The Odeion School of Music (OSM) on the main campus of the University of the Free State (UFS) continues its revolution of producing musical experts of the highest standard.
This effort now sees the institute offering two new qualifications: the advanced diploma in Opera Studies and the postgraduate diploma in Music Performance.
As forerunners to this, the institution introduced the higher certificate in Music Performance in 2017, and a restructured diploma in Music in 2018.
These programmes were designed to admit students without the necessary admission requirements for degree studies and subsequently develop their skills in that regard.
Dr Anchen Froneman, programme director and senior lecturer at the OSM, said that these programmes introduced during previous years had attracted a high number of talented vocalists and late developing instrumentalists.
“Many students in these programmes were already in their 20s, but through these programmes could develop their inherent talents and passions. Upon finishing the diploma in Music, students could then enter a degree qualification in music studies,” explained Froneman.
“However, the degree programmes are academically oriented, while the higher certificate in Music Performance and diploma in Music are vocational in nature.
“This disjunction led to the design of the advanced diploma in Opera Studies to provide a programme through which the students can access a NQF 7 level qualification in a shorter time than the current existing route through the degree programmes, which requires another three or four years of study.”
The postgraduate diploma in Music Performance is a one-year qualification, but has dual aims.
Firstly, the programme will add to the offerings of the UFS that aims to widen access to tertiary education, especially considering the linear progression within vertical articulation possibilities from the higher certificate in Music Performance to the diploma in Music, followed by the advanced diploma in Opera Studies that can eventually lead to the PGDip (Music Performance).
Secondly, this qualification is partly directed at individuals with active careers in the music industry, which could involve both the public and private sector, who wish to advance performance skills and research ability.
Froneman said the qualification design aimed at making a positive contribution towards expanding existing career opportunities for individuals.
The application process for the new programmes are now open and will close on 30 September.
Classes for these courses are set to commence in February 2024.
