Marius Coetzee, Innovation and Development Manager at the Odeion School of Music, joins Yolanda Maartens to highlight what makes the OSM a unique place to study, who the ideal candidate is to apply, and the vast array of opportunities that await music students at the University of the Free State.

The OSM is dedicated to fostering excellence, internationalisation, and innovation. The OSM offers a comprehensive programme of quality academic teaching, instrumental and vocal tuition, and research in both artistic and academic spheres to deliver well-rounded professional musicians, educators and researchers.

The OSM staff comprises highly competent, committed, and experienced specialists in performance, teaching, and research, as well as an administrative component of well-qualified support personnel in academic, general and concert administration.

As part of the undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, students can specialise in performance competencies, including individual instrumental excellence, chamber music, ensembles, keyboard skills, bands and orchestras. Academica experts in African music and Ethnomusicology, Cultural musicology, Music Theory and Analysis, Composition and Arranging, Music Education, Music and Technology, Arts Management and Artistic research are preparing students for various professions.

Several ensembles in partnership with the UFS and/or OSM:
Free State Youth Orchestra
Free State Youth Wind Ensemble
Free State Symphony Orchestra
Odeion School of Music Camerata
Odeion Sinfonia
Odeion String Quartet
Odeion Choir
The City of Roses Jazz Ensemble
UFS CHOIRS

The OSM has a high priority for engaged scholarship, developmental initiatives and service learning. Lectures and students are involved in various projects as dedicated volunteers or as part of the curriculum at the Mangaung String Project, Bloemfontein Life Change Centre Music School and Dr Visser School. These projects aim to provide hope in a troubled world, alleviate poverty and uplift the community.