ABOUT THE CHOIR
A shared love of choral music
For many years, singers who have shared a love of fine choral music and the joy of singing together have found a home in the Durban Chamber Choir.
As a voluntary choir incorporating singers from a wide range of backgrounds, professions and age groups, we are united by a commitment to musical excellence and the pleasure of creating harmony through our song.
Our story
The Durban Chamber Choir was formed in 1991, when members of the Errol Slatter Chorale sought a new musical home following Errol Slatter’s retirement from choral conducting.
In its early years, the choir worked with a series of guest conductors before appointing David Smith as Musical Director in 1994. Since then, the choir has been fortunate to work with a number of distinguished conductors, including Cameron Upchurch, Carol Stranex, Barbara Trofimczyk, Christopher Cockburn and Andrew-John Bethke.
Each has contributed to the choir’s musical identity while building on its tradition of artistic excellence.
The music we sing
Our repertoire spans centuries of choral music, from the serenity of plainchant and Renaissance masterpieces to contemporary works, sacred music and secular favourites.
We enjoy exploring music that challenges, inspires and moves both singers and audiences. Depending on the repertoire, we perform with organ, piano and chamber ensembles, while remaining equally at home singing a cappella.
SHARING THE MUSIC
The Durban Chamber Choir presents regular concerts in Durban and Pietermaritzburg and has also performed in towns across KwaZulu-Natal.
Whether in a church, concert hall, school or retirement community, we believe that beautiful choral music should be shared wherever there are people who will enjoy it.
MUSIC DIRECTOR
Margrit Deppe
Margrit Deppe is widely regarded as a versatile and collaborative musician in South Africa, with a career spanning a wide range of musical accomplishments.
Born in London, this collaborative musician received her first music lessons at the age of 6 in Durban, starting with the piano, then later moving on to oboe and organ. She studied oboe under David Lloyd at UKZN and with Omar Zoboli in Basel, Switzerland, and has held the Co-Principal Oboe position with the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra since 2000.
Deppe has performed on the oboe with numerous South African ensembles, including Baroque 2000, the Johannesburg Philharmonic, the Eastern Cape Philharmonic, the Free State Symphony Orchestra, and Suite 415, a period ensemble that plays baroque music.
Deppe’s education includes a Master’s in Music (summa cum laude – UKZN), a C-Diploma in Church Music (distinction – Halle), and a BA Honours in Choral Direction (summa cum laude – UKZN).
As a passionate church musician, Deppe has worked as organist for Holy Trinity Catholic Parish, Our Lady of Lourdes Westville, NG Kerk Malvern and Westville, St Cyprian’s Anglican Church, and St Thomas Anglican Church, Musgrave.
Deppe also teaches piano and oboe at Clifton School, Morningside, and at the Deutsche Schule Durban, Westville.
She demonstrates artistic versatility through regular participation in choral music and is the KZN provincial head of the Choral Society of the North-Eastern Lutheran Church of South Africa.
Deppe was appointed Music Director of the Durban Chamber Choir in October 2025, and continues to lead the choir in their development of a fine choral repertoire.
CHOIR MEMBERSHIP
Come sing with us
At the heart of the Durban Chamber Choir is a warm, welcoming and supportive community, brought together by the joy of singing and a shared commitment to making music of the highest standard.
We welcome enquiries from experienced singers who would like to find out more about becoming part of the choir. Rehearsals take place on Monday evenings in Musgrave Road, Durban, with breaks over the mid-year and end-of-year holidays.
Interested in joining us? We’d love to hear from you.
