Swakopmund conductor joins World Choir Council

Swakopmund choral conductor Wilna Liebenberg has accepted an invitation to join the World Choir Council, the highest voluntary international advisory body of Interkultur, the organisation behind the World Choir Games.

She accepted on 5 November, the same day she was invited.

The invitation is signed by Interkultur president Günter Titsch, first vice-president Qin Wang and senior artistic director Fred Sjöberg.

“Your outstanding contribution to choral music and your commitment to international cultural exchange have earned our highest respect,” they wrote.

The council brings together choral leaders, educators and conductors from more than 95 countries and regions under the motto “Singing together brings nations together”. Namibian choral figures Ernst van Biljon and Fanie Dorfling have also served on it.

Liebenberg, founder and conductor of the Cgals Chamber Choir of Namibia, said her task is to “act as a representative and spokesperson for Namibia’s choral scene”.

She will give Interkultur artistic, creative and strategic advice, report at council meetings on the activities, developments and challenges of choirs in her region, and support cultural exchanges, workshops, educational seminars and festivals.

“Music has the extraordinary ability to bring people together, regardless of age, background or nationality,” Liebenberg said.

“To be invited to contribute my experience and knowledge to an international organisation that shares this vision is a tremendous honour. I see it not only as a personal achievement but also as an opportunity to represent Namibia and the wonderful choral community that has been such an important part of my journey.”

She regards the membership as recognition not only of her own work, but of the singers, teachers, accompanists, colleagues and families who have been part of her musical life.

Life shaped by music

Liebenberg returned to Namibia in 1990 after studying abroad and went on to conduct the Windhoek High School choir, the National Youth Choir of Namibia from 1991 to 1994, and the first University of Namibia choir from 1992 to 1994.

She led the PK de Villiers School choir to victory in the ATKV choir competition in 1995 and 1996 and founded the Southern Youth Choir of Namibia in 1996.

After moving to Swakopmund in 1998, she founded Cgals. It started as a women's ensemble and today brings together women from Swakopmund and Walvis Bay of different generations, cultures and walks of life.

Non-stop education

Since 2011 she has also been a music consultant at the International School of Walvis Bay, where she established the primary school choir. It scored 95% and 93% in two Unisa examinations, earning a place on Unisa’s honorary roll, and later achieved A+ results in two ABRSM examinations.

Through Wilna Music, she teaches voice and mentors young musicians, particularly those who want to study music at university or college.

In 2024 she and her colleague Vera Malherbe completed a professional master's degree in didactics and pedagogy in music education through Tech Global University in Andorra, with Liebenberg averaging 99%.

Namibian voices on a global stage

Liebenberg believes success in choral music should never be measured by winning alone, but by striving for excellence, appreciating others and sharing Namibia’s character with the world.

Cgals has toured abroad since 2012. It won the Musica Sacra category in the open competition at the 9th World Choir Games in Sochi, Russia, in 2016, and an Interkultur virtual pop and jazz category in 2021.

In June this year the choir toured Germany as guests of Interkultur, meeting Titsch and visiting the organisation’s offices. It is now preparing for the World Choir Games in Linz, Austria, in July 2027, where it will again represent Namibia.