Our Musical Director

Hannalie Bekker-van der Merwe

Conductor directing choir at performance

 Hannalie was born in South Africa to the late Reverend Ernst van der Berg and Jean de Villiers. Her Bachelors in Music Honours degree being completed at Pretoria University with her first instrument being the ‘Church Organ’ and 'Piano’ being her second. Hannalie also completed a (M-Mus) Masters in Music Philosophy & Education in 1989.

 After completing her education Hannalie embarked on her highly successful career now spanning over 23 years in music, education and the media (Radio and Television). Amongst her positions, she worked at the SABC (South African Broadcasting Corporation) as Music Producer recording mainly the SABC and National Orchestras, overseas artists, local artists and distinguished choirs. She was also appointed as the assistant conductor of the SABC choir. From 1978 she presented, scripted, produced, edited and compiled music programme series and educational programmes such as: A children’s Educational Programme (3-7 age group) written, produced and broadcast every evening for 4 years; ‘Ateljee Tikkel Tokkel (an all ages programme series) a series of 16 programmes with the duration of 45 to 50 minutes consisting of workshops where musical instruments (tuned and non-tuned) were demonstrated and made. 

In 1997, Hannalie came to settle in Chandlers’ Ford and was soon offered the position of Vocal Coach and Choir Director at Toynbee School. Her enthusiasm, high motivation, determination and sincere dedication to education were evident and highly appreciated: Thornden School approached her and offered her the same position at Thornden School, which she accepted and joined the school in 1999.

Since then Hannalie has established and maintained a vocal school at Thornden as well as tutoring piano and keyboard. She co-founded TOMS (Thornden Operatic and Musical Society) and her first production as Musical Director, Les Miserables in 2004 was performed for the opening of the New Concert Hall at Thornden School.

Since then she has directed annual musicals: Follies, Joseph and Fiddler on the Roof  in which she had the unforeseen responsibilities of Director and Musical Director, a valuable challenge and experience to which she undertook with her unstoppable enthusiasm. 

At Thornden School, she conducted several Senior and Junior Girls’ vocal ensembles and a Girls’ Choir (Thornden Singers) who in the past have undertaken several concert tours to France and Spain: and a boys ensemble. Apart from voice training she also teaches piano and keyboard. Hannalie also conducted annual workships for the six feeder schools and community with her T-Sing (Thornden Sings) programme.

In 2009, Hannalie formed the Thornden Community Choir and we are so pleased to have such a talented, dynamic Musical Director keeping us ‘on key and together’. 

Our Gallery

Group of people in black outfits standing in front of a Christmas tree with festive hats inside a building.
Group of six smiling women taking a selfie indoors against a brick wall background.
Our Gallery
Three women smiling and sitting, wearing colorful shirts with music notes and the phrase "Put on a happy."
Group of people sitting outdoors at a concert, holding music programs.
Choir performing on stage wearing colorful shirts, with piano and percussion instruments.
Two smiling people wearing matching orange t-shirts with musical notes and text "Put on a happy T-SING."
Choir and orchestra performing on stage in a concert hall.
A group of women and a young girl singing on stage, dressed in formal attire, with a microphone stand visible in front.
Choir singing with music books
Conductor leading a choir rehearsal with singers holding sheet music
Choir and orchestra performing on stage with audience
Group of women in colorful t-shirts with musical notes and the phrase "Put on a happy face"
Two women smiling with music sheets, wearing t-shirts with 'Put on a happy face and sing' slogan.
Two women in formal black dresses singing into a microphone on stage.
Choir performing on stage with conductor and pianist
Group of women sitting in a row at an indoor event, smiling and holding papers
Group photo of smiling people, mostly women, seated indoors with papers, in casual clothing.
Choir and orchestra performing in Christmas hats
Choir performing in a cathedral
Three women sitting on a wooden bench, smiling, wearing black jackets, with ornate wooden carvings in the background.
Group of six women smiling, wearing colorful t-shirts with music notes and the text "Put on a happy". Background features a dark curtain.
A woman in a blue patterned dress singing into a microphone on stage, with two other women in the background.
A choir group in colorful T-shirts performing with microphones and instruments in a hall; brick wall background.
Group of six women sitting against a brick wall, wearing festive sweaters in a black and white photograph.
A choir of people singing with sheet music in hand, wearing matching black outfits, against a brick wall.
Four people holding large green wreaths indoors during a workshop.
Orchestra and choir performing in concert hall
Five people posing for a group photo indoors, with three holding books.
Group of seven women sitting in front of blue curtains, wearing colorful t-shirts, smiling.
A choir of women in colorful t-shirts standing on risers in a brick-walled room, holding black binders.
Group of people wearing festive, novelty glasses with holiday-themed decorations, smiling and posing for a photo indoors.
Choir performance with Christmas hats and audience in theater
Choir of women and girls singing on stage, with a microphone in front.
Person laughing while holding a cocktail in a festive setting, wearing a holiday sweater.
Group of women smiling, wearing colorful t-shirts, holding folders, standing in a hallway.
Group of six women smiling and wearing colorful shirts with a musical note design, standing and sitting indoors in front of a curtain and a door with posted notices.
Two women smiling, wearing black shirts with sparkly scarves, standing indoors with a group of people in the background.
Group of women posing and smiling indoors, some seated and some standing, with notebooks and a curtain in the background.