Present ideas in ways that avoid cliché, keep press releases short and link to media examples where appropriate to give reviewers exanples of what you are trying to flog keen to promote, and don’t use buzz-speak – its meaning is usually diametrically opposed to what you are actually saying.
Traditionally the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, autumn is also the time when the hops have been harvested, and celebrations and thanks are given for a bountiful year.
Each year, dignitaries from Shepherd Neame and representatives of the brewing industry gather at the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Selling, for the annual Hop Blessing, instigated by the Faversham-based Shepherd Neame, Britain’s oldest brewery.
On Friday 1 October, singers from the University of Kent were invited to perform both during the blessing service, and afterwards at a traditional Hop-Pickers’ Lunch. The group sang Tourdion, originally an old French melody, translated as When I Drink Good English Ale, which celebrates the virtues (and the drawbacks!) of the grain and the grape.
After a hearty lunch of traditional hop-picker’s fayre, the group joined with everyone present in singing a selection of popular ballads, and also performed for the gathering an old English round, He That Will An Ale-House Keep andAnders Edenroth’s entertaining Words, rich in close-harmonies and a real a cappella calling-card.
With thanks to Tom Falcon, Production and Distribution Director for Shepherd Neame, for inviting us to perform, and to Alison Shelley for the photographs, for helping to organise the singers and making them feel so welcome.
Continuing the series profiling musical alumni of the University of Kent. This week, Christiane Litman.
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When were you at Kent ?
From Sept 2002 – July 2005
What subject did you study ?
BA (Hons) in English Culture and Language/ Comparative Literature.
What occupation are you now engaged in ?
Primary School Teacher (I was music coordinator in my previous school)
If music is not your profession, do you participate in any musical experiences now ?
Yes, I sing in a church choir, a university chorus (Glyndwr in Wrexham, North Wales) and a professional chamber choir called Voices of the North. I also play the viola in the Chester Philharmonic Orchestra. In addition, I help run the junior choristers in my church.
How were you involved in music whilst at Kent ?
I played the viola in the Orchestra, as well as in the Camerata during my degree. During my first year I was also part of a student-run string quartet.
What did you gain from your University music experience, and has this helped you in any way since leaving Kent ?
It gave me a circle of friends which was unrelated to just my degree studies. Through my involvement in music I also met my husband in Canterbury during my first year. Having played in the orchestra, following my degree I joined the Maidstone Symphony Orchestra for a while and then rejoined the university orchestra for a couple of concerts before relocating to North Wales.
What was your most memorable musical experience at Kent ?
Playing the children’s concerts with the Camerata- always great fun and the children’s faces when they came to “try out” at the end are unforgettable. Particularly their confusion when I explained that my instrument was not a violin!
What would you say to current musical students at the University ?
Have fun! And if you get the chance, also get involved in music outside of uni. There’s lots going on in Canterbury and the more you can do, the wider your experience is going to be.
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If 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!
John Adams’ miniature piece of mesmerising Minimalism China Gates was broadcast on BBC Radio 3 this morning: if you’ve not heard this little gem before, click here to open iPlayer and move the transport bar across to 2.40.54 for a brief moment of tranquility in your life.
The Music Department is once again girding itself to participate in this year’s ‘Children in Need’ appeal, in an event which takes place on Thursday 18 November in Eliot Hall at 1.10pm.
This year, we’ll be singing ‘O Fortuna,’ the rousing introduction to Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana which is the theme to the X-Factor or, depending on your generation, the music to the ‘Old Spice’ television advert!
With two pianos and percussion, plus a rousing choir, it’ll be an event to remember! You don’t even have to be able to sing – just bring your enthusiasm (and a donation!) to help raise money for a great cause.
I’m pleased to say that a review penned by yours truly of Monday’s lunchtime concert by the Eden-Stell Guitar Duo has been published by Bachtrack, the on-line concerts listings website.