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.’
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.
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.
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!
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!
Continuing the series profiling musical alumni of the University of Kent. This week, Dan Wheeler.
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When were you at Kent ?
I was at Kent from 2005-08, although I never quite got around to leaving Canterbury…
What subject did you study ?
Law, although from about the second term onwards you would have thought I was doing a Music degree!
What occupation are you now engaged in ?
The civil service, occasionally making use of my degree!
If music is not your profession, do you participate in any musical experiences now ?
Having never left Canterbury I am still involved in music at the University; singing in the University Chorus whilst also playing tuba and bass guitar in the University Concert and Big Band. I also sing regularly with St Stephen’s church choir (based in the Hales Place area) in weekly services, occasionally covering Evensong services at Canterbury and Rochester Cathedrals.
How were you involved in music whilst at Kent ?
In almost every way possible! I have sung in Chorus and Chamber Choir, played tuba in Concert Band and Orchestra and playing until recently in the Orchestra. In my final year I completed the set by running the Music Society as president.
What did you gain from your University music experience, and has this helped you in any way since leaving Kent ?
Without my University music experience I would not have had the confidence to be where I am today, leaving home and starting a new life in Canterbury. I would not have met all the wonderful people I have come across during my time in numerous rehearsals and made some great friends along the way!
What was your most memorable musical experience at Kent ?
Performing the solo in Cornelius’ Three Kings to almost 1000 people in Canterbury Cathedral in the 2006 carol service; that and sitting through my debut Big Band gig after my guitar broke on the first note…!
What would you say to current musical students at the University ?
I would encourage all musical students to get involved in as much as possible, it is much more enjoyable than the degree (although admittedly this is coming from a law graduate) and from extensive experience of job hunting (!) I invariably end up being asked more about my musical activities than the degree itself!
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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!
Continuing the series profiling former musical students at the University of Kent. This week, Keri Sherman.
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When were you at Kent ?
Autumn 2003 – Spring 2006
What subject did you study ?
Law & Business Administration
What occupation are you now engaged in ?
I am currently a Barrister in The Bahamas.
If music is not your profession, do you participate in any musical experiences now ?
Yes, I rejoined the Bahamas National Youth Choir {a touring Choir and the official national choir of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas} in the Fall of 2008. In addition to performing with the Choir as a chorister and soloist, I have begun freelancing, as it were, as a classical soloist in New Providence. As a freelancer I have had the opportunity to sing for the past two years at the Lyford Cay International Golf Tournament.
How were you involved in music whilst at Kent ?
I received private voice lessons from Sophie Meikle, who is amongst other things a musical assistant at the University, from January of 2004 – 2005. At Sophie’s urging I joined the University Chorus in the fall of 2005 and took part in the Christmas concert at the Canterbury Cathedral. With the University Chorus Itackled singing in Hebrew for the first time when we performed Leonard Bernstein’s work, the Chichester Psalms in the spring of 2006.
What did you gain from your University music experience, and has this helped you in any way since leaving Kent ?
My University music experience made me comfortable as a performer and gave me confidence in my ability as a soloist. And it goes without saying but I received invaluable training and advice from Sophie which has helped me to blossom a musician.
What was your most memorable musical experience at Kent ?
I would say my first performance as a soloist at a student concert in Keynes I believe. I trembled like a leaf through most of the song “Caro Mio Ben”, but I got through it and it was an exhilarating experience!
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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!
A series profiling musical alumni of the University of Kent. This week, Suzannah Lipmann.
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When were you at Kent ?
2005 – 2009
What subject did you study ?
Social Anthropology with a Year in Japan
What occupation are you now engaged in ?
I am a Minor-Metals trader.
If music is not your profession, do you participate in any musical experiences now ?
Yes, I have weekly singing lessons and I am going to be singing Bernstein’s Mass with a choir from the Southbank Centre in July at the Royal Festival Hall. I also am in a band (Jazz/ Rock) with a family friend and my old art teacher from school!
How were you involved in music whilst at Kent ?
In my first year I was a member of the Chamber Choir and in my final year I was a member of the Chorus and a permanent fixture in the first year of Jazz at 5 (Sept 2008 – Jun 2009).
What was your most memorable musical experience at Kent ?
Singing with the Chamber Choir in 2005 in the Christmas concert in Cantebury Cathedral.
What would you say to current musical students at the University ?
Take every opportunity and make time, because no matter how little time you think you have at uni it is nothing like life after uni when you work! I missed a whole year of being involved with singing at uni, because I thought I didn’t have enough time. This was a big mistake as that is a whole year in which you could have improved that bit more. After uni it is so much harder to find a good auditioned choir with people your own age. So definitely do as much as you can while it’s on a plate for you. At the very least you can make friends with whom you share an interest which is rather rare.
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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!
