Endler Concert series celebrates festive season
As the year draws to a close, the Endler Concert series at the Stellenbosch University Konservatorium invites audiences to share in the warmth and wonder of the festive season with three exceptional Christmas concerts, each capturing a different facet of the season’s spirit. From orchestral brilliance and choral grandeur to the angelic voices of one of South Africa’s finest youth choirs, the 2025 Endler Christmas season promises a deeply moving and joy-filled finale to a remarkable year of music-making in Stellenbosch.
Over the course of November and early December, the Endler Hall, long celebrated for its world-class acoustics and atmosphere, will resonate with music that celebrates peace, unity, and hope.
The festivities begin on 8 November, when the Stellenbosch City Orchestra (SCO) presents its Christmas Festival 2025 at the Endler Hall for the very first time. Under the baton of Paul van Zuilenburg, this beloved concert tradition brings with it a spectacular blend of sacred, cinematic, and classical works. Audiences can look forward to the joyous sparkle of John Rutter’s The Lord Bless You and Keep You, the soaring lyricism of Karl Jenkins’ Benedictus, and the cinematic beauty of Hans Zimmer’s Silent Night and Alan Silvestri’s Spirit of the Season. Beloved carols such as O Come All Ye Faithful, Silent Night, and Hark the Herald Angels Sing will invite audiences to sing along, while highlights include Nella Fantasia, Vivo per lei, and Michael W. Smith’s moving Freeze the Frame.
Joining the orchestra are acclaimed soloists Vasti Zeeman-Knoesen, Janelle Speelman, André Terblanché, and Corneil Muller, whose performances promise to add warmth and emotion to this joyful musical celebration.
“This concert has become a cornerstone of our year,” says Paul van Zuilenburg. “Performing in the Endler allows us to share the joy of Christmas music with an even broader Stellenbosch community in a space known for its outstanding acoustics.”
The following weekend, on 15 and 16 November, audiences will experience From Karl Jenkins to Christmas Joy — a monumental choral production conducted by Johan de Villiers. Performed by a 100-voice choir comprising former members of the Libertas Choir and talented choristers from across the Western Cape, the concert opens with Karl Jenkins’ Stabat Mater, a haunting and deeply spiritual work reflecting on Mary’s grief at the Cross. Blending the ancient Latin text with writings from the Epic of Gilgamesh and the poetry of Rumi, Jenkins’s composition weaves together Western and Middle Eastern musical traditions, resulting in a sound world that is both ancient and contemporary. Mezzo-soprano Minette du Toit-Pearce joins as soloist in this emotionally charged masterpiece, accompanied by a professional orchestra led by concertmaster Petri Salonen.
After the interval, the mood turns festive with the premiere of Zorada Temmingh’s Christmas Joy — a new arrangement for choir, organ, and orchestra featuring nine carols from around the world. From the timeless Adeste Fidelis and Silent Night to lesser-known gems, Temmingh’s settings draw together contrasting images of sun and snow, silence and song, peace and celebration.
“This concert captures both the depth and the delight of Christmas,” says Johan de Villiers. “From the sacred intensity of Jenkins’ Stabat Mater to the uplifting energy of Christmas Joy, audiences will experience a journey from reflection to rejoicing — from darkness to light.”
Finally, the season culminates with Christmas Time with the Tygerberg Children’s Choir, featuring two performances on 29 November (15:00) and 7 December (16:00). Under the direction of Karina Erasmus, this internationally acclaimed ensemble will fill Endler Hall with the luminous sound of young voices — a sound synonymous with the wonder of Christmas. Their programme offers a heartwarming blend of traditional and modern carols that celebrate hope, peace, and the joy of togetherness.
“Every performance by this choir reminds us of the extraordinary power of young voices,” says Vicky Davis, artistic manager of the Stellenbosch University Konservatorium. “Their annual Christmas concert is one of the most uplifting events on our calendar — a perfect close to the year.”
Together, these three concerts form a radiant tapestry of Christmas music — a celebration of artistry, community, and renewal. From the grandeur of orchestral and choral works to the purity of children’s voices, the 2025 Endler Christmas Season at the Stellenbosch University Konservatorium invites audiences to embrace the true spirit of the holidays.
Event Details
- Stellenbosch City Orchestra: Christmas Festival 2025
Saturday, 8 November 2025 | 🕖19:00
Conductor: Paul van Zuilenburg
Endler Hall, Stellenbosch University Konservatorium - From Karl Jenkins to Christmas Joy
Saturday & Sunday, 15–16 November 2025 | 🕒15:00 (ends ±17:15)
Conductor: Johan de Villiers | Mezzo-soprano: Minette du Toit-Pearce
Endler Hall, Stellenbosch University Konservatorium - Christmas Time with the Tygerberg Children’s Choir
Saturday, 29 November 2025 | 🕒15:00
Sunday, 7 December 2025 | 🕓16:00
Conductors: Hennie & Theresa Loock
Endler Hall, Stellenbosch University Konservatorium
Tickets for all concerts available at Webtickets.