Brace yourselves: next week, not one, not two, but THREE bands collide (musically speaking!), as the University’s Concert and Big Bands team up with St. Edmund’s School Big Band for Big Bands 3.
The event is in aid of The Lady Mayoress’ charities, and promises to be a lively event. The first of its kind, conductor Ian Swatman is looking forward to the event (when he can tear himself away from following the fortunes of Hull City, that is…!)
“It’s going to be a great night, and a chance for University staff and students and some of the pupils of St. Edmund’s School to play together,” Ian remarks as he ponders The Tigers’ current form, currently in ninth position in the table, having won two out of their past three matches. ”Plus it’s all in support of a worthy cause, and all for a mere five pounds: great music, great players, and a great cause: who can resist ?!”
Kicking off at 7.30pm in St. Edmund’s School Hall, it’ll be an action-packed night: tickets are selling fast, make sure you get yours! Further details on-line here.
With less than thirty-six hours to go before the Chorus and Orchestra storm the Cathedral (musically, that is) for the annual Colyer-Fergusson Concert, all systems are powering ahead.
Chorus of approval: photo credit Robert Berry
Final rehearsals this week, including tonight, before rehearsing in situ tomorrow, when the Chorus are reminded of the literal heights to which they can ascend on the tiered choral seating, and the Orchestra remember just how close they will be sitting to the audience. With a battery of percussion required for the Stravinsky ‘Firebird Suite,’ there’ll be an even bigger orchestra than usual.
Combined with the mighty Meistersingers Overture by Wagner and Mozart’s sublime Requiem, it promises to be a titanic occasion: see you there!
With some surprise, I find that this blog has today reached its first birthday. What started out as a simple (or so I thought) way of looking at the world of music has grown into a fully-fledged adjunct to the department’s musical life, embracing concert reviews, alumni profiles, student articles, audio and video examples and a way of fomenting discussion and debate about music; all good.
It’s even spawned blog-offspring (blogspring ?) of its own, in the form of the choral blog ‘Cantus Firmus,’ the Concert and Big Band blog ‘On the Beat’ and the nascent orchestra blog, ‘Playing Up.’
Having your cake and eating it...?
With thanks to all of you who read, contribute, comment, share, tweet and in each way keep it alive and still reflecting both musical life here at the University, as well as beyond.
Continuing the series profiling musical alumni of the University. This week, former Music Society President Yasmeena Daya.
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When were you at Kent ?
I was at Kent from September 2007 through to June 2010.
What subject did you study ?
Joint Honours Film and Drama Studies.
What occupation are you now engaged in ?
I have just finished working as an intern for Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol (the 4th film in the series). For two and a half months, I worked with both the Locations and Publicity departments. It was such an unbelievable opportunity, I got to work with and meet so many amazing people and they were all so friendly that it was like belonging to a giant filmic family.
Straight afterwards, I landed another job working for a Publicity department, but this time at the Dubai International Film Festival 2010! This was a similarly incredible experience; I managed and handled several projects completely independently- it was stressful and scary but very rewarding.
Both opportunities were immensely enlightening and exciting- within the space of 3 months I had worked on a Paramount film set, walked my first red carpet, met and worked with legendary talent on a daily basis and attended a film festival awards ceremony!
A couple of weeks ago, I auditioned for a role in an upcoming play to be performed in Dubai. I was accepted into the cast and we are currently in the rehearsal process! The date has not been set yet but the performance should be sometime in February.
If music is not your profession, do you participate in any musical experiences now ?
Since leaving University, I’m afraid I have not had the time. But I intend to get into contact with my Dubai-based singing teacher now that I am no longer working the mad hours that I was during M:I 4 and DIFF. I am also always on the look out to join any singing groups in the region and have signed myself up for one that will hopefully get started sometime soon.
How were you involved in music whilst at Kent ?
I was awarded the Music Lesson Scholarship for singing lessons for the three years that I studied at Kent. I also auditioned (and annually re-audiditoned!) for the Chamber Choir. I was lucky enough to go on tour to Paris with the Chamber Choir in my first year- a Chamber Choir year, and trip, that I will never forget. I was also involved in Chorus and in a couple of smaller concerts- lunchtime concerts, scholarship concerts and charity sing-songs. In my third year, I was voted in as Music Society President- a position I was very sad to have to give up at the end of the year!
What did you gain from your University music experience, and has this helped you in any way since leaving Kent ?
I gained so much from my Kent music experience that I don’t know where to begin! I learnt a lot about myself, about how much I am actually capable of doing (a joint honours degree and a lot of extra-curricular musical activity can be immensely time consuming)! And, as a result of this, I learnt that I don’t like having nothing to do; I would rather be running to a rehearsal in the rain or getting ready for a concert in the Cathedral or organising a meeting about hoodies, than sitting around at home.
Of course, most importantly, I gained the ability to continue being musical alongside my undergraduate degree. I did not have to study music to continue singing, something that has been a part of my life since I was nine. I was so relieved to be able to carry on singing and to do so in such a friendly environment.
What was your most memorable musical experience at Kent ?
It is really difficult to pick one. Besides singing at the annual Carol Service held in the beautifully candle-lit Canterbury Cathedral, my most memorable experience would have to be Chamber Choir. I would look forward to every Tuesday night when the Chamber Choir would meet in the awkwardly shaped OTE and rehearse. In fact, wherever and whenever the Chamber Choir would get together, it was always memorable- it is impossible to forget our hilarious and scrumptious picnics!
In addition to all of this, I can’t forget being part of the committee every year, and especially in my final year. It was such a great experience getting to know our amazing 09/10 committee and I especially loved working so closely with the fantastic 09/10 execs; Secretary Suzy and Dan ‘Troy’ The Treasurer.
What would you say to current musical students at the University ? (optional!)
Don’t think twice: just sign-up!
I was really late in auditioning for Chamber Choir and the Scholarship and, out of shyness, I only attended my first Chorus rehearsal because someone else went with me.
In retrospect, I can’t imagine missing out and studying at Kent without being a part of the Music Society. I made so many friends through Music Soc, people I’m still in touch with today, despite how far away Dubai is.
I’m really glad I overcame my initial shyness and just went for it, I guarantee I would have left Kent a much less confident, outgoing, and musical (!) person had I not.
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If you’re an alumnis and would like to be featured, get in touch via the Music Department website: we’d love to hear from you!
As reported in Jazzwise and elsewhere today, the great British jazz pianist George Shearing has died at the age of 91.
Shear genius: George Shearing
Blind from birth, London-born Shearing moved to American and lived in New York; he worked with a notable array of jazz luminaries including singers Nat King Cole and Sarah Vaughan, guitarist Joe Pass and vibraphone legend Gary Burton . Shearing had a deft pianistic style, that moved easily from rich clusters of chords to delicate single-finger melodic playing.
Lullaby of Birdland was perhaps his most famous tune, named after the famous jazz club in New York.
Continuing the series profiling musical alumni of the University of Kent. This week, Susannah Wharfe.
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When were you at Kent ?
Lady Sings the Blues: Susannah Wharfe
I was at Kent from September 2008 – November 2009.
What subject did you study ?
I studied for a Masters in International Conflict Analysis.
What occupation are you now engaged in ?
Officially, as in my paid job, I work for a Social Mechanics Agency, called Kinship Networking. We’re based in Shoreditch, London, and look at providing solutions for businesses using ‘socialness’.
Unofficially I have two other ‘jobs’ – helping run an up-and-coming theatre company called Pilotlight Theatre, as well as writing and recording my own music, and playing whenever I can.
(For note, I perform under my nickname, zanna wharfe)
If music is not your profession, do you participate in any musical experiences now ?
I’m still heavily involved in music, but mostly from a personal, solo perspective. I’m currently writing my own material, as well as helping out with backing tracks and covers for various little projects. I’ve also got a MySpace page. I’m heading into the recording studio soon to start recording my own stuff, which is ridiculously exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time! Fingers crossed in time it might be my primary profession!
How were you involved in music whilst at Kent ?
I was an avid singer – singing with the Chamber Choir as well as regularly joining the team for the inaugural Jazz @ 5 sessions.
What did you gain from your University music experience, and has this helped you in any way since leaving Kent ?
Singing at Kent reinvigorated my love of it. I’d not realised how much I’d missed having music in my life till I was thrown back into the deep end and got involved again. It also reminded me how exhilarating it is to stand up in front of people and bare your soul, so to speak.
What was your most memorable musical experience at Kent ?
Singing at The Orange Street Music Club for our charity concert.
What would you say to current musical students at the University ?
Just enjoy it. As they’ll drill home to you, there’s no official music department, and that’s what makes it so exciting, and friendly! If, in the long term, it’s really want you want to do, then do it. Just keep practicing, keep performing, but know your strengths. There’s a fine balance between realism and the dream world – and you have to keep one foot in each at all times; a tough, but ultimately fulfilling thing to do.
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f you’re an alumnus and would like to be featured, get in touch via the Music Department website: we’d love to hear from you!
Hold onto your hats, as the traditional annual roof-raising concert by the University Concert and Big Bands storms back to the Gulbenkian Theatre.
Click to enlarge
An action-packed programme includes an invitation to spend A Night On Broadway with a medley of popular showtunes including The Lion King and Wicked, and music by John Williams, Jo Zawinul as well as a tribute to Artie Shaw. Featuring staff and student musicians from the University, and led from the front by magic-fingered reeedsman Ian Swatman, this popular event will also feature two of the University’s Music Scholars, Jo Turner and Ruby Mutlow, as guest singers with the Big Band.
There’ll also be some live musical entertainment from student musicians in the Gulbenkian Foyer before the show to get you in the mood. Prepare to be carried away on a night of swing, funk, cinema soundtracks and big band favourites.
You can follow the adventures of the Concert and Big Bands on their blog, ‘On The Beat;’ further details about the concert on the deparment website here.
Because it does. Doesn't it ? Blogging about extra-curricular musical life at the University of Kent.
The event is in aid of The Lady Mayoress’ charities, and promises to be a lively event. The first of its kind, conductor Ian Swatman is looking forward to the event (when he can tear himself away from following the fortunes of Hull City, that is…!)
