Hendrik Hofmeyr Prize for the Best Performance of South African Music

About

The South African College of Music at the University of Cape Town has a long history of association with South African composers and Composition teachers, including two of its earliest directors, William Henry Bell and Eric Chisholm. Other composers who have studied and/or taught at the College include Arnold van Wyk, Hubert du Plessis, Stefans Grovè, Blanche Gerstmann, Gideon Fagan, Priaulx Rainier, John Joubert, Thoma Rajna, Malcolm Forsyth, Peter Klatzow, Carl van Wyk, Roelof Temmingh, Hans Roosenschoon, David Kosvenir and Hendrik Hofmeyr.

The Composition course at College, currently taught by Assoc Prof Martin Watt and Grant McLachlan, is largely project based. During the academic year, students complete compositions for different instrumental and vocal combinations as assigned by the lecturer. Individual students also present one seminar each semester on a topic of their choice. The course aims to familiarise students with selected compositional procedures in modern Classical music. Some of the techniques that are explored include scale formations, melodic and rhythmic motifs and their development, melodic structure and shape, harmonic procedures, writing accompaniment, rhythmic profiles and designs, setting text to music, composing for voice and/or chorus, and larger formal structural design.

The Hendrik Hofmeyr Prize for the Best Performance of South African Music is awarded annually at the student showcase concert featuring a selection of Classical performance and composition students of the South African College of Music, as well as works by South African composers.

2025 Competition details

CLOSING DATE: Please submit your chosen repertoire to Dr Esthea Kruger by 12:00 on Friday 29 August 2025.

The winner will be announced at the concert on Tuesday 16 September 2025, 7pm, Baxter Concert Hall.

Entrance requirements 

The South African College of Music hereby invites applications for the 2025 Hendrik Hofmeyr Prize for the Best Performance of South African Music.

Open to any student or students registered at the South African College of Music.

The prize is awarded for a performance at the Student Showcase of South African Music of a fully notated piece of Classical music by a South African composer. Individual movements / pieces / arias / songs from larger works are allowed.