Our Music Our Pride

Music Director & Choir Conductor | Capricorn Chorus

Mr Timothy Matlala

Music Director & Choir Conductor | Capricorn Chorus

Timothy Matlala is a South African musician, choral conductor and accomplished bass-baritone whose musical journey spans opera, classical vocal performance, choral music and music development.

Born and raised in Polokwane, Limpopo, Timothy developed his passion for music from an early age and went on to receive vocal training and mentorship from several distinguished musicians, including renowned South African vocal coach Liz Lombard, Belgium-based tenor and vocal pedagogue Laurence Dale, and Thami Zungu.

As a bass-baritone soloist, Timothy built an extensive performance career, appearing in productions presented by organisations including Opera Africa, Vundowil, Salon Music and the Brooklyn Theatre. His operatic repertoire has included a number of significant roles, among them King Dinuzulu, Ndwandwe and Inkosi Bambatha in Professor Mzilikazi Khumalo’s acclaimed opera Princess Magogo kaDinuzulu. He has also performed roles including Sparafucile in Rigoletto, Raimondo in Aida and Escamillo in Carmen.

Among his notable career highlights, Timothy appeared as a soloist at the 2008 Sowetan Massed Choir Festival. In 2011, he performed the role of Legal Counsel in the world premiere of Bongani Ndodana-Breen’s Winnie: The Opera at the South African State Theatre. That same year, his musical journey took him to China, where he participated as a contestant in the 5th Ningbo International Vocal Competition, further broadening his international exposure.

Building on his experience as a performer, Timothy progressively expanded his musical knowledge through further studies and short courses in music theory, while developing a particular passion for choral music and the development of singers. Over the years, he has been actively involved in choral music competitions and development programmes as a workshop facilitator, adjudicator, choir coach and conductor, with his work extending beyond South Africa’s borders.

Timothy has served as Music Director and Choir Conductor of Capricorn Chorus since 2017. During his tenure, the choir has experienced sustained artistic and organisational growth, accompanied by measurable success on the competitive choral music stage. Under his musical direction, Capricorn Chorus has achieved notable results at regional, provincial and national levels, progressively establishing itself as one of Limpopo’s increasingly recognised competitive choral ensembles.

Beyond competition results, Timothy’s leadership of Capricorn Chorus has focused on the progressive development of the choir’s musical standard, repertoire, discipline and performance capability. The choir’s growth over the years reflects a deliberate commitment to building a sustainable choral institution capable of developing young singers while competing at increasingly demanding levels.

For Timothy, choral music extends beyond performance and competition. Through Capricorn Chorus, he remains passionate about developing young people through music, creating opportunities for emerging talent and using the discipline of collective music-making as a platform for personal growth, confidence and community development.

His journey from the opera stage to the conductor’s podium reflects a lifelong commitment to musical excellence, artistic development and the advancement of choral music in South Africa and beyond.