Louis van der Watt
During his primary and high school years, Louis van der Watt received violin tuition from Jack de Wet. He passed Matric with the second highest aggregate in the then Cape Province and South-West Africa, and was also the candidate who achieved the highest mark in the subject Music. At the University of the Free State, he obtained his BA cum laude, majoring in Greek, Philosophy and Political Science. In the following year, he received the Honours degree in Philosophy cum laude and was also awarded the University’s Dux Trophy (the equivalent of Stellenbosch University’s Chancellor’s Medal). During his 4 years at the UFS, he was also First Violinist in the Free State/PACOFS Symphony Orchestra, member of the Students’ Representative Council, Chairperson of the University Choir and Vice-Warden of one of the men’s residences.
He continued his studies at the University of Stellenbosch, receiving both his BTh and Lic Theol Degrees cum laude. He furthered his violin studies under Eric Rycroft and passed the UNISA Teacher’s Licentiate, as well as the Royal Schools Performer’s and Teacher’s Licentiates with distinction. He also passed the UNISA Final examination in Organ with distinction. He was a member of, and soloist with, the US String Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra. He was also Concert Master of the US Symphony Orchestra. At the same time, he was Vice-Chairperson of the University Choir, Warden (Primarius) of Majuba men’s residence and member of the Theological Students’ Representative Council. Subsequently, he obtained his BMus Degree with distinction in Harmony and Counterpoint, as well as the Honours Degree in Musicology cum laude.
He served as full-time member of the Capab Orchestra, and for many years also as part-time member of the Cape Town Symphony Orchestra. He was Head of Strings at the Hugo Lambrechts Music Centre before his appointment as lecturer in Strings at the US in 2000. He is conductor of Canticum Novum choir, guest conductor of the USSO, and a former conductor of the Tygerberg Civic Choir.
Several of his violin and viola students have won major competitions and were awarded bursaries for further studies overseas.
He married at a late stage (as he says: “in injury time”), and he and his wife have 2 daughters and a son.
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