The Choir in St Stithians College

The Duke of Cornwall Singers was founded in 1985 as a four-part barbershop group under the baton of Moira Schafer. The present conductor, Dalene Hoogenhout, who took over in 1996, has transformed it from a 20th century barbershop group into a 21rst century vocal group. The Dukes consists of twenty-one performing members ranging between the ages of fifteen and eighteen. They have established a reputation of striving for musical excellence as well as being a great entertainment act.

Among their more memorable performances have been the 1998 Presidential Education Awards at former president Nelson Mandela's residence and the Music Symposium attended by the Minister of Education, Mr Kader Asmal in 1999. They sang for returning SA Olympic athletes in 2000, and last year they performed for Deputy President Jacob Zuma. The Dukes have also undertaken overseas tours to South America and the USA, and in this year's tour of Argentina they hope that audiences will not only enjoy their unique blend of music, but also be exposed to our rich South African cultural heritage.

The mission of the Dukes is to strive for excellence in singing, to contribute to the music at St Stithians, to promote an interest in choral music within the school and society and to be worthy ambassadors for St Stithians College.