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18 September 2018 Photo Hanno Otto
Consecutive international win for OSM Camerata
The OSM Camerata is once again a winner, sharing the first prize in the Ictus International Music Competition with the Oklahoma State University.

If Einstein’s string theory had a musical undertone, one would think it is because of the sweet melodies of the Odeion School of Music Cameratas’ (OSMC) violins and cellos. It should therefore come as no surprise that OSMC won the 2018 International Ictus Music Competition, again. The ensemble has been paving the way to numerous successes since its inception in 2012.

This year, however, the OSMC is sharing the first prize with the Oklahoma State University Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Dr Thomas Dickey. The OSMC’s competition recital for 2018 was conducted by principle conductor, Xavier Cloete. Acclaimed violist Elsabé Raath, joined the OSMC artistic team in 2017 as string clinician.

OSMC the jewel in crown

The OSMC is based at the Odeion School of Music (OSM) at the University of the Free State UFS) and was strategically founded as the OSM’s flagship ensemble with the main objective, creating a catalyst for excellence. “From a pedagogical perspective, it serves as a feasible incubator to nurture fully-rounded musicians who are thoroughly prepared for the demands of their trade as orchestral musicians, soloists and conductors,” said Marius Coetzee founder of the OSMC.

“Ms Raath also made her debut as conductor during the 2018 Ictus Music Competition where she conducted O Sacrum Convivium by Olivier Messiaen,” said Coetzee, founder of the OSMC. Elsabé was also conductor during the 2018 Ictus Music competition.

The OSMC’s concert programme for Ictus 2018 also consisted of works by Jacobus Gallus/Lance Phillip, Béla Bartók, Peteris Vasks/Keith Moss, as well as Johann Sebastian Bach.

Ictus an ideal platform

The Ictus International Music Competition is an online music competition for wind bands, orchestras and solo trumpet. It has been described by David Bilger of the Philadelphia Orchestra as “democratising music competitions”. Ictus was founded to make international music competitions more accessible though eliminating prohibitive travel costs, conference fees and visa issues. This was made possible through having the application and adjudication take place online only. 

You can listen to OMSC Ictus submissions here:

Duo Seraphim Jabobus Gallus/Lance Phillip
Romanian Folk Dances/ Román népi táncok Béla Bartók
Kekatu Dziesma (Carnival Song) Peteris Vasks/Keith Moss

News Archive

Autumn graduation a huge success
2012-04-04

 

Proud academics celebrate their child's achievement.
Salomé Naudé received her B.Med.Sc-degree. Her parents are Prof. Jacobus Naudé and Prof. Cynthia Miller-Naudé. (Senior Professors from the Department of Classical and Near Eastern Studies.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs
2 April 2012


The University of the Free State (UFS) hosted its autumn graduation ceremony on the Bloemfontein Campus last week where the most diplomas, certificates and degrees were awarded at eight different ceremonies in the Callie Human Centre.
A total of 629 diplomas and certificates and 2856 degrees were awarded from Tuesday 27 March 2012 to Friday 30 March 2012.

“Use your degree to improve the lives of people. Do justice,” Prof. Jonathan Jansen, UFS Vice-Chancellor and Rector, encouraged the graduates.

“People know it as a university that chooses restoration over revenge and forgiveness over vengeance.”
Mr. Roland Rudd, a Kovsie alumnus, told students that their blood, sweat and tears had paid off.

Mr. Rudd is a former education student who recently was named the Best Secondary Teacher in the Western Cape.
A highlight of the autumn graduation was when Natalie Jordaan received a standing ovation during the ceremony for the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. She is the first Deaf student in the history of the university to receive her degree. Natalie’s first language is Sign Language.
Marina Viljoen, a recipient of one of the university’s 12 Dean’s Medals, also received nine awards at the Faculty of Law’s prize giving ceremony. She was awarded the degree LL.B. (summa cum laude).
Johané Nienkemper (B.Sc. Hons.) received the Senate’s Medal and Prize as the best honours student at the UFS, as well as the Dean’s Medal as the best honours student in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.

Potella Sibongile, a Xhosa imbongi (praise singer) and UFS student received his degree in B.Com.Financial Administration. Potella delivered a praise poem to the graduates before they received their degrees, saying they “will now receive a new birth certificate”.

Master’s degrees and doctorates will be conferred at the Bloemfontein Campus on Thursday 14 June 2012.

The graduation ceremony of the Qwaqwa Campus will take place on 12 May 2012. Diplomas/certificates, degrees and doctorates will be awarded during the ceremony.
 

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