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30 September 2021 | Story Marius Coetzee and Rulanzen Martin | Photo Supplied
From the left: Werner Stolze of Stolze Pianos (sponsor), Karlin Kock (Trio Con Brio), Dr Mageshen Naidoo (adjudicator – UP), Kagiso Ramosa (Trio Con Brio), Renette Bouwer (adjudicator – UJ), Maria Yasbeck (Trio Con Brio), and Prof Wessel van Wyk from UP.

The Trio Con Brio ensemble in the Odeion School of Music (OSM) was crowned winners of the open category during the final round of the national SASMT Ensemble competition, which took place on 22 September 2021.  The Trio Con Brio comprises OSM students Kagiso Ramosa (clarinet), Maria Yasbeck (violin), and Karlin Kock (piano).

OSM lecturers, Drs Danre Strydom, Sharon de Kock, and Anneke Lamont served as instructors and mentors during the preparation phase. “The trio prepared their concert programme with an interesting methodology, by having weekly instruction from all lecturers individually on a rotation basis,” says Marius Coetzee, Artistic Director of the Odeion School of Music Camerata (OSMC). Elsabé Raath serves as the principal instructor. 

The OSMC took second place in the concert programme, while the instructor of the OSM Brass Quintet, George Foster, and the convenor, Quinn Kakora, were also selected to participate in the first round of the competition. Their recital was highly ranked and came third in the first round.

 SASMT competition develops young musicians 

The first SASMT Pretoria Ensemble Competition took place in September 2017. It would be the first competition of this nature to be held in the northern region of South Africa. The goal was to create an opportunity for young musicians to compete in groups, rather than focusing on solo performances. The feedback from the initial competition was overwhelmingly positive, culminating in the decision to make it an annual event.

The competition aims to develop young musicians through collaborative participation and by encouraging the enjoyment of performing with others. Another objective is to foster understanding, love, and appreciation for ensemble music and the performance thereof among young musicians. 

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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