Over on the Big Band blog, On the Beat, we’ve an interview with Steph Richardson, singer with ths band this year, about her musical interests and rehearsing with the band in preparation for their concert next month (read more).
Image: sumbrealism.blogspot
Whilst on the choral blog, Cantus Firmus, the Chamber Choir has been exploring the narrow boundaries between sound and silence and practicing singing oh-so quielty, ahead of their Crypt Concert next week (read more).
And for all you saxophonists, there’s a review of a gig at Pizza Express from Radio 3 New Generation Artist Trish Clowes, a lyrical live set which is currently on iPlayer, which you can hear until Tuesday (read more).
President of this year’s Medway Music Society, Jack McDonnell, dishes the inside info on what’s been happening, and what’s to come, out West…
Jack McDonnell (centre) at the helm of the Medway Music Society Exec
Music Society are back with a bang in 2013 and have a plethora of auditory treats for your delectation in the coming weeks.
Last term we had great success with our events having launched our first ever weekend Socials and with Battle of the Bands raising over £125 for an array of charities including UMSA RaG and Kent Hitch.
We’re very pleased to say that we’ve successfully lobbied the University into securing professional leadership of the Big Band-esque ensemble “JAM” or Jazz at Medway (now lea by Peter Cook – Thursdays 5pm, The Galv) as well as the Universities at Medway Chamber Choir (now led by Sarah Dacey – Mondays 6pm, Medway Building) who have upcoming plans to become an UMSA Society in their own right. Both ensembles had a number of great performances last term, at Medway Law Group’s Annual Dinner and the UMSA Carol Concert in December. Our society memberships have smashed our peak from last year, and we’re well on target to break 100 members by the end of the year.
Music Soc’s infamous Tuesday nights in Coopers Bar continue this term with a unique mixture of old (band nights, open mic, rockaoke) and new (Music Soc vs Music Dept, Socials, Folk Night) over the coming weeks. To keep up with the news of these, upcoming executive elections as well as our contributions to the Asian Society’s Culture Shock, Diversity Celebration Fayre and the UMSA Summer Party join us online through…
If you’ve ever wondered what composer Benjamin Britten might have been listening to, as he took his post-prandial ‘composing walks’ around Aldeburgh in the afternoon, now you can find out.
Famed wildlife sound-recordist Chris Watson has spent a year following in the composer’s footsteps, armed with a microphone – a clip of his findings is available to listen to, in his article inThe Guardian earlier this week.
From birdsong to pealing church-bells, it’s an evocative exploration of the soundworld surrounding Britten’s daily walks through the Suffolk countryside – and all from the comfort of your own armchair.
Continuing the series profiing some of this year’s new University Music Scholars. This week, tuba-player 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.
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.
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.
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.
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…
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.
