Unisa online - Unisa appoints a new organist

Unisa has appointed Mr Ockie Vermeulen as the new organist and curator of the Rieger Organ. He holds a Unisa licentiate for church organists and is the recipient of the prestigious Stephanus Zondagh Overseas Scholarship after passing the Unisa Organ Performer’s Licentiate with distinction. Since he played these organ examinations on the Rieger Organ in the ZK Matthews Great Hall, he is familiar with all the technical and mechanical aspects of this magnificent instrument

Ockie Vermeulen (organist) graduated from high school with seven distinctions and received an award for best performing artist as well as a prize for most promising organ student at the University of South Africa’s first organ academy. After completing a BCom degree, he then enrolled for the degree in music at the University of Pretoria where he studied organ and harpsichord with Dr Wim Viljoen. In those years, he passed Unisa’s final organ exam, the Royal Schools of Music’s Advanced Certificate, Unisa’s licentiate for church organists, the diploma for church organists as well as his BMus degree, all with distinction.

After receiving several bursaries and scholarships in his undergraduate studies at the University of Pretoria, he also received the prestigious Fulbright scholarship which enabled him to further his studies abroad. He consequently did his Master of Music degree in Organ Performance under Dr Jesse Eschbach at the University of North Texas from 2002 to 2004. He gave several concerts during that time in Dallas, Denton, Albany and Tulsa, to name a few.

He was also appointed as Early Music Accompanist of the music department and received an organ stipend every year. After graduating, he returned to South Africa to further his career.

At the end of 2004, he received the Stephanus Zondagh Overseas Scholarship after having been invited to participate in Unisa’s overseas music scholarship competition when he passed his Performer’s Licentiate with distinction.

Ockie is an active concert organist and regularly performs with several orchestras, including the Chamber Orchestra of South Africa. He is also a sought after music arranger and has several CD recordings to his name. His recent organ CD, “Highland Cathedral”, has been met with critical acclaim and has topped the South African charts for more than 50 consecutive weeks.

He teaches music at the Pretoria High School for Boys and is the organist of the NG Kerk Pretoria East.