“This is a childhood dream – not many musicians have had the privilege to  perform at St Paul’s Cathedral, especially not an organist from South Africa,” says Prof Theo van Wyk, Associate Professor of Music at UP’s School of Arts.

Professor Theo van Wyk of the University of Pretoria’s (UP) School of Arts has become one of a few select South African organists who have been invited to perform at the centuries-old St Paul’s Cathedral in London.

Prof Van Wyk will be playing South African organ compositions for this momentous occasion, including Toccata for Madiba by the late composer Surendran Reddy. The piece is dedicated to Nelson Mandela and features various African music genres such as marabi, kwela, mbaqanga and township Jazz. Prof Van Wyk will also perform work by Prof Henk Temmingh and Dr Miles Warrington.

“This is a childhood dream as not many musicians have had the privilege and opportunity to perform at St Paul’s Cathedral, especially not an organist from South Africa,” Prof Van Wyk said.