About Us
The Durban City Orchestra has around 50 members, made up of amatuer, experienced and professional musicians from diverse backgrounds that reflects South Africa’s rainbow nation. Our repertoire combines the classical and symphonic genres with popular and contempory styles, often incorporating instrumental and vocal soloists, as well as choirs. We frequently perform at schools, exposing learners to orchestral music and providing accompaniment to school choirs and budding soloists.
The orchestra has been in existence since 1888 when it was formed as the Durban Philharmonic Society. Comprising musicians from various backgrounds, it provides a platform for amateurs, scholars, and students to perform within an orchestral environment. It is the second oldest symphony orchestra in South Africa, although it has been known under various aliases during this time: Durban Municipal Orchestra, the Durban Symphony Orchestra and Gateway Philharmonic Orchestra. It is a registered non-profit organisation and is currently self-funded.
The DCO is incredibly proud of our recent move towards developement and upliftment, which saw the orchestra purchasing instruments for under privilaged musicians, as well as providing the means for promising, previously – disadvantaged musicians to attend rehearsals and make up part of the orchestra.
Rehearsals take place on Monday evenings in Westville, Durban. Any players of orchestral instruments that are capable of reading music are welcomed. Auditions may be required at the conductor’s discretion.
Charl van der Merwe – Conductor
Charl van der Merwe, who began his musical adventure with a simple recorder at the New Apostolic Church, performing with the Sunday School Choir and Recorder Ensemble. His talent truly flourished at Diocesan College Preparatory and School, where he excelled in the choir and refined his skills on the piano, flute, and bassoon.
By the age of 12, Charl had established himself as a remarkable flutist, achieving a distinction in his Grade 6 Royal Schools of Music exam. At 16, he discovered a passion for the deep tones of the bassoon, which would guide his musical path.
Charl has traveled the globe multiple times with Miagi (Music is A Great Investment). He served as an adhoc member of the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra from 2007 to 2018 and has been part of the Cape Town Philharmonic Youth Orchestra since 2004. Currently, he holds the position of Principal – Co-Principal Bassoon with the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra and took on the role of Musical Director and Conductor of the Durban City Orchestra in 2021.
Outside of music, Charl is all about the excitement of sports. He is a devoted Manchester United football fan as well as an avid supporter of the Springboks Rugby team. Despite all his travels, Charl expresses that nothing quite compares to a traditional South African bradi, especially where sports and good company is involved.