All posts by Daniel Harding

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

Scholars’ Spotlight: Matthew Baldwin

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Continuing the series profiing some of this year’s new University Music Scholars. This week, tuba-player Matt Baldwin.

 

Top brass: Matt Baldwin
Top brass: Matt Baldwin

I’m a tuba scholar studying Architecture at the University of Kent. I am 19 and from Derbyshire, where I attended John Port School in a small village called Etwall. There, I was a member of their Wind and Swing band that was set up by the Sixth Form students.

I started playing music 12 years ago, originally on the cornet, but after sixths months of struggling and a lot of bum notes later (!) I was persuaded to move onto the tuba where I had a lot more success, going on to play for many bands at a regional and county level. These bands include South Derbyshire Wind Band and Brass Band alongside Derbyshire City and County Wind Band and Orchestra. During my time playing music I have toured many European Countries and taken part in Regional and National Competitions across the country.

Currently, whilst studying at Kent I represent the University in the Concert Band and Orchestra. I am looking forward to the many concerts I have ahead; especially the opportunity to perform in Canterbury Cathedral.

Matt Baldwin

See all the other features in this series here.

Now Hear This!

Postgraduate Open Day; come and hear the Chamber Choir

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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.

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Keeping It Real: reviews.

All that jazz; Watch This Space launches

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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.

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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.

Now back to the jazz…

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Arts and the Consumer

Early musical training produces ‘long-lasting effects on performance and the brain’

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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…

Read the full article here.

 

Scholars Spotlight

Scholars’ Spotlight: Victoria Newell

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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.

Victoria Newell

Read the other profiles in the series here.

Notes on Music

Live opera relays from the ROH at the Gulbenkian

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For opera-lovers – the Gulbenkian Theatre is showing live relays from Covent Garden over the next few months.

Wednesday 20 Feb – Eugene Onegin

Monday 29 April – Nabucco

Monday 27 May – La Donna del Lago

Monday 24 June – Gloriana

Here’s the stellar Renee Fleming in the famous ‘Letter Scene’ from Eugene Onegin, to whet your appetite.

More details on the Gulbenkian website here, or see the individual links above.

Notes on Music

New year, new term: new What’s On

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The new What’s On online 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.

Canterbury CathedralThere 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.

Welcome back.