Sunday 10 May 12:00
Emil Weder Auditorium Genadendal
R220
Carl Orff’s magnificent masterpiece Carmina Burana is a cantata composed between 1935 and 1936 and based on 24 medieval songs and poems that cover a range of topics, from the unpredictability of fortune (which waxes and wanes as the moon), the ephemeral nature of life, the joys of spring and also the pleasures and perils of love, drinking, gambling and lust.
This musical extravaganza features the WindWorx Symphonic Wind Ensemble in collaboration with the Symphony Choir of Cape Town and joined by the SACS Boys High School Choir and local school choirs. Conducted by Levi Alexander, the performance also features three well-known soloists William Berger, Lynelle Kenned and Minette du Toit-Pearce. And for those of us who were around in the 1970’s the opening gambit Oh Fortuna will always remind us of the Old Spice TV commercial!
Levi Alexander
Levi Alexander graduated cum laude with a Masters in Music, specialising in Choral Conducting, from Stellenbosch University. He studied for a Bachelor’s Degree of Music in baritone saxophone performance and conducting at the SACM (UCT). He earned his Licentiate Diploma (LTCL) in baritone saxophone performance and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education specialising in Music and Creative Arts from Rhodes University.
Levi has been a multi-woodwind-instrumentalist in the orchestras of the Gilbert and Sullivan Society, has performed in a number of Wind Ensembles and Bands, and is an ad hoc saxophonist to the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra. He is currently a member of True Voices ad hoc, Cape Consort ad hoc, and the St Michael’s and All Angels Church Choir.
Levi was assistant conductor of the Symphony Choir of Cape Town (SCCT) from 2015-2021. He is currently the Department Head of Music at SACS High School (2021) where he started his tenure in 2015. Appointed Director of the SCCT in 2021, Levi hopes to grow both the SACS Music Department and the SCCT, his two primary focus areas, continuing to raise the high standard over the coming years.
The Symphony Choir of Cape Town
The Symphony Choir of Cape Town (SCCT) is a non-profit organisation consisting of between 50 and 70 members from all walks of life with a common love of singing, especially of major works.
The Choir was founded in 1972 as an adjunct to the Cape Town Symphony Orchestra and presents major choral performances each year under the baton of well-known guest conductors. Since 1993 the Choir has been an independent body and has promoted and managed its own concerts.
Under the direction of Levi Alexander, the choir aims to provide quality music to the public in conjunction with community organisations and emerging young soloists and conductors.
WindWorx Symphonic Wind Ensemble
Founded in 2005, the WindWorx Symphonic Wind Ensemble was established as a platform for professional and semi-professional musicians to present the finest repertoire in wind band music. Over its 21-year journey, WindWorx has performed and recorded a wide range of outstanding works under the baton of its late resident conductor, Sean Kierman, as well as guest conductors Allan Stephenson, Matthew Reid, Phil Golson, Rik Ghesquière, and many others. Through these collaborations, WindWorx has earned significant local and international recognition. In the absence of a current resident conductor, conducting duties are shared, as required, by Pamela Kierman and Riaan van Wyk.
WindWorx is a non-profit organisation dedicated to providing postgraduate musicians from diverse backgrounds with a unique opportunity to share their artistic talents with the public. The ensemble strives to set a benchmark of excellence by performing advanced-level repertoire that serves as an inspiration to the Cape’s many wind bands. A strong partnership with the University of Stellenbosch Symphonic Wind Ensemble further extends WindWorx’s commitment to creating an expansive performance platform for advanced students.
In recent years, WindWorx has become a sought-after ensemble at major festivals, including Classics for All, Hessequa Harmonie, and FynArts. In addition to these festival appearances, the ensemble presents its annual WindWorx Fanfare and regularly collaborates with the Symphony Choir of Cape Town. In 2025, WindWorx also launched the annual Christmas Fanfare, celebrating the festive season through music.
The WindWorx Education Programme (WWEP) encompasses several initiatives, including the WindWorx Fanfare, which annually brings together hundreds of learners performing with their school bands. The programme also provides sponsored wind-instrument tuition for learners who cannot afford formal music lessons, as well as a recent wind band awareness campaign broadcast through a series of twelve podcasts on Fine Music Radio. These initiatives are financially supported by the Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra.
For this performance, WindWorx is supported by the Stellenbosch University Conservatory, which provides rehearsal venues, percussion instruments, transport, and essential logistical support.
SACS Boys High School Choir
The SACS Choir is an integral part of the Music Department at SACS and has established itself as a core group within the school. The first choir at the school was established 194 years ago in 1908. The choir is currently directed by Mr. Warren Patientia and consists of over 80 members. It continually grows and fosters an enthusiasm and love for choral singing. The choir embraces inclusivity and acceptance of members from all walks of life. This enables boys to develop an appreciation of music-making, creating a nurturing and musical environment for individuals to reach their full potential whilst finding a sense of belonging with the school through camaraderie and teamwork.
The choir embraces a diverse range of repertoire that includes classical music, film music, traditional African music and popular works from all cultures and styles. The choir performs regularly throughout the year at all main school performances and has collaborated with various choirs including Rustenburg Girls’ High School, Rondebosch Boys’ High School, Cape Town Camerata, and the Cape Town Male Voice Choir. The choir toured Eastern Europe in 2017 with Springfield Girls’ Choir. It was the overall winner in 2017 and 2018 at the Sans FACETS Eisteddfod competition, a gold diploma at the Cape Town Eisteddfod in 2019 and a High Honours award in 2022.
