Tag Archives: Big Band

A busy week ahead…

It’s still a ridiculously busy time for music at the University as the last three weeks of term draw on: Wednesday sees the Concert and Big Bands teaming up with St. Edmund’s School Big Band in a charity event, as they support the Lady Mayoress’ Charities this year, as written about in the previous post: additionally, on Friday, the University Cecilian Choir and Brass Ensemble perform ‘The Grand Tour,’ a sequence of music and readings celebrating the cultural odyssey around Europe, at St. Paul’s Church, Canterbury; the concert is in aid of St. Paul’s organ restoration fund (as blogged about on the choral blog, Cantus Firmus, here).

Further details about both events in the on-line calendar here.

And then there’s four events next week: more details to come… Keep up!

Clash of the Titans: Big Bands 3!

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.

See you there!

Prepare to raise the roof: Have A Blast!

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.