If you’re coming to the Postgraduate Open Day event this Saturday, by all means drop in to the Colyer-Fergusson building and hear the University Chamber Choir, which will be in the midst of its all-day workshop.
The Choir is busy preparing for its annual concert in the Crypt of Canterbury Cathedral in just over two weeks’ time, and at this point in the year, we hold an all-day rehearsal, getting to grips with the works in the concert and running the entire programme in ‘performance mode.’
The rehearsal lasts from 10am to 3.30pm; come and get a sneak preview of what’s to come in the concert on Friday 15 February.
You can find out more about the Postgraduate Open day, which runs from 10am-2pm, online here.
And as I type, the new Watch This Space series of informal gigs on the foyer stage is in full swing, with live jazz from the Colossus Quartet, including some if the Music Scholars.
Giant steps: the Colossus Quartet
We’ve been treated to a rich mix of Sonny Rollins, Coltrane, Gillespie and styles from swing to bossa.
There’ll be more in the series throughout the term: keep an eye on the website and Twitter for details.
A recent article in the New Scientist reveals that starting to learn a musical instrument at an early age can coincide with a key period of neurological development.
MRI scans revealed that the white matter in the corpus callosum – the brain region that links the two hemispheres – had more extensive wiring and connectivity in the early starters. … the corpus callosum aids speed and synchronisation in tasks involving both hands, such as playing musical instruments…
…younger-trained musicians may have an advantage because their training coincides with a key period of brain development . At age 7 or 8, the corpus callosum is more receptive than ever to the alterations in connectivity necessary to meet the demands of learning an instrument.
Image: Mikael Damkier/Alamy
Although starting to learn early helps develop connectivity in the brain, the article goes on to say that this does not, alas, guarantee musical genius. Darn…
Beginning the series profiling some of this year’s University Music Scholars: this week, soprano Victoria Newell.
On Song: soprano Victoria Newell
I have had a love of all music, with a particular passion for singing, from a very early age. Before starting my Drama and Theatre Studies BA Hons at Kent University in September 2012, I was involved in a wide genre of singing, from formal school choirs to musical theatre and jazz. I was lucky to attend a school with progressive drama and music departments and was privileged to be given main roles in Seussical, The Witches of Eastwick, Evita, Chicago and Spamalot. Outside school, I took part in local musical theatre productions, including the title role in Annie, which developed my confidence as a soloist at a young age.
As a soprano I have sung a variety of solos in different choir groups, including 1st soprano in a joint school/adult performance of Monteverdi’s Beatus Vir. One of the highlights of my singing career was accompanying the school jazz band at various functions – the pinnacle of this was singing ‘Fever’ at the Ronnie Scot’s Jazz Night, where the prestigious Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club performed alongside the school Jazz Band.
I am a songwriter and, in order to accompany myself, a self-taught guitarist with a growing repertoire of songs. During my recent gap year working in a school in Auckland, New Zealand I supported both the drama and the music departments in a variety of ways, and gained a great deal from this experience. The school even asked me to take part in their performance of Cats as no one else could reach the top notes in the Jellicle song!
Since being at Kent Uni I have greatly enjoyed being a member of the Chamber Choir and the Chorus. The highlight so far has been the wonderful Carol Service in Canterbury Cathedral at the end of last term. The atmosphere was extremely special and I felt very privileged to be part of such an amazing choral group. Now we are working hard towards the Chamber Choir’s Crypt Concert next month, which promises to be equally fantastic. I have really been enjoying the new music building and all the facilities it offers and I look forward to enjoying and contributing to the department in my years to come.
Via The Guardian, here’s conductor Antonio Pappano giving a masterclass on a Verdi aria: a short lesson in the importance of singing consonants in Italian, the continuity of line, and pacing dynamic change; filmed as part of a behind-the-scenes day in the life of Covent Garden.
The new What’s Ononline diary of musical events has just gone live this morning, with details of all the musical events between now and July.
From the grandeur of the Colyer-Fergusson Cathedral Concert to the intimacy of the Chamber Choir Crypt Concert, music embraces a range of events, including celebrations of Mozart and, in his centenary year, Benjamin Britten. The University Concert and Big Bands come together for From Bond to Basie, and we’re also launching a new series of ‘Watch This Space’ gigs on the new foyer-stage, which includes live jazz.
There are also visits from several local orchestras and choirs, and later on in June, we’ll be celebrating the end of the academic year with ‘Summer Music,’ about which details will emerge in April.
Check out all the events on the online diary here.
It’s been an action-packed final week; from Thursday through to Sunday, many of the University’s musicians were involved in rehearsing for, and performing in, the Gala opening concerts on Saturday and Sunday; the University Carol Service took place in Canterbury Cathedral on Monday night; there was a ‘Winter Wonderland’ lunchtime concert at which the Estates Team Choir made its debut yesterday; and finally Carols Round the Christmas Tree yesterday night.
Chorus and Orchestra in the Gala weekend, Image: Miles Banbery
We’re still recovering, both from the number of events in so short a time, but also from the heady success of the formal opening of the wonderful Colyer-Fergusson music building. You can see extensive photographs from the entire weekend on our special Pinterest board here.
The weekend saw two works premièred: one with the Chamber Choir by your loyal correspondent, the other with Concert Band in James Rae’s Platform One, which you can read about on their blog, ‘On The Beat’ here.
The Chamber Choir sang at the University Carol Service in Canterbury Cathedral on Monday night; find out how they got on in a feature over on the choral blog, Cantus Firmus, here.
University Chamber Choir
Wednesday’s festive lunchtime concert saw music from the Cecilian Choir, the Canterberries, and the debut performance from the Estates Team Choir; read about how it went (and there’s even some footage too…) on Cantus Firmushere.
The Estates Team Choir
And finally, members of the University community and friends gathered in the chilly night to bid a musical farewell to the term at ‘Carols Round The Tree.’
Image: Jim Higham
We’re taking a break for Christmas, but will be back again in the New Year to report on all the events we’re lining up for next term through to the week-long Summer Music in June; it’s going to be an exciting period. Festive good wishes to all our readers: see you in January.
Because it does. Doesn't it ? Blogging about extra-curricular musical life at the University of Kent.
Wednesday 20 Feb – 
There are also visits from several local orchestras and choirs, and later on in June, we’ll be celebrating the end of the academic year with ‘Summer Music,’ about which details will emerge in April.
