08 September 2026
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Story Anthony Mthembu
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Photo Kaleidoscope
The Odeion String Quartet performing at the Odeion School of Music (OSM) 80th anniversary gala concert at the University of the Free State (UFS).
On an evening described as a remarkable milestone, the Odeion School of Music (OSM) at the University of the Free State (UFS) celebrated its 80th anniversary with a Gala Concert on the UFS Bloemfontein Campus on 3 September 2026.
In his opening address, Dr Jan Beukes, Artistic and Operational Head of the OSM, reflected on the progress of the school over the past eight decades. “During these 80 years, we have educated and inspired many students, continually adapting and refining our curriculum to meet the changing demands of the music world, while maintaining the highest artistic and academic standards,” he explained. Dr Beukes also credited the success of the school to its dedicated generations of staff, past and present.
Music and cheers
The evening consisted of musical compositions performed by OSM staff and students, as well as the Odeion String Quartet. In fact, the opening composition of the evening was by the Odeion String Quartet, titled Unifications. Prof Anmari van der Westhuizen-Joubert, Head of the Odeion String Quartet, expressed that the work – which was composed by the quartet itself – was in a way a dedication to the quartet.
Another standout performance of the evening was by the Afrikan Ancestral Messengers, a trio led by Dr Absolum Nkosi, Senior Lecturer at the OSM. According to Dr Nkosi, the piece was an arrangement of an existing Basotho children’s song titled Re ne re bapala, motho a wela, which translates to ‘we were playing, and a person fell’. “I played the mamogorong instrument, which was historically played by herdboys to keep themselves entertained while taking care of the family’s livestock. Therefore, the arrangement highlights the historical performance of the instrument in its traditional context and figuratively speaks of going back to our cultural heritage, including traditional African musical arts practices,” said Dr Nkosi.
Celebrating a decorated legacy
In addition to celebrating 80 years of the OSM, the evening also honoured the accomplished South African composer Prof Jeanne Zaidel-Rudolph, who was the special guest for the night. Prof Zaidel-Rudolph, who is no stranger to the school, handed over her complete archive of more than 80 original compositions to the OSM in 2025. However, this time around, she was being celebrated for the recent publication of her memoir titled, Sound me Out: A Lifetime of Music and Memories.
As part of marking this accomplishment, the audience was treated to a live conversation in which Prof Zaidel-Rudolph reflected on her memoir. She explained that the book explores some of the key moments and experiences that shaped her as an individual and a musician.
As the evening drew to a close, the OSM staff and students concluded the night with a performance of Gaudeamus Igitur, followed by a celebratory burst of confetti cannons.