Theo Herbst

BMus Stell, MMus KZN, künstlerische Abschlußprüfung (Composition) Stuttgart  

Music Technology

Theo Herbst was born in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal where he underwent his early schooling and received initial tuition in Violin, Piano and Music Theory. During this time he was active as an orchestral and chamber music performer and sang in a number of choirs. He graduated from Stellenbosch University in 1986 with a BMus-degree and returned to the University of KwaZulu-Natal to complete an MMus-degree in Composition in 1988. Prof Erhard Karkoschka was a visiting lecturer at that University and Herbst continued his Composition studies under him and Prof Süße at the “Staatliche Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst” in Stuttgart. Here he was also active as choir conductor and orchestral performer, graduating in June 1993.

From 1994 to 2012 Herbst held a position as lecturer in the Music Department of Stellenbosch University. He taught a range of modules covering 19-th and 20-th century Music Theory, Composition and Orchestration as well as Aural Training. He was
instrumental in establishing a Music Technology programme at under- and postgraduate level. He also served a term as Musical Director of the KEMUS-ensemble.

In October 2012 Herbst was appointed as Senior Lecturer at the South African College of Music, University of Cape Town. He has been tasked with expanding the existing Music Technology courses and infrastructure. He composes, and his doctoral research explores approaches to musical acculturation.