South African born Roucher du Toit grew up in the university town of Stellenbosch and started playing piano at the age of four.

He soon developed into a skilled improviser, especially in the styles of the well-known composers, excelling at six-part fugues.

Before the age of 10, Roucher broadcast as boy soprano and played his first piano recital. While studying piano and organ with his mother he won five University of South Africa (Unisa) bursaries.

Roucher du Toit is the principal organist of the “Groote Kerk”, the oldest church in Cape Town and also with the biggest pipe organ in South Africa.

He is well-known as teacher of organ, piano, singing and improvisation. He conducts the Groote Kerk Camerata, a chamber orchestra, and gives concerts worldwide.

With 5 UNISA music scholarships, Roucher studied at the Royal College of Music in London where he obtain his A.R.C.M. (Associate Certificate) at the age of 19 and the Salzburg Mozarteum in Salzburg.

At 15, he made his piano soloist debut with the Cape Town Symphony Orchestra.

Published 19 August 2013