van der Watt, Niel

VAN DER WATT, Niel 

 

b. Pretoria, 28 December 1962

 

Niel van der Watt was born in Pretoria and completed his schooling at the Pietersburg Afrikaans High School in 1980. His music studies included piano, clarinet and vocal training. He has been involved in choral work as singer, conductor, composer and arranger for almost twenty years. 

 

Van der Watt received his formal training at the University of Pretoria, taking his BA Ed (Mus) in 1984, his BMus (Hons) in 1988. He was awarded his MMus in Composition in 1993, having studied with Stefans Grové. He subsequently completed his doctoral studies in musicology at the University of South Africa under the supervision of Douglas Reid. 

 

Since 1987, van der Watt has taught English and Music at Pretoria Boys’ High School. He is also a part-time examiner and lecturer at the Department of Musicology of the University of South Africa, and often adjudicates at music and choir festivals. 

 

Although he is a full-time teacher, composition is the main focus of his musical activities. Van der Watt is well-known throughout South Africa for his choral arrangements and compositions, of which several have been performed abroad. He also composes and arranges for diverse instrumental ensembles such as cello sextets and Dixie bands. 

 

 

Niel van der Watt is gebore op 28 Desember 1962 in Pretoria, Suid-Afrika. Hy voltooi sy skoolloopbaan in 1980 aan die Hoërskool Pietersburg. Sy musiekopvoeding sluit klavier-, klarinet- sowel as sangonderrig in. Vir bykans twintig jaar is Niel reeds betrokke by kore, nie net as ‘n sanger nie, maar ook as ‘n dirigent, komponis en verwerker. 

 

Hy ontvang onderskeie grade aan die Universiteit van Pretoria, naamlik: BA Ed (Mus) 1984; BMus (Hons) (Klaviermetodiek) – Cum Laude 1988; MMus (Komposisie) 1993, onder leiding van Professor Stefans Grové. Hy voltooi sy doktorale studies in Musiekwetenskap aan die Universiteit van Suid-Afrika onder leiding van Professor Douglas Reid. 

 

Sedert 1987 is Niel ‘n onderwyser by die Pretoria Boys’ High School in Engels sowel as Musiek. Hy ontvang verskeie toekennings van die Transvaalse Department van Onderwys. Hy is ook ‘n deeltydse dosent by die Departement van Musiekwetenskap te UNISA. 

 

Alhoewel hy ‘n voltydse onderwyser is, vorm komposisie ‘n integrale deel van sy musikale aktiwiteite. Hy is egter bekend vir sy koorverwerkings en –komposisies. Sommige van sy werke is al oorsee uitgevoer. Hy doen ook verwerkings vir instrumentale ensembles, waaronder tjello-sekstette en dixie-bands.

 

 

Secular Choral Works:

Ai, meisie, meisie; SAB 

 

Alleen; girls chorus

 

As good as new; orchestra; SATB 

 

Religious Choral Works:

A De-commercialised American Christ’s mass (1995) 

 

i) Kyrie: Amazing Grace; SATB 

 

ii) Gloria: Do you hear what I hear; SATB 

 

iii) Sanctus: White Christmas; SATB 

 

iv) Benedictus: Santa Claus is coming 

 

v) Agnus Dei: Little altar boy

 

Traditional Choral Works:

African Dawn (1997) 

 

i) Boroko; girls chorus 

 

ii) Ka Mehla; girls chorus 

 

iii) Thobela morena; girls chorus

 

Works for Soloists (Vocal):

Benediction; voice and piano (1989) 

 

Bitterbessie dagbreek; voice and piano 

 

Die son sal weer skyn; voice and piano 

 

Dinah Lee (1999); voice, piano, alto saxophone and bouble bass 

 

Dis my plek (1985); voice and piano 

 

Drup drup druppeltjies (1980); voice and piano; 

 

Dust of snow (1997); voice and piano 

 

Fides veritas labor (1990); voice and piano

 

Instrumental Works:

Trio pour mam’selle leger e’stier; orchestra, flute, clarinet, piano 

 

African Dawn (1997); orchestra 

 

African Reflection (1994); orchestra 

 

Afrika kerslied (1996); alto saxophone and piano 

 

Aqarelle (1984); piano 

 

Boabab (1988); orchestra