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International opera singer and UFS lecturer earns PhD in Vocal Studies

07 December 2023 | Story Anthony Mthembu | Photo SUPPLIED

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

Neonatal Care Unit receives donation to expand capacity

2015-10-28

With the best care and technology available,
the survival rate of premature
babies is about 85%. The neonatal intensive
care unit at the Universitas hospital can now
expand its capacity thanks to a donation of
R1 million by the Discovery fund.
From the left is Prof André Venter.
Head: Department of Paediatrics and
Child Health at the UFS, and mrs Ruth Lewin,
Head: Corporate Sustainability at Discovery.

The smallest people need the greatest care. This care is being provided by the neonatal unit in the Children’s Wing of the Universitas Hospital. This project of the University of the Free State (UFS), under the leadership of Prof Andre Venter, has led to several miracles regarding child health since its inception.

Now, thanks to a donation of R1 million rand from the Discovery fund, this unit can expand its capacity and treat more premature babies.

About 14% of babies in South Africa are born before the 37th week of pregnancy. These babies are born with a very low birth weight, and are in need of critical care. The neonatal intensive-care unit at Universitas Hospital is currently equipped to take care of about 14 premature babies at a time, from birth to discharge. However, because of the high incidence of premature births in the hospital’s service area, the unit needs about 45 beds.

The aim of the Children’s Wing Project is to expand the neonatal intensive-care unit in order to meet the demands of the hospital’s service area, which reaches as far as the Southern Cape. The Discovery Fund recently donated R1 million to the project, which will be used to expand the capacity of the neonatal intensive-care unit.

“With the best care and technology available, the survival rate of premature babies is about 85%. Without this, half of all premature babies would die,” says Prof Venter, Head: Department of Paediatrics and Child Health at the UFS.

“This is the reason why private and public partnerships, such as the one with Discovery, are essential to make specialised services available to the most vulnerable people. Discovery has made a significant contribution to the project without which we would not have been able to expand the capacity of the unit

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