It was a night where the Odeion School of Music (OSM) had its finest and best talent on the stage. The OSM Dean’s Gala Concert 2019 delivered a spectacular show on Friday 5 April 2019.

“I am deeply honoured to have the dean’s office associated with this concert. The work done by OSM counts amongst the best in the Faculty. The staff and students of the Odeion and the Camerata are known for having received many awards and accolades over the last couple of years,” said Prof Heidi Hudson, Dean of the Faculty of The Humanities. The OSM also ensures that a vibrant concert culture is maintained. 

“I want to recognise the work done by educators not only at school level and tertiary level. Through music education the human soul is developed and preserved, which reminds us why arts and humanities are essential in pursuit of knowledge,” she said.

Heinrich Armer, former lecturer at the OSM was awarded the Order of The Odeion School of Music for his contribution to music.

“The concert is also a benefit concert for potential funders to see the talent the OSM has to offer,” said Marius Coetzee, Innovation Manager at the OSM. The main reasons for the concert is twofold; firstly to create a professional performance for the gifted OSM students and showcase their excellence. For some students it will be their debut performance. Secondly, it is to raise funds for bursaries and funding of future OSM students.”

The programme line-up showcased the best of the OSM with performances from the OSM Camerata conducted by Elsabe Raath, The Free State Wind Ensemble conducted by Danre Strydom, and Naledi Dweba (clarinet) with Anneke Lamont (Piano) among others. 

Steve Reich’s Clapping Music was also amusingly performed by Misumzi Bottoman, Heinrich Lategan and Marlou Strydom. Charity Leburu and Mirriam Bokala were the sopranos and were both accompanied by Margot Viljoen on the piano.