South African College High School Concert Band

The South African College School (SACS) is the oldest high school in South Africa, founded in September 1829. It is arguably the most magnificent school setting being situated at the foot of Table Mountain and Devil’s peak.

The SACS Concert Band, a band open to all SACS high school boys, is conducted by Levi Alexander and provides an important educational environment for ensemble playing. At capacity the band boasts 85 members, rehearsing two times a week, performing regularly in ceremonial school events and participating in Eisteddfods, Festivals and Competitions. A wide variety of music is performed from film music and marching band pieces to serious wind band repertoire. The band’s main role is to perform as a ceremonial band at various formal school functions. The Concert Band celebrated its centenary in 2019.

Awards include first prizes at the Sans Souci Facets Competition, the Cape Town and Kaapse Afrikaanse Eisteddfodau, and a Diploma (over 90%) at the annual Windworx Festival. The band has a close affiliation with the Stellenbosch University Symphonic Wind Ensemble having been invited to perform at their annual Band Extravaganza Festival since 2018. In 2023 the band was invited to share the stage with the Cape Town Philharmonic Wind Ensemble. Most Concert Band members belong to the SACS Marching Band, which provides a dignified display at the annual SACS Commemoration and Founders Day celebrations, a proud and long-cherished tradition remembering those who fell when the world was at war.

In 1993, the Concert Band embarked on its very first European Tour under the baton of Ian Smith. In 2017, the band embarked on its second international tour, under the baton of Levi Alexander, to compete in the prestigious competition of the Mid Europe Wind Band Festival in Schladming, Austria.

Participated: 2017, 2024
Country: ZA

South African College High School Concert Band

Levi Alexander

Conductor: Levi Alexander

LEVI ALEXANDER (MMus (c.l.) Cho. Cond. (US), BMus Sax Perf (UCT), PGCE Music (Rhodes), LTCL (Sax)) is currently the Departmental Head of Music at the SACS High School. He fills the roles of Concert Band and Marching Band Director. The SACS Concert Band participated in the Mid Europe Wind Band Festival in Schladming, Austria, where they competed in the top international wind band competition in 2017. They look forward to competiting again in 2024.

He is also the Director of the Symphony Choir of Cape and holds a cum laude Masters Degree in Music specialising in Choral Conducting from Stellenbosch University which he attained under the mentorship of Dr Martin Berger. His thesis addressed the “Plight of Anglican Music in the Western Cape” through three case studies. He is an alumnus of the Hugo Lambrechts Music Centre, thereafter attaining a Bachelor’s Degree of Music in baritone saxophone performance and conducting at the South African College of Music (UCT). He completed his Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Rhodes) specialising in High School Creative Arts and Music Education.

He taught classical saxophone at the Cape Philharmonic Youth Music Academy, Beau Soleil Music Centre, University of the Western Cape – Centre of the Performing Arts. He currently teaches saxophone at the University of Cape Town – South African College of Music.

He was the student assistant conductor of the University of Cape Town Symphonic Wind Band and Symphony Orchestra, assistant conductor of the Beau Soleil Senior Wind Band, resident conductor of the University of the Western Cape Symphonic Wind Orchestra and the assistant conductor of the Symphony Choir of Cape Town. He has worked extensively with the Stellenbosch University Schola Cantorum Choir as a student conductor. He served as Interregnum Music Assistant at St George’s Grammar School while St George's Cathedral appointed their new music director in 2013. He also conducts and directs The Royal Crusaders Christmas Band (since 2006), a community marching band based in Bellville and was appointed the Director of Music of the Peninsula and District Christmas Bands Union (2010-2013).