Winter Nights weekend premiere

It’s always both exciting and a little bit daunting, taking on a contemporary piece of music to give the UK premiere – and even more so when the composer herself is in the audience!

Stephanie Martin attending the afternoon rehearsal
Stephanie Martin

Last weekend saw the Music department’s combination of concerts, ‘Winter Journeys, Winter Nights‘ featuring the String Sinfonia, Concert Band, Chorus, Orchestra, Cecilian Choir and Flute Choir coming together over two nights to perform seasonal works, the centrepiece of which was a marvellously colourful seasonal cantata, Winter Nights, by the Canadian composer, Stephanie Martin. This five-movement work sets a variety of poems focusing on different aspects of the winter season, from the anonymous ‘Cold is the night when when stars shine bright,’  through the fierce drama of ‘Loud rings the frozen earth’ by James Thompson, to the wonder and mystery of Cori Martin’s ‘Could it be true / Old Thomas Hardy’s tale,’ all culminating in Thomas Campion’s ‘Now winter nights enlarge.’

The piece distils a variety of colours, textures and vivid images from the cast of voices, strings and percussion, reflecting the manifold aspects of the season, and the whole cantata captures the full range of the season’s contrasts – its warmth, magic, wonder, jollity, bitterness, wildness, and revelry – bringing the different scenes to vivid life with a vibrant energy.

Stephanie talking with choir and orchestra

We were delighted to welcome Stephanie to the afternoon rehearsal – always a slightly scary moment, the first time performing a piece in front of the composer – and then to the evening performance. With warmth and generosity, Stephanie talked with the performers in the afternoon about the piece, including the three students singing the solo trio heralding the arrival of Winter; and she received a hugely enthusiastic round of applause following the performance later that evening.

Congratulations to all the performers involved across the entire weekend, and our thanks in particular to Stephanie for taking the time to stop over in Canterbury on her flight from Europe to Canada, to come to Colyer-Fergusson and be part of the event.

Enthusiastic applause greets the composer after the performance

Read the full weekend programme here (PDF).

Music at Kent as an Exchange Student: Anna Jurgan reflects

This term, visiting student from Germany Anna Jurgan has been part of the Music department; here, she reflects on the opportunities afforded by becoming involved.


Many of my most beautiful experiences during my time as an exchange student at Kent were in the music groups. I joined the Chorus and the Symphony Orchestra – the latter rather by chance: Not expecting the orchestra to have a vacancy for a percussionist, I contacted Sophie, the Music Administrator, to ask about opportunities to practise privately on university instruments. She not only offered me access to percussion instruments, but also encouraged me to join the orchestra. A bit of encouragement was needed, as it had been several years since I had played timpani or other percussion instruments in an orchestra. But the conductor Dan, my fellow percussionists Chris and Molly, and the rest of the orchestra where most welcoming and made my experience with them a pleasant one from the beginning of the term to the concert. I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to make music with this group and to have found my way back to orchestral percussion through them.

Even more than the orchestra, I enjoyed being part of the choir. There I got to know other (mostly alto) singers, many belonging to other generations and living in and around Canterbury. Therefore, I experienced the weekly rehearsals as moments in which I could leave the ‘student bubble’ for a bit and meet persons I would hardly have met otherwise as a short-term exchange student. Another aspect that made me look forward to each rehearsal was the music itself: We were rehearsing Stephanie Martin’s Winter Nights for its UK premiere at the December concert. I had never heard this wonderful piece before, and I doubt I would have come to know and love it if it hadn’t been for the choir.

So now, as I leave Kent and its music groups after the exchange term, I take with me many fond memories of my fellow musicians and the music we have made together.

Anna Jurgan

Overseas student Ricky Chan on joining musical life at Kent

Thanks to the support of the Barry Wright Legacy, a generous bequest left to the Music department specifically to support international students and their involvement in extra-curricular music, we have welcomed Biochemistry student and cellist Ricky Chan into the musical life of the University. Here, Ricky reflects on what music means to him and the opportunity to get involved.


I joined the Symphony Orchestra and the String Sinfonia in the Music Department during my second year in the University of Kent. At first, I did not know there would be a big presence of classical music in the university.

I had always been an enthusiastic listener of all types of music, including classical, which started when I was young when my parents would play classical music from CDs. At school I learned to play the cello and joined the school orchestra. I liked the cello because its range is so similar to that of the human voice, which makes it sound more expressive and rich.

When I was chatting with some members of the Music Society, I was thrilled to hear that I can participate in the Orchestra and String Sinfonia through the support of hiring a cello by the Music Society. This meant that I could continue my hobby even though I could not bring my instrument which was kept far away at home. I thank Sophie and Dan for this opportunity which was enabled by a dedicated music fund, enabling me to have an opportunity to do something musical outside of my Biochemistry degree.

Playing in the Orchestra and the String Sinfonia feels challenging but enjoyable. I became immersed in the music when playing, even though sometimes I find myself struggling during practice as some of the pieces had tricky bits (but it was good fun!). Some memorable highlights last year were the String Sinfonia concert in Folkestone and in Faversham, as well as the annual concert with the University Chorus in Canterbury Cathedral.

I thank Flo Peycelon for bringing so much enthusiasm and life in the Strings Sinfonia, and Dan Harding, the conductor and Head of Music Performance at Kent for the passion he brings to the Orchestra. I look forward to the rest of my final year with Kent Music Society.

Ricky Chan

Waltzes, reels and polkas: Folkshop performs at Tenterden Folk Festival

Not content with her relentlessly busy summer (see previous post here), second-year Music Performance Scholar reading Sports and Physical Sciences, Heather Moss, took her folk ensemble to perform as part of the Tenterden Folk Festival last week. Here’s her story…


The day started bright an early when we all clambered onto the coach on our way to Tenterden. When we arrived we went and collected our Artist Wristbands from the artist reception which was a surreal moment! We then made our way to the venue, where we were greeted by Gavin and his amazing team of musicians who were here to lead the music session. More and more people started to arrive and the session was in full leaps and bounds.

We went around the room and every person started a new tune and everyone else played along having either known the tune before or picked it up by ear. It was an amazing environment to be in and be surrounded by some amazing folk musicians.

It then came to our turn to perform so we formed our semi- circle and performed our 15 minute set. Our set included a wide range of tunes from waltzes to reels to polkas, which followed with lots of clapping and applause.

After this the session continued and everyone was thoroughly enjoying themselves! Once the session was over we decided to go and have a look around some of the festival stalls where I believe a couple of new instruments where purchased… Then we quickly ran over to the road where a procession of Morris dancers was taking place, which was the first time that many of our group had ever watched Morris dancing and they were totally amazed. We then purchased some food and sat down to listen to a couple of gigs until we travelled home and chatted about lots of new folk music which we want to learn,

Heather Moss

My crazy, folk-infused summer: Music Performance Scholar Heather Moss reflects

Second-year Music Performance Scholar reading Sport and Exercise Sciences, flautist Heather Moss, runs the new FolkShop group, an extra-curricular ensemble exploring folk music, her area of speciality. Here, Heather reflects on what sounds like an exhaustively busy summer…!


Heather Moss (second from right) leading FolkShop in a lunchtime concert in Colyer-Fergusson Hall back in June as part of Summer Music Week.

My crazy, folk-infused summer began with attending a tutor training weekend for Sidmouth Folk Festival which involved learning lots of new tunes and learning the best ways to teach tunes/ folk music to children.

I then stewarded, working at the box office at Ely Folk festival. Sidmouth Folk Festival then followed this, at this festival I was a core Tutor running a daily music workshop for 1.5 hours with the help from some other tutors. At the end of the week-long festival we concluded with the participants performing the tunes that we had taught them on-stage at the Manor Pavilion in Sidmouth.

This was then followed by another festival, called Folk East, where I stewarded at the Youth Tent. This involved my running a mixture of activities throughout the days and attending all the music sessions for youth people as a helper.

I then attended the Halsway Manor Advanced Youth Summer School, with many other likeminded individuals for a week. Where we were taught tunes and techniques, including how to set up our own PA system, how to teach children folk music and how to write our own folk tunes. This was run by Archie-Churchill Moss, Kate Griffin and Ford Collinson, all amazing musicians in the folk industry.

I then attended Towersey Folk Festival, where I ran my own youth workshop every day. This involved me teaching tunes and arrangements to a mixed-ability youth participant’s. This also concluded with a performance to the public.

I then ran a folk summer school for two days with Finn Collinson, for Bungay Folk Festival. This included running two full days of activities from 9am-5pm with 10 youth attendees who had never played folk music before. This was an amazing opportunity that I thoroughly enjoyed and would love to do again!

Heather Moss

New Pop n Soul Choir launches in fine voice

Colyer-Fergusson Hall rang to the sound of voices raised in song last Thursday night, as the new Pop ‘n Soul Choir launched.
Catering to all abilities, and welcoming students, staff, and members of the local community, over sixty people came together to explore their voices, directed by Margate-based Meg Bird.
A new initiative we’ve launched as part of an evolving provision reflecting different avenues in which to make music, the new choir rehearses in Colyer-Fergusson Hall every Thursday at 7pm; and it’s not too late to join!
It was very exciting to see (and hear!) the new choir in action, and to welcome new people who’ve not been into Colyer-Fergusson before, as well as some familiar faces amongst the staff and student community. Singing is a vital aspect that promotes wellbeing, and there was certainly a vibrant atmosphere here on the night. We’re looking forward to what the choir has in store this year.
If you’d like to join the choir, contact Sophie Meikle, the Music Administrator, on s.v.meikle@kent.ac.uk to be added to the mailing list. Next time, it could be YOU singing too!

Chorus and Orchestra to give UK premiere in December

As part of our December concert season, the University Chorus and Orchestra will be giving the UK premiere of Winter Nights, a marvellously-colourful seasonal cantata by the Canadian composer, Stephanie Martin.

Stephanie Martin

Associate professor of music at York University’s School of the Arts, Media, Performance, and Design in Toronto, Stephanie also directs Schola Magdalena, a women’s ensemble for chant, medieval and modern music, and is also conductor emeritus of Pax Christi Chorale, and former director of music at the historic church of Saint Mary Magdalene in Toronto. We’re delighted that Stephanie will be flying in for the performance – so no pressure at all…!

Winter Nights sets a series of poems including a vivacious setting of Tennyson’s ‘Ring Out, Wild Bells’ and Thomas Campion’s ‘Now Winter Nights Enlarge’ as part of an evocative sequence supported by string orchestra. The piece revels in a richly-colourful harmonic landscape, with contrasting rhythmic energy, closing with a wonderfully pastoral-like setting of the lines

The summer hath his joys
And winter his delights;
Though love and all his pleasures are but toys,
They shorten tedious nights.

University Chorus at its first rehearsal of the year!

Alongside the cantata, the orchestra will be performing a seasonal pot pourri of works including movements from Tchaikovsky’s glittering Nutcracker Suite, Prokofiev’s Troika, Delius’ Sleigh Ride and the concert-suite from Polar Express to reflect the Christmas spirit.

More details and tickets online here.

My time at the Proms: Lois Cocker reviews Prom no.19

Cellist Lois Cocker rehearsing with the University Symphony Orchestra at Canterbury Cathedral

Postgraduate Music Award Holder and cellist, Lois Cocker, recently attended one of this year’s Prom concerts at the Royal Albert Hall. Here, she reflects on a memorable occasion…


This year I was lucky enough to attend the BBC Proms number 19, to listen to a mixture of scores consisting of Jonathan Harvey, Elgar and Holst, performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, conducted by Sakari Oramo.

The night started off with Tranquil Abiding by Jonathan Harvey, of which I had never heard of before, but was very excited to see after hearing the Head of Music Performance, Dan Harding, express his interest in this piece! [True: I love this piece! Ed.} Harvey’s music conveys his interest in Eastern spirituality into music writing, with this piece relating to meditation where the ‘mind is not observing the rest of the universe but is at one with it’. This was a great piece to start the Proms with, as the small orchestra moved as one to create a slow, breathing rhythm, easing the audience into a state of relaxation. At first upon hearing it, both my mum and I felt it was horror movie-esque, however after reading the programme, this made sense, as it represented the thoughts diverting the mind, as the piece then stills itself creating the sense of calm. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this piece live and seeing how the orchestra moved independently to then ending as one breathing entity. I highly recommend seeing this contemporary piece if ever given the chance!

The end of the first half was Elgar’s Cello Concerto, for which the orchestra was joined by Senja Rummukainen. I am rather biased when it comes to the cello, however this was undoubtedly, the highlight of the evening for me! After attempting to learn passages from this in music lessons this year, it was a dream to be able to see it performed live by an extraordinary cellist. The whole audience loved it as well, with Senja coming back on stage after to perform a random passage to end her Prom with! The orchestra following her were equally as great and it is a performance I shall never forget.

The second half was occupied by Gustav Holst’s, The Cloud Messenger, another piece I was also unaware of before. The Chorus were singing an adaptation of a 4th/5th century poem, whereby the cloud was asked to send a message to the narrator’s wife. Consisting of seven verses, it talks about the natural wonders the cloud will see on its journey and is overall a beautiful poem. A contralto solo was also performed by Jess Dandy, who had an incredible voice and added to the tenderness of the poem. This piece is rarely performed, as in its first performance (1913), apparently the chorus fell apart! I am glad to say this reputation was not followed this night, and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to it and following along with the words sung by the chorus.

Overall, the Proms was the highlight of my summer and was a fantastic treat alongside still studying for my Master’s. I highly encourage anyone to go see this programme, especially The Cloud Messenger seeing as it is a rare occurrence!


You can listen back to the whole concert on BBC Sounds here.