All posts by Daniel Harding

Head of Music Performance, University of Kent: pianist, accompanist and conductor: jazz enthusiast.

Image Gallery: Big Band and the Man in Red

The University Big Band, with a little help from the Man in Red, brought the term to an ebullient conclusion yesterday evening, rounding off a day of seasonal music-making in the Colyer-Fergusson building.

Lunchtime saw a festive ‘Watch This Space’ with music from the Chamber and Cecilian Choirs, Tutti Flutties, The Canterberries, the Dance Orchestra and jazz on the foyer-stage.

In the evening, Ian Swatman led the Big Band in some seasonal swing, including vocal contributions from Steph Richardson, Ruby Mutlow and Sophie Meikle amidst some jazz takes on Jingle Bells and other seasonal favourites, together with the Brass Ensemble in communal carols. The evening was crowned with the arrival of the Man in Red himself, greeted with a roof-raising round of applause that almost eclipsed any musical heights the Big Band had scaled during the gig.

We’re back again in the new year with our new concert-diary (published towards the start of term), which will include details of all the lunchtime, Cathedral and informal concerts happening from January to April. From all of us in the music department – a merry Christmas!

Images © Matt Wilson / University of Kent

The end is nearly in sight…

The University Chorus and Symphony Orchestra brought their term to a rousing conclusion on Saturday night in the Colyer-Fergusson hall.

Chorus_Orchestra_Dec2013

But the music doesn’t end there; this Wednesday, there’s a seasonal ‘Watch This Space‘ on the foyer-stage, with festive contributions from the Chamber and Cecilian Choirs, the Lost Consort, Tutti Flutties, The Canterberries and the Dance Band starting at 1.10pm; then there’s live jazz from 2-3pm.

Then at 5.15pm, the University Big Band invites us to Swing-along-a-Santa, including communal carols with the Brass Ensemble. Sadly, all the tickets for the event have now gone – it promises to be a packed and festival finale to the term.

Around the blogs this week

Over on the choral blog, Cantus Firmus, there’s a look back at the University Carol Service that took place on Monday night at Canterbury Cathedral, at which the University Chamber performed, processed, and managed not to set light to anything flammable…

There’s also a look at some of the contemporary repertoire facing the University Cecilian Choir, ahead of its concert next term.

Writing
Mightier than the sword…

And in case you missed it, conductor of the University Big Band, Ian Swatman, ponders the inevitability of next week’s Swing-along-a-Santa over on On The Beat.

Meanwhile, we’re all preparing for tomorrow night’s concert with the University Chorus and Symphony Orchestra in the usual end-of-term extravaganza. See you on Monday…

In Pictures: University Chamber Choir; Music for Advent

The University Chamber Choir began its performance series last Friday, with a sequence of music and readings for Advent at the church of St Damian & St Cosmus, in Blean.

Our thanks to the team at Blean church for making us so welcome, and helping us to launch the beginning of the Advent season. Next stop for the Choir: the University Carol Service in Canterbury Cathedral…

Images © Matt Wilson / University of Kent

Britten, Brodskys and Bethlehem Down: music this week

A busy week this week for the department.

Wednesday’s lunchtime concert sees the continuing #Britten100 celebrations from the award-winning Kent College Choristers, as they bring his Friday Afternoons for voices and piano to the Colyer-Fergusson Hall at 1.10pm.

Kent College Choristers
Kent College Choristers
The Brodsky Quartet
The Brodsky Quartet

Then, on Friday evening at 7.45pm, the Colyer-Fergusson Hall hosts a return visit from the Brodsky Quartet with its contribution to our tripartite centenary observance with music by Britten, Verdi and Wagner; there’s also music by Frank Bridge, Britten’s teacher, on the programme.

Finally, also on Friday evening, the University Chamber Choir will be marking the beginning of the Advent season with a sequence of carols and readings at the Church of St Damian and St Cosmus, Blean, in what seems to be becoming an annual tradition! Woven around the great Advent antiphons is a collection of carols old and new, poems and prose exploring the meaning of the Advent season.

Advent_flyer

Plenty to celebrate this week. More details on our online events diary here.

Music building wins Wood Award

We’re delighted to announce that the Colyer-Fergusson Building was a winner at yesterday’s Wood Awards.

Wood you believe it...
Wood you believe it…Image: Tim Ronalds Architects

The building won the “Commercial and Public Access” category at the Wood Awards yesterday evening, for its deployment of wood in construction, particularly the use of Douglas Fir. As Tim Ronalds Architects, designers of the building, state:

The walls and ceiling are completely lined in Douglas Fir Plywood, supported on a steel frame, and braced with solid Douglas Fir rails which stiffen the linings to avoid any unwanted resonance at musical frequencies, and provide acoustic diffusion. The acoustics can be modulated to suit music-making of all kinds with curtains that transform the interior into a soft, fabric-lined space, and retract behind the timber wall linings when not in use.

The design provides an unusual degree of flexibility for a hall with world-class acoustics…The retractable seating is finished with Douglas Fir fascias, continuing the material and rhythm of the hall lining panels.

The new Colyer-Fergusson concert hall
The new Colyer-Fergusson concert hall

Read more about the building on the Wood Award website here.

Wood you believe it: another award nomination

We’re delighted to reveal that the Colyer-Fergusson Music Building has been shortlisted for the Wood Awards 2013, which celebrate excellence in design in wood.

cf_hall_webIt is one of thirty UK architecture, furniture and design projects that feature wood to be selected for the awards’ shortlist. The winners, including the main Gold Award, will be announced at a ceremony in London on 19 November hosted by the Worshipful Company of Carpenters.

This follows on from our RIBA National Award for architectural excellence earlier this year, when we were one of only two buildings in the Southeast to win an award and one of forty-three to win nationally.

Designed by Tim Ronalds Architects, the Colyer-Fergusson Music Building is notable for its wide range of innovative design features, which include the extensive use of wood.

Fingers crossed…

 

Prepare to board with the Music Theatre Showcase!

Get your passports and boarding passes at the ready and join the University Music Theatre Society on a thrilling, whistle-stop tour of the world, including songs from Chicago, Lion King, Oklahoma, Annie and many more this weekend, as they embark on their showcase and extend the invitation to Come Fly With Me.

Performances are on Saturday 16th November at 8 pm, and Sunday 17th November at 4 pm / 8 pm in Darwin Missing Link; tickets are available from the Mandela building and are only £5 (the cheapest holiday yet!)

Fasten your seat belts, put your tray tables in the upright position and prepare for Come Fly With Me, as this is one journey you won’t want to miss. Here’s some of the Society in rehearsal this week…

Follow the Music Theatre Society on Twitter.