ABOUT THE CHOIR

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The Odeion Choir is an ensemble of the Odeion School of Music, at the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein.

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The Choir has existed since 2009, and serves principally as the academic instrument for the various undergraduate and postgraduate choral conducting modules. In the interests of imparting professional values to its members, the Odeion Choir performs a fair amount of repertoire annually (typically between 80 & 100 works), and members are therefore expected to take responsibility for learning music independently. The Odeion Choir is the only South African choir to offer its members free singing tuition, and there are ample opportunities for solo singing during the year.

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The Odeion School of Music enjoys formal links with the. The Odeion Choir’s principal training exists in the form of weekly Choral Evensong, sung in the City’s Anglican Cathedral, an iconic example of religious architecture dedicated in 1863. This follows an established collegiate model, in the interests of striving to achieve the University’s aim of internationalisation. In addition, the choir performs two or three concerts annually. As part of a University music department, the Odeion Choir is afforded the opportunity of collaborating with instrumental forces on occasion.

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The Odeion Vocal Consort, constituted of more experienced members of the Odeion Choir, performs one or two concerts annually. The repertoire of this ensemble includes vocal chamber music from the Renaissance and baroque eras, as well as 21st century works, at one/two voices per part.

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The Choir’s repertoire ranges from medieval plainchant to music of the 21st century, and includes both sacred and secular compositions. The Odeion Choir consists of about 18 members. At present, the director of music is Lance Phillip, the assistant conductor is Werner Stander, and the organist is Lourie Coetzee.