Welcome to the South African College of Music

The University of Cape Town's, music department is known internationally as the South African College of Music (SACM) and is considered to be the leading music school in South Africa.

SACM offers undergraduate and postgraduate degree and diploma programmes specialising in African and World Music, Jazz Studies, Composition, Classical Music, Opera, Music Technology and Musicology.

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African and World Music

African and World Music

African and World Music programme engages performers, composers, researchers and students in a quest for innovative African musical performance culture - one that is sensitive to Africa’s musical heritage yet contemporary in its outlook.
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Classical

The SACM provides musical training covering all aspects of the art with opportunities in solo, chamber music and ensemble performance. In addition, the SACM has prominent academic staff in music education, composition and musicology.
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Jazz

The Jazz Studies Programme, established in 1989, is South Africa's top program of its kind. It boasts the renowned UCT Big Band, performing at esteemed venues nationwide. With award-winning staff, it presents public concerts and festivals.
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Opera UCT

Opera UCT is widely recognised as a leader in the transformation of opera, offering comprehensive operatic training. Students gain practical experience through professional performances, including those at the Baxter and Artscape Theatres.
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More about us

The College staff includes some of the foremost and internationally acclaimed performing artists, academics and composers; our graduates continue to dominate the arenas of performance and academia.

Some of our alumni include: singers Pumeza Matshikza, Golda Schultz, Filipa van Eck, Sarah-Jane Brandon, Musa Ngqungwana, Levy Sekgapane and Pretty Yende, who are enjoying great success in the field of Opera around the world; Selaelo Selota and Jimmy Dludlu (jazz guitar), Darren English (jazz trumpet) and Vuyo Sotashe (jazz vocalist) are playing the jazz scene internationally; pianist James Baillieu is now Professor of Piano Accompaniment and Vocal Repertoire at the Royal Academy of Music in London, and is in demand as a performer around Europe, Asia and the USA.

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uVuyo Music and Dance in Motion

The South African College of Music and the Centre for Theatre, Dance and Performance Studies at the University of Cape Town collaborate to bring you uVuyo – Music and Dance in Motion. With a diverse range of dance styles.
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Upcoming Events

UCT Symphonic Wind Ensemble

8 October 2024
(Ends 8 October 2024)
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The UCT Symphonic Wind Ensemble, comprising of about forty-five under- and post-graduate students perform their second concert of 2024, conducted by Brandon Phillips.
8 October 2024
(Ends 8 October 2024)
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2024 UCT Strings Competition Finals

11 October 2024
(Ends 11 October 2024)
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The UCT Strings Competition hopes to bring together communities to witness wonderful performances by gifted artists with a bright future ahead of them at the beginning of their careers.
11 October 2024
(Ends 11 October 2024)
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Bamako

18 October 2024
(Ends 18 October 2024)
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Immerse yourself in the sounds of Bamako, an evening of kora and balafon music presented by the UCT Ibuyambo Orchestra in collaboration with Malian musician Daouda Dao.
18 October 2024
(Ends 18 October 2024)
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UCT Symphony Orchestra

22 October 2024
(Ends 22 October 2024)
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UCT Symphony Orchestra performs the premiere of an overture titled “Ukuthwasa” composed by student composer James Geldenhuys. UCT’s Gerhard Joubert performs Chopin Piano Concerto No. 1 and the concert ends with Brahms Symphony No. 3.
22 October 2024
(Ends 22 October 2024)
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Laura Searle Prize for Piano Concerto Playing

25 October 2024
(Ends 25 October 2024)
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The 21st edition of the Laura Searle Prize for Piano Concerto Playing, which is open to all piano students of the SACM. Part of the prize is the perform with the UCT Symphony Orchestra next year.
25 October 2024
(Ends 25 October 2024)
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