the Immaculata Ladies choir, based in Wittebome.
One of the Choristers’ greatest achievements has been the establishment of a Bursary Fund, which has recently supported talented singers and musicians to further their studies overseas.
By their own efforts and in combination with the efforts of other organisations of like nature, they have played a major role in distributing thousands of rands to churches, schools and countless charitable organisations. They have also contributed thousands of rands to what members believed to be just and worthy causes of music education.
Farewell to an era
During the 1990’s the choir experienced decreasing numbers and decided to close. It was indeed a sad day for the members and their families to close a memorable chapter in their lives and in the community.
We salute the Peninsula Choristers … a true band of STOUT-HEARTED MEN!