Latest News Archive
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News Items
2019-05-31 |
The Future Is Here: Download the KovsieApp |
2019-05-31 |
The Future Is Here: Download the KovsieApp |
2019-05-30 |
#AfricaDay Memorial Lecture: African identity rooted in Ubuntu |
2019-05-30 |
#AfricaDay Memorial Lecture: African identity rooted in Ubuntu |
2019-05-30 |
Housing and Residence Affairs promotes quality accommodation for students |
2019-05-30 |
Housing and Residence Affairs promotes quality accommodation for students |
2019-05-29 |
Prof Francis Petersen addresses the National Press Club |
2019-05-29 |
Prof Francis Petersen addresses the National Press Club |
2019-05-29 |
Three Kovsies off to Netball World Cup |
2019-05-29 |
Three Kovsies off to Netball World Cup |
2019-05-29 |
Epistemic justice is crucial for a sustainable democratic future |
2019-05-29 |
Epistemic justice is crucial for a sustainable democratic future |
2019-05-29 |
‘Courts must embrace 4IR’, says Judge President Musi |
2019-05-29 |
‘Courts must embrace 4IR’, says Judge President Musi |
2019-05-28 |
Steady on the stress: Tips for fighting exam anxiety |
2019-05-28 |
Steady on the stress: Tips for fighting exam anxiety |
2019-05-28 |
Students pay it forward with meals this Africa Month |
2019-05-28 |
Students pay it forward with meals this Africa Month |
2019-05-28 |
Kovsie’s Siphila Dlamini leads 15th Southern Africa Scout Youth Forum |
2019-05-28 |
Kovsie’s Siphila Dlamini leads 15th Southern Africa Scout Youth Forum |
2019-05-28 |
Reflecting on the past, present, and future of Africa |
2019-05-28 |
Reflecting on the past, present, and future of Africa |
2019-05-27 |
Communique from the Rector and Vice-Chancellor to the University Community |
2019-05-27 |
Communique from the Rector and Vice-Chancellor to the University Community |
2019-05-24 |
Investigative journalism at the forefront at #GangsterState discussion |
2019-05-24 |
Investigative journalism at the forefront at #GangsterState discussion |
2019-06-03 |
2019 June graduations to honour master’s and doctoral degrees |
2019-06-03 |
2019 June graduations to honour master’s and doctoral degrees |
2019-05-21 |
UFS struts academic excellence at 2019 Open Day |
2019-05-21 |
UFS struts academic excellence at 2019 Open Day |
2019-05-21 |
Graduates told to uphold honourable character |
2019-05-21 |
Graduates told to uphold honourable character |
2019-05-21 |
Digital Storytelling Lab: Where stories and technology meet |
2019-05-21 |
Digital Storytelling Lab: Where stories and technology meet |
2019-05-17 |
Agribusiness Transformation Programme, empowering black emerging farmers |
2019-05-17 |
Agribusiness Transformation Programme, empowering black emerging farmers |
2019-05-14 |
Qwaqwa Campus is ready for graduations |
2019-05-14 |
Qwaqwa Campus is ready for graduations |
2019-05-13 |
Absa supports UFS students through to graduation |
2019-05-13 |
Absa supports UFS students through to graduation |
2019-05-13 |
Global body re-affirms UFS lab’s vaccine testing status |
2019-05-13 |
Global body re-affirms UFS lab’s vaccine testing status |
2019-05-13 |
Your future is here; this is the place to be, future Kovsies are told |
2019-05-13 |
Your future is here; this is the place to be, future Kovsies are told |
2019-05-09 |
More success for netballers in different competition? |
2019-05-09 |
More success for netballers in different competition? |
2019-05-07 |
UFS prioritises student well-being through Social Support Unit |
2019-05-07 |
UFS prioritises student well-being through Social Support Unit |
2019-05-07 |
Crime dialogue elicits commitment to ensure tighter security |
2019-05-07 |
Crime dialogue elicits commitment to ensure tighter security |
2019-05-06 |
Africa Month to unpack pressing topics following elections |
2019-05-06 |
Africa Month to unpack pressing topics following elections |
2019-05-06 |
Kovsie Advice: Exam edition is out |
2019-05-06 |
Kovsie Advice: Exam edition is out |
2019-05-06 |
Mr Nikile Ntsababa appointed as Registrar of the UFS |
2019-05-06 |
Mr Nikile Ntsababa appointed as Registrar of the UFS |
2019-05-06 |
The Youth Vote: Political Patronising Must Fall |
2019-05-06 |
The Youth Vote: Political Patronising Must Fall |
2019-05-03 |
Wheelchair donation allows David to pursue his athletic dream |
2019-05-03 |
Wheelchair donation allows David to pursue his athletic dream |
2019-05-03 |
Long jumper Lynique dreams big |
2019-05-03 |
Long jumper Lynique dreams big |
2019-05-03 |
Hockey coach excited about team’s chances |
2019-05-03 |
Hockey coach excited about team’s chances |
2019-05-02 |
UFS Debate Society win Jozi Rumble again! |
2019-05-02 |
UFS Debate Society win Jozi Rumble again! |
Free State University Choir wins competition in Prague
2009-12-15
This past weekend, the Free State University Choir, under the directorship of Mr Corné van Pletzen, won the Christmas Music Festival Competition in Prague in the Czech Republic. 25 choirs from amongst others Spain, Hungary, Slovakia and Russia also participated in the competition.
It is the first time in the 10 years that the Christmas Music Festival Competition is presented that an overall winner of the festival and the competition was announced.
The choir originally only participated in the festival part of the Christmas Music Festival. Later, at the end of the competition, they were asked by the judges to prepare a song for the prize-giving ceremony, not knowing that the judges were judging them for the competition.
Mr Van Pletzen said, “Finally, after all prizes had been handed out, a trumpet fanfare announced the Free State University Choir as the overall winner of the competition. Our choir was also requested to close the competition with a song; that we did, whereupon our students sang the National Anthem with pride and with tears in their eyes.
The choir’s presentation was unique as they included a great variety of songs in their programme, amongst others some of Mr Van Pletzen’s own compositions and a song from Africa, Wana Baraka.
According to Mr Van Pletzen, six of the choirs obtained more than 90% during the competition. The Free State University Choir was however overwhelmed with positive feedback on the standard of their presentation from the audience, other participating choirs as well as the judges.
Most of the 38 choir members have already been members of this choir for three years now and this is the third time that most of them are singing overseas.
They will bring home a beautiful glass trophy. |

Mr Corné van Pletzen. |