Franco Prinsloo
Composer & conductor
Franco Prinsloo (1987-), an internationally acclaimed and accomplished composer and conductor hailing from Pretoria, South Africa, has garnered acclaim for his award-winning contributions to contemporary classical music globally. Specialising in choral and vocal compositions, and music for theatre and dance, Prinsloo has demonstrated a mastery of diverse musical styles.
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Prinsloo is also the Group CEO of the FPP Group, which includes the Vox Chamber Choir. As the Artistic Director, he ensures that the entire group maintains the highest standards of artistic excellence and innovation. He studied music at the North-West University, Potchefstroom campus. Prinsloo earned his Fellowship in Music (FLCM) from the London College of Music, University of West London, in Composition. This qualification was awarded with distinction, with a score of 100%. The examiner was highly impressed with the portfolio he submitted for examination, consisting of his Easter oratorio “Kruis van Liefde”.
​In addition to his various creative pursuits, Prinsloo is the founder and conductor of the Vox Chamber Choir, an internationally acclaimed ensemble based in Pretoria, South Africa, founded in 2017. Dedicated solely to bringing his music to life, this choir is also committed to producing professional recordings and performances of Prinsloo’s choral works and further developing South African choral music within the broader classical music scene both nationally and internationally. The choir consists of forty highly skilled and experienced choristers, each handpicked by Prinsloo. The Vox Chamber Choir has toured locally and internationally and won two gold medals at Interkultur competition events, including the World Choir Games in 2018 in the Championship category of Musica Contemporanea. Their albums have been released worldwide on all major digital streaming platforms and have been playlisted for various releases on Spotify.
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Nationally, Prinsloo’s works are being sung by various choirs in South Africa in the ATKV Applous Choral Competition yearly, as well as at various Eisteddfods and other choral festivals and competitions. His works have been performed by acclaimed South African choirs like the University of Stellenbosch Choir, the NWU-Puk Choir, Akustika Chamber Singers, the Tygerberg Children's Choir, the UJ Choir and more. He is also an avid composer for theatre productions as well and has been nominated for several Naledi Theatre Awards in the past.
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In 2019, he earned the prestigious ACT IMPACT AWARD for Young Professionals from the Nedbank Arts and Culture Trust in recognition of his outstanding composition skills. Further solidifying his status in the artistic community, Prinsloo was honoured with the Medal of Honour for Art by the South African Academy of Science and Art in 2023.
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In 2022, Prinsloo and the Vox Chamber Choir were nominated for two South African Music Awards (SAMA) for his Easter oratorio “Kruis van Liefde”, for “Classical Album of the Year” and “Duo/Group of the Year”. Prinsloo’s notable choral work with the Vox Chamber Choir, “Ghoera Liedere: V. Wieglied,” achieved widespread recognition, earning him an Aitsa! award for the “Best Classical Music Track of the Year” in 2023. Additionally, his album with the Vox Chamber Choir resulted in winning the SAMA for “Classical Album of the Year” for the album “Fire Beast,” featuring his original compositions. In 2024, Prinsloo and the Vox Chamber Choir again received the award for “Best Classical Music Track of the Year” at the Aitsa! Awards for his “Deurgrond” and won “Best Overall Artist of the Year” at the Afri-Indi Music Awards for their submissions of “Deurgrond” and album “Aeternum”.
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The year 2023 also marked Prinsloo’s nomination at the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTA) for “Best Original Soundtrack”, recognising his exceptional musical contributions to the Showmax original series, “Donkerbos,” with the Vox Chamber Choir. Prinsloo also received a nomination for “Best Original Soundtrack” at the KykNET Silwerskermfees for his score for the feature film “Retta Blom” in 2024. Prinsloo is the composer of the acclaimed Afrikaans television series “Nêrens Noord-Kaap - part one and two.”
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Internationally sought after, Prinsloo has received commissions from renowned choirs such as The King’s Singers and was performed in 2019 on their South African tour. His compositions resonate globally, and he regularly participates in international choral events and congresses. Notably, a selection of his music has been published internationally by Helbling Verlag in Austria and Beckenhorst Press in North America.
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Research has been conducted on Prinsloo’s music, with several articles and doctoral theses published by academics on his works. Currently, two doctoral theses are being written in various fields about his Easter Oratorio “Kruis van Liefde”. Another academic article is being published about his use of Latin in his choral compositions. Franco Prinsloo’s impact as a respected composer extends beyond the audience, stimulating further research in various disciplines up to the doctoral study level.
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Franco Prinsloo’s exceptional contributions to the field of contemporary classical music, both locally and internationally, are noteworthy. Prinsloo is a very active composer and produces a number of works yearly on commission to various choirs and ensembles worldwide. His innovative compositions and dedication to the arts have not only earned numerous prestigious awards but have also significantly enriched the cultural landscape of South Africa. His extensive list of works for choir and art song makes him a pioneer for classical music, nationally and internationally. Prinsloo’s ability to seamlessly weave diverse musical traditions into his unique style demonstrates his profound understanding and mastery of music, supporting his mission to promote excellence in the arts.
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Furthermore, Prinsloo’s leadership and vision as the founder and conductor of the internationally renowned Vox Chamber Choir underscore his commitment to the promotion of choral music. His work has brought South African music to global audiences, fostered cultural exchange, and elevated the choral music industry.​