Colyer-Fergusson welcomed donors, supporters and friends to the University Music Department yesterday, as they gathered on Day Three of Summer Music Week for the annual Music Scholars’ Lunchtime Recital.
A wonderfully exploratory programme opened with second-year Jonathan Butten giving a lyrical solo cor anglais performance, followed by final-year Anne Engels in two pieces of French flute repertoire by Poulenc and Messiaen. The atmosphere turned sultry with a Piazzollla piano trio, featuring second-year cellist Faith Chan and first-year violinist Lydia Cheng, with Your Loyal Correspondent on piano, before a kitchen-sink finale highlighting diverse repertoire for solo percussion by third-year Cory Adams.
The concert was followed by the annual Music Awards ceremony, recognising the outstanding contribution made by various student musicians over the course of this year, about which more anon, before audience and performers retired to a post-ceremony reception.
Summer Music Week continues today with live jazz at lunchtime, followed this evening by the roof-raising gala from the Concert and Big Bands.
Singers Charlotte Webb, Ruth Webster, Joe Prescott, Doug Haycock and Robert Loveless trod the boards of the school’s stage to entertain children and adults with the mock-Baroque oratorio celebrating the marriage of Dracula’s daughter, complete with costumes, props and some effective facial make-up from Doug in particular.
The full performance takes place as part of Summer Music Week on Monday 6 June at 5pm for an in-the-round concert in Colyer-Fergusson Hall, for which the singers will be joined by members of the Cecilian Choir, smoke and mirrors. See you then – if you dare…
