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14 October 2019 | Story Rulanzen Martin | Photo Sonia Small
OSM Camerata
The OSM Camerata also performed at the Rector’s Concert on 6 September under direction of conductor Elsabe Raath.


The Odeion School of Music Camerata (OSMC) is one of the flagship music ensembles at the University of the Free State (UFS). Its reputation as one of the country’s top student chamber ensembles far equlas its impeccable music.

At the end of September the Camerata undertook a tour with concerts in Pretoria and Johannesburg. They held a concert in the new Javett Arts Centre at the University of Pretoria (UP) where they presented a lunch-hour concert which featured modern musical arrangements. At a gala concert, on 28 September 2019, which was hosted in the Musaion Concert hall at UP they collaborated with the UP Department of Music and the Gauteng Chamber Music Festival.  

The last leg of the tour ended at the University of the Witwatersrand Atrium on 29 September 2019. According Marius Coetzee, innovation manager at the OSM: “it is important to go on tour in order to recruit new outstanding students and to showcase the excellence of the Camerata and the Odeion School of Music.” 

The OSMC has also forged a professional internship with the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra to solidify and advance the skills of the young orchestral musicians. 

The OSMC was also the 2017 and 2018 winner of the International Ictus Music competition.  

The OSMC was strategically founded by Marius Coetzee to serve as a feasible incubator for nurturing of fully rounded musicians who are thoroughly prepared for the demands of their trade as orchestral musicians, soloists and conductors.  

News Archive

Alumni Voices heralds in festive season with Karl Jenkins production
2013-11-20

The Alumni Voices Chamber Choir, affiliated to the Alumni office of the University of the Free State, heralds in the festive season with a Christmas production with the Drakensberg Boys’ Choir.

Date: 23 and 24 November 2013
Time: 19:30 (23 November 2013)
16:00 (24 November 2013)
Venue: Odeion
Cost: R120

The production by the two choirs, under the direction of Leona Geldenhuys (Alumni Voices) and Johann van der Sandt (Drakensberg Boys’ Choir), is a compilation of new Christmas music by Karl Jenkins.

Two cycles, Stella Natalis, made up from new compositions, and Joy to the World, compiled from well-known traditional Christmas music, are combined in this production.

Stella Natalis (Star of Birth or Star of Origin) celebrates the different aspects of Christmas – Celebro – celebrations, Lullay – the sleeping child, Dona nobis pacem – message of peace, and Jubilate Deo – thanksgiving, forms part of the programme.

The part: JOY TO THE WORLD also includes traditional Christmas music. This fresh and vibrant arrangement of In dulci jubilo, Go Tell it on the Mountain, Silent Night, O Jesu so sweet, Son of Maria and The Virgin Mary had a Baby boy, all new arrangements by Karl Jenkins, promises to be an exciting experience.

This work, which conveys the Christmas message of peace, goodwill and compassion, as well as new beginnings, evokes a colour palette of sound filled with exciting musical inspiration.

The work was written for mixed choir, as well as for an optional choir suitable for children’s voices, trumpet soloist, keyboard, percussion and string ensemble.

The trumpet soloist is Paul Loeb van Zuilenburg, with Johan Cromhout as pianist. Members of the Free State Symphony Orchestra complete the picture.

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