Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
Previous Archive
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

Missing UFS student found in Phuthaditjhaba
2014-10-16

The University of the Free State’s (UFS) Qwaqwa Campus management and students are shocked and saddened by the untimely passing away of Sinethemba Shezi (22), who was reported missing this past weekend.

His lifeless body was found this morning in the river around the area in Phuthaditjhaba where he was accosted the evening of Friday 10 October 2014 while walking to the campus with a friend.

The cause of his death is still unknown and the incident is being investigated by the South African Police Service (SAPS).

Campus Principal, Prof Prakash Naidoo, expressed his deepest sympathy to the family and friends on behalf of the university community.

“This morning we received the sad news that our student, who had gone missing, was finally found. We wish to thank all students and staff, the entire community of Phuthaditjhaba and the SAPS for their efforts. This has not been an easy week for all of us,” said Prof Naidoo.

Mr Shezi was a third-year BEd student.

A memorial service is planned on the Qwaqwa Campus for next week and funeral arrangements are expected to be announced at this event.

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept