Free State
Youth
Orchestras

The Free State Youth Orchestra (FSYO) is a key component of the FSSO Company. It acts as feeder orchestra for the FSSO and is an essential element of the music-educational pipeline. Its membership comprises senior learners as well as university students. Normally it rehearses every week and presents about two concerts per year. The FSYO also has other activities such as weekend ‘camps’ and tours.

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The Music Education Pipeline

The original Free State Symphony Orchestra (FSSO) was established in 1974 through a collaborative initiative between the University of the Free State (UFS), the Department of Education of the Free State Provincial Government and Pacofs. Together these parties instituted a high-quality, three-tiered music-training structure for young musicians.

In addition to playing in junior and senior youth orchestras of the then Provincial Department of Education’s Musicon and in UFS student ensembles, the most gifted high-school learners and university students played in the Free State symphony orchestra (then managed by Pacofs), alongside their teachers, professors and other highly-qualified professional musicians/mentors. Many of these young musicians went on to become professional musicians and teachers in South Africa and internationally.

Educational Objectives from 2003

In 2003 the FSSO was publicly re-launched, mainly with the support of the University of the Free State. It is a registered public benefit organisation (BPO) with Section 18A status, sustaining a symphony orchestra and a music-educational pipeline which provides orchestral development opportunities for young musicians and students from all communities.

The Free State Symphony Orchestra Company (FSSOC) operates a comprehensive, vertically integrated music-education pipeline that addresses the learning, training, and developmental needs of young musicians through structured engagement in both professional symphony concert cycles and youth orchestra performances.

The professional core of the FSSO comprises music lecturers from the University of the Free State (UFS) and experienced music educators from the community. This core is complemented by professionals from around the country, and by the province’s most talented young instrumentalists—school learners and university students—whose participation is essential to the orchestra’s artistic and operational capacity.

The FSSO works in close partnership with the UFS Odeion School of Music and Odeion String Quartet, as well as with regional music-education initiatives including high-school programmes, the Musicon, the Mangaung Strings Programme, and the Bochabela String Orchestra. These partnerships ensure a continuous flow of developing musicians into structured orchestral training.

Pipeline Structure

Phase One: Sinfonietta

The Sinfonietta introduces primary, secondary, and tertiary-level musicians to structured ensemble training in a full symphonic context, accommodating a wide range of technical abilities.

Phase Two: Free State Youth Orchestra (FSYO)

The FSYO consists primarily of advanced high-school and university-level musicians. Players develop orchestral technique, repertoire knowledge, discipline, teamwork, leadership, and professional rehearsal and performance etiquette.

Phase Three: FSSO Cadet Programme

Outstanding students progress to the FSSO Cadet Programme, participating in professional symphony concerts alongside their educators and mentors under professional conductors. Cadet participation is individually structured to maximise developmental impact. The FSSO typically presents up to eight symphony concerts annually, each providing substantial performance exposure for young musicians. The orchestra’s symphonic activity is dependent on this sustained youth participation.

Training Outcomes

  • Extensive learning and high-level performance opportunities;
  • Direct exposure to professional rehearsal and concert environments;
  • Preparation for auditions, professional appointments, and tertiary music study locally and internationally; and
  • Transferable skills including discipline, collaboration, leadership, and professional responsibility.

Cadet Programme: Operational Framework

Access to Repertoire

Cadets receive access to concert repertoire no later than six weeks before performances. Bowings are issued approximately one month prior, with materials shared digitally. Where available, students may access repertoire via IMSLP once season programmes are announced.

Auditions and Selection

Cadets are selected through video auditions submitted approximately two weeks before each concert. FSSO management determines cadet numbers based on artistic requirements, while the Educational Committee oversees selection to ensure broad participation across the year. Auditions are based on designated excerpts for works chosen by the students, and cadets may perform only the works for which they audition. Final participation remains subject to the conductor’s assessment during rehearsals.

Remuneration

Cadet participation is unpaid and constitutes a structured educational experience within a professional orchestra. Cadets may audition for paid FSSO positions and, if successful, may be engaged at student or tutti rates.