Welcome to Cantare Audire, a distinguished philharmonic choir with a rich legacy since 1972, founded by the late Ernst van Biljon.
Ernst van Biljon (1942-2016) was a South African music educator, composer, and choir conductor in Namibia. Born on July 19, 1942, in South Africa and grew up in the Free State province. He met his future wife, Valerie, during his music studies. Through his position as a piano teacher at the State Conservatoire of Music, now the College of the Arts in Windhoek, the trained music educator moved to what was then South West Africa in 1971.
Over the course of his 43 years of work, Ernst van Biljon became a key figure in shaping the music culture of Namibia: In 1975, he became the conductor of the Windhoek Youth Choir (Windhoek Jeugkoor), he conducted the internationally renowned Cantare Audire Chamber Choir from 1972, and from 1994, he conducted both the Namibia National Youth Choir (Namibië Nasionale Jeugkoor) and the Children’s Choir (Kinderkoor). Subsequently he focused on the development of the Young Singers of Namibia (2002), the Nedbank Singers (2004), and the Voices of Namibia (2004), which won a gold and two silver medals for their homeland at the 2010 World Choir Olympics in China. Ernst van Biljon, who initiated countless international tours and worked for social understanding through choral music in his host country, also served as a national and international juror, vocal teacher, composer, and mentor to many professional musicians.
In 2021, the choir was revived under the dynamic musical directorship of Martina Visser, who brought new energy and vision to the group. Under her leadership, the choir flourished, performing a variety of concerts that captivated audiences with their rich harmonies and emotive performances. Notably, the choir also collaborated with the prestigious Namibia National Symphony Orchestra, creating unforgettable musical experiences. The combination of the choir’s passionate vocals and the orchestra’s grandeur brought a fresh level of sophistication to their performances. Our choir has had the privilege of performing a diverse repertoire from 2021 to 2023, showcasing our musical range and dedication. Notable past performances include Beethoven’s Mass in C Major, Op. 86, and Fauré’s Requiem, both of which highlighted our commitment to choral excellence. We have also embraced the vibrant energy of Vivaldi’s Gloria and the festive spirit of Saint-Saëns’ Oratorio de Noël, each performance resonating with our audiences and leaving lasting impressions.
At the beginning of 2024, Martina Visser stepped down from her role, making way for a new chapter in the choir’s journey. The baton was passed to Andries Mouton, who now takes on the leadership role, bringing his own expertise and vision for the future of the choir. Under his guidance, the choir is set to continue its legacy of musical excellence while embracing new opportunities and challenges.
Our diverse choir is united by a passion for choral music, dedicating ourselves to excellence through weekly rehearsals every Tuesday evening. Join us as we celebrate the beauty of choral harmonies and share our love for music with the community. Experience the joy of singing together with us.