Over on ‘Playing Up,’ a look back at yesterday’s rehearsal with the Chorus and Orchestra – and tenor soloist – ahead of Saturday’s Colyer-Fergusson Cathedral Concert.
Achieved was some glorious work…
Tag Archives: Chorus
On a Haydn to nothing with the cellos ?
As the cellists know, it’s green-light for this weekend’s all-day rehearsal on Haydn’s The Creation with the Choir and Orchestra ahead of the Cathedral Concert a week on Saturday.
Sunday will see the combined forces gather in Eliot Hall to rehearse together for the first time, in preparation for the concert; next week sees a particularly busy time for the University’s musicians, with rehearsals on Monday, Thursday and Friday; not to mention the rehearsal in the Cathedral itself on the morning of the day.
Details of the concert on our online diary here. It should prove to be a memorable occasion…
New concert diary now online
Looking at the new concert diary over the next four months, I think it’s fair to say this is one of the busiest I’ve seen here at the University.
Events kick off in a few week’s time with the award-winning St James Quintet opening the Lunchtime Concert series for the term with an eclectic programme for wind quintet. February begins with a bang as the Concert and Big Bands storm back to the Gulbenkian in ‘Nice ‘n’ Easy,’ with a selection including classic Duke Ellington and pieces fromWicked, to name but a few; the Chamber Choir will take you on an evocative journey ‘From Morn to Midnight‘ in the intimacy of Canterbury Cathedral Crypt towards the end of the month.
March promises to be an epic month; there’s the glory of the Colyer-Fergusson Cathedral Concert as the Chorus and Symphony Orchestra unite in Haydn’s Creation; student and staff musicians in Jazz @ 5; the exciting prospect of Korngold’s lyrical second string quartet with the Brodskys; exoticism from the Bamboo and Silk Ensemble; not one – not two – but three bands as the Concert and Big Bands team up with St. Edmund’s School for Big Bands3, before the term finishes with a valedictory lunchtime concert at St Peter’s Church in Canterbury from the newly-founded University Mistral Ensemble and the Chamber Choir.
Phew.
Click here to view online, and get the dates in your diaries now, or download a copy of the brochure as a PDF. Something for everyone…
Around the blogs this week…
Director of Music, Susan Wanless, reflects on the mighty concert with the Chorus and Symphony Orchestra last Saturday on ‘Playing Up…’
Whilst the Chamber Choir takes part in the annual University Carol Service in the candle-lit grandeur of Canterbury Cathedral over on ‘Cantus Firmus.’
Music from England and Russia: Chorus and Orchestra concert
Tomorrow’s concert sees the Symphony Orchestra and Chorus showcasing twentieth-century music from England and Russia: Parry’s enduringly-popular I Was Glad, a rare chance to hear Finzi’s For St Cecilia, Lyadov’s The Enchanted Lake, and the programme comes to a triumphant conclusion with Mussorgsky’s mighty Pictures at an Exhibition.
The concert begins at 7.30pm in Eliot Hall: further details and ticket-bookings on-line here.
Was It Good For You: Siobhan Harper
Continuing the series profiling musical alumni of the University of Kent. This week, Siobhan Harper.
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When were you at Kent?
I was at Kent from September 2006 until July 2009.
What subject did you study?
English Literature and Film Studies.
What occupation are you now engaged in?
I’m doing a Masters degree in English at the University of Exeter.
If music is not your profession, do you participate in any musical experiences now?
I’m not sure I’d cope if I wasn’t doing something musical! After I graduated I was in the City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus for a year, which was fantastic; we did loads of amazing pieces with some renowned conductors, and went on tour to Kuala Lumpur! Currently I’m in the Exeter University Singers, which is basically like a larger chamber choir. In fact, we’ve done a few of the same pieces that we did at Kent!
How were you involved in music whilst at Kent?
I was in the Chamber Choir and Chorus for the whole of my three years, in the society committee for the last two, and I had a singing scholarship and a music lesson scholarship. I also performed at Jazz @ 5, and at ArtsFest as part of Three Divas and a Piano. I think I had more contact hours with the music department than with my course!
What did you gain from your University music experience, and has this helped you in any way since leaving Kent?
Definitely most importantly, I made some of my best friends through the music society, friends that I still can’t seem to get rid of! Every crypt concert we’re reunited as a big group and it’s always one of the best nights of the year.
Knowing that I can handle doing a university course and being an active part of a society is fantastic. Both required so much organisation and time management, and it’s great to know that I am capable of handling those two disparate things. The knowledge that I wanted to be doing all things musical alongside all my work was also fantastic; music has always been such a big part of my life and I loved being able to continue with it at university.
And, of course, my balloon-blowing skills have come along in leaps and bounds, thanks to ArtsFest.
What was your most memorable musical experience at Kent?
One particularly wonderful memory is of Jacob Barnes, Chamber Choir’s accompanist for my first two years of university. In our first crypt concert in 2007, Jacob performed, and it was the highlight of the concert; he was an extraordinary musician and we were all blown away by his performance. I wasn’t lucky enough to know him as well as others did, but I have the deepest sympathy for his friends and family. Rest in peace, Jacob.
My musical experience at Kent was so rich, it’s far too difficult to pick just one memory. So I won’t:
Every Chamber Choir crypt concert, and every post-concert trip to the Buttermarket. Paris Tour 2008. African drums in the cathedral crypt. All of Sue’s quotes that we noted down gleefully in every Chorus rehearsal. Sop Central. Tippett Spirituals. Every committee handover meal. Chili con Carne. Sneaking into the VIP tent at ArtsFest. Every chamber choir rehearsal in the OTE. Eric Whitacre’s Sleep. When my party popper didn’t go off during the ‘Champagne Polka’. Here Come The Girls. Having the chorus sing me ‘Happy Birthday’ on my 21st. Howard Skempton, and the signed photographs. Boozy Ss. Staying up to watch the sunrise after ArtsFest 2008.
What an unforgettable experience.
Was It Good For You: Robert Rumble.
Continuing the series profiling musical alumni of the University of Kent. This week, Robert Rumble.
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When were you at Kent ?
2003-2006
What subject did you study ?
BA in History
What occupation are you now engaged in ?
Business Archivist – Marks & Spencer.
If music is not your profession, do you participate in any musical experiences now ?
No, but I’m considering joining my local choral society.
How were you involved in music whilst at Kent ?
University Chorus 2003-2006, Choral Representative 2005-2006
What did you gain from your University music experience, and has this helped you in any way since leaving Kent ?
It is certainly an excellent feature of my CV in the ‘hobbies and interests’ section. I feel this has helped in job interviews.
What was your most memorable musical experience at Kent ?
The 2005 & 2006 Colyer-Fergusson concerts (Verdi Requiem & Mozart).
What would you say to current musical students at the University ?
Embrace and enjoy the Kent Music Society – I have nothing but happy memories from my time in the society.
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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!
Was It Good For You: Dominic Del Nevo
A series profiling musical alumni of the University of Kent. This week, Dominic del Nevo.
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When were you at Kent ?
2002/2003 – 2004/2005
What subject did you study ?
Politics & International Relations
What occupation are you now engaged in ?
Pensions Administration.
If music is not your profession, do you participate in any musical experiences now ?
Yes – I have recently taken on the position of choir director at St Paul’s Church in Canterbury. I also sing with a couple of Canterbury-based chamber choirs.
How were you involved in music whilst at Kent ?
I sang with the Chamber Choir for two years and conducted it in my final year. I was the Secretary of the Music Society in my secnd year. I also sang with the University Chorus, and did the occasional stint of barbershop singing.
What did you gain from your University music experience, and has this helped you in any way since leaving Kent ?
It was certainly a lot of fun, and I gained some great friends (and a fiancée, now wife!) in the process. I was able to take advantage of some brilliant opportunities – singing and conducting in the Crypt of the Cathedral, and solo singing in the Cathedral and elsewhere. The experience of conducting the Chamber Choir is one of the reasons why I’m now conducting a church choir every week.
What was your most memorable musical experience at Kent ?
Being involved in the first ArtsFest – it was so different from ‘just’ the Prom concerts of previous years, and a really exciting and unpredictable event…plus the weather was perfect!
What would you say to current musical students at the University ? (optional!)
Come and join St Paul’s Church choir! But seriously, take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way, you may not get another chance.
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If you’re a musical alumnus and would like to be featured, get in touch via the Music Department website: we’d love to hear from you!