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07 December 2023 | Story Anthony Mthembu | Photo SUPPLIED
Albertus Engelbrecht
Albertus Engelbrecht: Lecturer in Singing and Coordinator of Vocal Studies at the Odeion School of Music.

The University of the Free State (UFS) is gearing up to honour a new group of graduates during the upcoming graduation ceremonies on 7-8 December 2023. Among the distinguished individuals set to grace the stage is Albertus Engelbrecht, Coordinator of Vocal Studies at the Odeion School of Music and an internationally recognised opera singer with a career spanning over two decades.

Engelbrecht has achieved a significant milestone, completing his PhD thesis titled “The Journey of a Versatile Singer”. On 7 December 2023, he will formally receive his qualification, marking the culmination of a seven-year academic journey. Reflecting on this achievement, Engelbrecht expressed his relief, stating, “It’s all still so surreal, but I think that the moment I walk onto that stage, then, will it only sink in.’’  

The journey of a versatile singer

His thesis is an auto-ethnographic study that delves into the preparation and performance of five different styles and genres of Western art music. This unique approach includes a practical component, as he actively participated in five different concerts or performances, ultimately contributing to his research. He shared his motivation, stating, ‘’I was investigating how it would be possible to sing different kinds of Western art music styles and genres. The idea came from my professional experience, where I found that to become a successful opera and concert singer, it’s better for one to be able to do different styles and genres.’’  

Looking ahead, Engelbrecht envisions his research making a meaningful impact on the development of emerging singers. He aspires to shape the future of vocal education, stating, “I hope that my contribution leads to new knowledge not only for singers but for their teachers and vocal coaches. This is so that they can approach music in the way it is written, and to find ways which make the music speak the best way it can. In this way, singers can be more versatile.’’  

Future plans

Post-graduation, Engelbrecht has ambitious plans to further his growth within the industry. Expressing his goals, he said, ‘’I would like to grow not just as a performing artist but as a researcher too.” Currently collaborating with his former supervisor on a research project focusing on performance analysis, Engelbrecht aims to delve deeper into the research aspect of his profession. Additionally, as a Lecturer of Singing at the UFS, he looks forward to engaging in more performing projects with his students.

In recognition of Albertus Engelbrecht’s remarkable achievement, the UFS community congratulates him on this significant milestone. His dedication to the field of vocal studies and commitment to fostering versatility in music is truly commendable. 

News Archive

UFS praised for hosting international research development programme
2013-03-05

 

At the farewell function were, from the left: Dr GansenPillay (deputy executive officer of the NRF), Emile Goofo (Cameroon), his son Tylio in the arms of Prof Nicky Morgan (Vice-Rector: Operations), Avelino Mondhane from Stockholm University (originally from Mozambique) and Prof Neil Heideman (Dean of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences).
Photo: Leatitia Pienaar
05 March 2013

“I must congratulate the University of the Free State on doing something like this,” Dr Gansen Pillay said at the farewell function for the participants in the Southern African Young Scientists Summer Programme (SA-YSSP) at the UFS.

The 19 young scientists from 16 countries completed their three-month programme at the end of February 2013. As another step in the process the participants must write articles for reputable journals and complete their doctoral studies. Their performance in the research world will also be tracked.

Dr Pillay, deputy executive officer of the National Research Foundation (NRF), said an investment was made in the researchers to secure the future of the programme. A lot of persuasion and proof was necessary to convince the Austrian Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) that a programme of this nature could be presented in Africa.

The SA-YSSP was hosted and managed by the UFS. The programme was developed by the NRF in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and IIASA into a novel and innovative initiative.  The official launch was by the Minister of Science and Technology during November 2011.

The SA-YSSP will be an annual three-month education, academic training and research capacity-building programme. Aligned with the YSSP model, annually presented in Austria, the SA-YSSP offered scientific seminars covering themes in the social and natural sciences, often with policy dimensions, to broaden the participants’ perspectives and strengthen their analytical and modelling skills, further enriching a demanding academic and research programme.

Prof Martin Mtwaeaborwa, SA-YSSP deputy dean, said the academic performance of the young scientists superseded the expectations. “I hope the scholars will look back at the programme as the moment their careers began.”

The added, “The UFS received positive remarks for organising the programme and we hope to get it again in future.”

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