Walter Swanson was born in England and showed musical promise from an early age. He mastered piano, violin and organ as well as becoming an accomplished choral trainer.

By the age of 19, he was the Assistant Musical Director of the D’Oyly CarteOpera Company and was responsible for training and conducting the touring company as it presented the Savoy Operas (the works of Gilbert
and Sullivan, e.g. Pirates of Penzance) throughout the United Kingdom. He
came to South Africa to join the South African Broadcasting Corporation
with which he was involved for many years, including working with its
standing orchestra. His work took him all over South Africa as well as
Rhodesia.

He was a highly respected composer as well as a performer. Indeed, so well-thought-of was he, that he was one of about five composers invited to put Langenhoven’s words of Die Stem, which became the old South African anthem, to music. Although the setting by de Villiers was chosen, it was a signal honour for an Englishman to have received such an invitation. Walter Swanson had a life-long involvement in the promotion of music in schools and in this he was ably supported by his second wife, Marjorie herself
a music teacher. Swanson was for many years the Music Director of the Cape Town Gilbert and Sullivan Society. He came to the notice of Mr Doug Brown, legendary SACS master, who asked him for help with a Gilbert and Sullivan production and so began the long and highly successful Swanson-SACS co-operation. Towards the end of his life, due to conduct a performance of The Pirates of Penzance at SACS, he suffered a serious heart ailment. His doctor ordered him to bed, pending an operation. Walter Swanson’s response was, paraphrased, as his language could sometimes be colourful, “The operation will have to wait. I am conducting Pirates at SACS”. And conduct he did, albeit sitting down, trademark cigar in mouth! It was highly successful.

As a pioneer within his contribution to SACS and SACS Music, Swanson was commemorated by the SACS Music Department with a Memorial Concert. The proceeds from that form the capital from which the Walter Swanson Music Bursary is funded. It is for that, which boys compete during this evening’s performance. It is a fitting tribute to an extraordinary man, a consummate musician and a great friend to SACS Music.