The philosophy of music: or the music of philosophy ?
Keep up with the build-up to, as well as events throughout, Summer Music week on its dedicated Twitter account, @UKCSummerMusic.
Events run from Monday 3 – Sunday 9 June, and include lunchtime concerts, live jazz, the Big Band Gala, a choral concert, culminating in the annual Music Society Sunday concert with Chorus, Orchestra, Concert Band and Chamber Choir.
Free events throughout the week include gigs on the foyer-stage. Find out more online here.
Ahead of the Music Theatre Society’s production of Rent which starts this Wednesday, I talked with the show’s Musical Director, Jake Bhanji.
DH: What’s your involvement with the show this year? And what does that mean?
JB: I’m the Musical Director for Rent which means I work with the band, preparing and perfecting the vast accompanying music for the show and come performance time, conduct and play the keyboard. I rehearse the band twice a week, and also work closely with our brilliant vocal director, Steph, and awesome director, Alick, in ensuring amendments in the music and the cues are noted. Now at this later stage, we’re working on bringing the band and the cast together, so the cast can get used to the music, and the band used to the singing.
DH: And what are the challenges of working on this show?
Jonathan Larson certainly knows how to keep the musicians on our toes! The shear amount of music, filled with changes in time signatures, keys, tempo, and much more as been a challenge, but we’ve met them well, and I’m immensely proud of the band for coping with it all! Despite its complexity, the music is still great and both the band and the cast love it.
DH: So what have you most enjoyed working on?
To be honest, there is so much to choose from, so it is really difficult to choose just one I’ve enjoyed. Well, Out tonight is definitely a favourite! As well as the big opening number Rent’ it really brings the whole show to life, kicking it off with a bang, which just keeps getting better! Speaking with the band, I know unanimously La Vie Boheme is definitely one that we all leave rehearsals still singing!
DH And you’re in the Gulbenkian this year, rather than your usual haunt, the Whitstable Playhouse ?
Yes, it is great to use the fantastic facilities that we have here on campus. The Gulbenkian offers brilliant theatre space, and I’m really looking forward to getting in there, and putting it all together, it’s like the final part to the puzzle. Speaking of facilities, the music department here, has been brilliant putting up with our band rehearsals and loaning out equipment. It’s been so beneficial to make use of the new sound proof band room, pianos and drums, without which would really make our band redundant.
DH: Why, thank you: glad to help! Can you give us a hint as to what we’re in for on the night ?
JB: You’re in for a night full of rockin’ music; virtuosic singing, acting and dance, and a story that’ll make you want to get up and start singing and dancing with the cast! Not to mention a treat for both the guys and girls, trust me! And a show that you’ll never forget!
The production runs this week, from Wednesday to Friday. at the Gulbenkian Theatre: details and tickets online here.
And we have lift-off for the department’s new ensemble, Prism, which met earlier today for the first time.
Focusing on contemporary and / or unusual music, the group has come together to realise Terry Riley’s seminal, challenging and provocative In C, arguably one of the most influential pieces of the twentieth century.
We are developing the piece for a performance at a lunchtime concert next term; several of the performers had lecture and deadline commitments and were unable to come, but those that did took to the piece with vibrant enthusiasm; the suggestion of putting it on in a concert in the summer was greeted with great excitement.
Watch This Space…
When not involved in Chamber Choir, conducting Sing! or gigging with the University Big Bands and vocal trio ‘The Canterberries,’ third-year Drama student and Music Scholar Steph Richardson is also working on this year’s production of ‘Rent’ with the Music Theatre Society. In a break from her hectic schedule, I caught up with Steph and asked her what it’s all about…
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DH: What’s your involvement with the show this year ? And what does that mean ?
SR: I’m vocal director, which means I teach the music and harmonies to the cast and cover the musical side of the show until the band comes in a few weeks before the show goes on stage (at which point Jake, our musical director, comes into the mix).
DH: What are the challenges of working on this show ?
SR: As it’s sung-through, there is so much music to get into your head before blocking and staging can even happen. Although the score is brilliant, it is only brilliant because of Jonathan Larson’s ruthless changes of time signatures, rhythms and keys, which keep the cast on their toes. Saying that, a week before the tech run, these difficulties are being ironed out nicely and the cast are on top form!
DH: What have you most enjoyed working on ?
SR: Specifically, although Seasons of Love is the most well-known song, La Vie Boheme has been the most fun to work on. Everyone is so enthusiastic and they really bring the stage to life! I love working with the creative team too. Alick is a great director and works really well with the team. He knows exactly what he wants from the show, which is fantastic, and it looks like the cast, crew and band are going to do him justice.
DH: And you’re in the Gulbenkian Theatre this year, for the first time ?
SR: That’s right: and we’re very happy about it! It gives all Kent Uni students the chance to experience this lively musical as it’s right on their doorstep this year. The Whistable Playhouse is a great space, but it’s nice to bring it onto campus.
DH: Can you give us a hint as to what we’re in for on the night ?
SR: n the night, though you should be prepared for your heartstrings to be tugged a little, you’re alo in for an evening of rockin music, super acting, and a witty and very raunchy look at bohemian life in the 1990s.
The production runs next week, from Wednesday to Friday. at the Gulbenkian Theatre: details and tickets online here.
Just published over on ‘Storify,’ a look ahead to next week’s gig with the Concert and Big Bands.
Read it here.
Dont’ forget, you can view all our ‘What’s On’ events at a glance over on our (formerly Wallwisher, now Padlet) ‘wall,’ up-dated each time there’s a new gig added to ‘Watch This Space.’
Click here to view online; make sure you ‘Bookmark’ the page, to keep up with all the latest events ‘at a glance!’
Read it