Tag Archives: Music Scholars

Summer Music Week: events now online

And with the sound of heralding in the distance, the clarion-call of trumpets and a celestial choir, we are delighted to announce that the full line-up of events for Summer Music Week has now been published online.

summer_music_flowerThe annual music celebration of the end of the University year starts with the University Big Band beside the seaside, performing at Deal Bandstand in support of Porchlight on Sunday 8 June at 2.30pm. Events then continue throughout the week – choral music, jazz, Big Band Gala, Music Scholars‘ recital, period-costume with the Dance Orchestra, foyer-stage gigs and more – culminating eventually in Music for a Summer’s Day on Sunday 15 June at 3pm, in which the combined forces of the University Chorus, Orchestra, Concert Band and Chamber Choir bid a rousing farewell to the end of another musical year.

Venues this year range from the seaside at Deal to the historic venues of St Thomas’ Hospital and the ancient St Peter’s Anglican Church in Canterbury, as well as the lively foyer-stage and the Colyer-Fergusson concert-hall.

Explore the complete programme online here: plenty to look forward to in this, the last term. Follow #SummerMusicWeek or @UKCSummerMusic on Twitter.

Scholars learn from the great Dame

Several of the University’s singing Music Scholars had the opportunity to learn from one of the country’s leading singers last week, in a masterclass with Dame Anne Evans.

Dame Anne put several singers through their paces, in arias by Mozart and Handel and a piece by Cole Porter, sharing tricks of the trade in front of the audience in the Colyer-Fergusson Hall; as she said, later that evening when appearing In Conversation, ”If you can sing Mozart, you can sing anything.”

Later on, she talked about her career on the national and international stage, looking in particular at her performances at Bayreuth under the baton of Daniel Barenboim, taking the audience from her first professional engagements through the various stages of her career, accompanied by some extremely rare recordings and footage of her in the role of Brunnhilde in scenes from Götterdämmerung.

When asked what her secret was to preparing herself before performances of the epic Wagnerian role, she answered candidly: ”A large bowl of pasta two hours before the performance, and bananas in the interval.” Asked about advice for young singers starting out: ”Start with Mozart,” and ”In auditions, always sing pieces that you are really comfortable with.”

Performers, in order: Kathryn Cox, Philippa Hardimann, Olivia Potter, Vicky Newell, Paris Noble, Marina Ivanova and Steph Richardson, accompanied by Deputy Director of Music, Dan Harding:

Images © Matt Wilson / University of Kent

World-class singer to come to the Colyer-Fergusson Hall

We’re very excited to say that internationally-renowned singer, Dame Anne Evans, will be coming to the Colyer-Fergusson Hall in two weeks’ time.

Meistersinger...
Meistersinger…

Dame Anne will be giving a masterclass and appear ‘In Conversation’ at the Colyer-Fergusson Hall on Friday 8th November. As one of Britain’s most internationally successful singers, she sang a number of roles ranging from J.C. Bach and Mozart to Wagner, and performed  the role of Brünnhilde at the Bayreuth Festival under the baton of Daniel Barenboim from 1989 to 1992.

At 6pm she will be In Conversation with University Director of Music, Susan Wanless, about her career in opera and her experience of performing and recording Wagner in this his bicentenary year, with film excerpts of her roles and some rare recordings. Earlier in the day, at 3pm, Dame Anne will give a masterclass with some of the student Music Scholars, who’ll be singing pieces by Mozart, Handel and Cole Porter (accompanied by your Loyal Correspondent), in which she will no doubt pass on some of her wisdom and professional experience.

Entry is free by ticket, available from the Gulbenkian Booking Office; see online details here. And, to whet your appetite, here she is in the Immolation Scene from Götterdämmerung.

 

Ceremony to recognise outstanding contributions to University music

At this time of the year, as the academic year draws to a close, the University takes the opportunity to recognise the contributions to its musical life from a few outstanding students. At a ceremony last Friday, five students were awarded prizes in honour of their efforts.

Presented by Kerry Barber on behalf of the Canterbury Festival, the Canterbury Festival Prize, which is awarded to a final-year student who has made an outstanding contribution, was awarded to Kathryn Redgers. In her last year studying History,and a University Music Scholar, Kathryn has played principal flute (and piccolo) in the University Symphony Orchestra and Concert Band; she also appeared as soloist in part of Mozart’s Flute & Harp Concerto with the Camerata in a lunchtime concert, and this year has been President of Music Society.

The Colyer-Fergusson Prize, which is awarded to a student who has made an outstanding contribution to organising music-making at Kent, was presented by the Hon Jonathan Monckton, Chair of the Colyer-Fergusson Charitable Trust, to Aisha Bové. A final-year student, studying English & American Literature and English Language & Linguistics, Aisha has worked tirelessly on behalf of music throughout her time here, including being Orchestral representative in her second year and Secretary of the Music Society in this, her final year. She is also Principal cello in the Symphony Orchestra and plays in the String Sinfonia, String Quartet, and sings in the Cecilian Choir. The award is in recognition of her all-round behind-the-scenes organising and administrative skills.

Emma Murton receives her prize from Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Keith Mander
Emma Murton receives her prize from Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Keith Mander

The University Music Prize, for a returning student who has make a major contribution to music at Kent, was awarded jointly to Emma Murton and Steph Richardson. Emma is in her second year studying Drama, and a University Music Scholar; this year, she has been the student conductor of the Chamber Choir, singer in Chamber Choir and Chorus, harpist in Symphony Orchestra and soloist in Britten’s Ceremony of Carols and part of Mozart’s Flute & Harp Concerto in lunchtime concerts.

Steph, also studying Drama, in her third year, is also a University Music Scholar, and has provided the professional polish as the singer with the University Big Band; she also sings in Chamber Choir, conducts Sing!, and has this year formed vocal trio ‘The Canterberries’ which has sung at informal lunchtime concerts, as well as being the vocal coach for the Musical Theatre Society’s production of Rent last term.

The final prize, the University Music Awards Committee Prize, given to a student who has made a special contribution to music at Kent, was awarded to the indefatiguable Jack McDonnell. In his final year studying Music Technology, it’s no exaggeration to say that Jack has revolutionised the musical life of the Medway campus, in his role as this year’s President of the Medway Music Society and Secretary last year, including setting up regular performing nights at Coopers (the campus bar), organising events, arranging deals for music students with shops in the town, and generally raising the profile of music at Medway.

Jack Mcdonnell (l), Steph Richardson, Aisha Bove with Keith Mander, Jonathan Monckton and Kerry of Canterbury Festival
Jack Mcdonnell (l), Steph Richardson, Kathryn Redgers and Aisha Bové with Professor Keith Mander, the Hon Jonathan Monckton and Kerry Barber of Canterbury Festival

(Alas, such is her diligence, Emma couldn’t stay until the end of the ceremony, as she had to dash back to her job!)

The Music Awards Committee has a difficult decision to make each year, a task made almost impossible in the face of the large numbers of students who participate regularly, and with such vibrant enthusiasm, in all the music-making that goes on at the University. But it’s a chance for us to pay especial tribute to a few who have made a significant impact through their involvement in the musical life of the University, and our thanks and congratulations to them.

Scholars’ Spotlight: Christopher Murrell

Continuing the series highlighting some of this year’s University Music Schlolars. This week, percussionist Christopher Murrell.

 

My musical aspirations started quite young with the hope to learn the trombone at primary school. However I was told I was unable to, due to being…*ahem*…Too Short! I soon turned to a more rebellious idea and upon starting secondary school at the Littlehampton Community School (later renamed “The Littlehampton Academy”) I applied for lessons in Drum Kit. Before even starting kit lessons I joined a Steel Band that my Form Tutor (also the head of music) was setting up. The steel band performed at many types of venue, from local fetes and school concerts, to very honourable performances on our Paris tour in 2009. These included the stage outside “Notre Dame” and the Fantasy stage at Disneyland Paris! During my 5 years with the band I had played various accompanying parts as well as being one of the key solo players for numerous pieces. I left the band after leaving school to go to Worthing College for my A-levels (including Music A-level).

In addition to the steel band I was also involved with: the school orchestra for the Christmas productions, the school funk band, the school jazz band, the school samba band, and a Rock band I formed with a friend. The Rock band started off with just 2 of us and after only 6 months together, we came runners up in our school’s Battle of the Bands. We then found a keyboard player, and a year later we placed first and won a £200 recording session at a local studio. We recorded 2 EPs in our time together, all our own songs written by our lead guitarist.

I owe a lot to one of my school music teachers, Steve Winter, who invited me to join a band he played with, The Littlehampton Concert Band. This was the most important opportunity I have ever been given because it introduced me to the orchestral world of a percussionist and helped me to achieve Grade 6 Trinity guildhall (with distinction) followed by Grade 8 Trinity guildhall (with distinction). I later joined the Southdowns Concert Band as the principle drummer, under the direction of Tom Hodge MBE BMus(Hons) LRSM AMusTCL CTABRSM, who is Warrant Officer 1 of the royal marines band service.

Upon starting the University of Kent as a Physics student, I have been showered with musical opportunity. From being chosen to drum alongside the current drummer for the Concert Band and Big Band, to a potential place in a folk band, to being chosen to perform in the band for the Musical Theatre Society’s production of “RENT”. I am enjoying being a part of the University music scene and all I can do is be proud of what I achieve.

Chris Murrell.

Read the other profiles in the series here.

Scholars’ Spotlight: Rebecca Fanning

Continuing the series profiling this year’s Music Scholars. This week, trumpet-specialist Rebecca Fanning.

 

I first picked up the trumpet aged 7 when my Mum asked me if I wanted to play a musical instrument. None of the music teachers at school had any space except the brass teacher who decided to take me on. After asking me what particular brass instrument I wanted to play and me not knowing there were any other brass instruments, I chose the trumpet!

Brass cheek! Rebecca Fanning
Brass cheek! Rebecca Fanning

I steadily worked my way through the clubs and bands at Redbridge Music School, attending Wind bands, Jazz bands and Brass Bands until I arrived in the Symphony Orchestra there. While with the Symphony Orchestra I was privileged enough to play at the Royal Albert Hall in 2012 which has to be the highlight of my Musical Education! I have also spent nine happy summers at Beauchamp House Summer Music Camps in Gloucestershire which is where I developed my love for music and built up my confidence to experiment with improvisation.

When choosing my University it was important for me to find a place where I could continue my musical education and Kent did just that. I have started lessons with Alex Caldon and I look forward to starting on new repertoire for my Diploma this term with him. It was a real privilege to have been given the opportunity by the music department to see Alison Balsom play the Hummel Trumpet Concerto, the same piece that I played for my grade 8 and whom I admire greatly for breaking the stereotype that the trumpet is not, stereotypically a ‘girly’ instrument.

I had a very busy first term playing with the University Concert Band, Big  Band and Orchestra preparing for the grand opening of the Coyler-Fergusson building which was a truly fabulous event. The new building has provided a wonderful space where music can be celebrated on Campus and I look forward to using the facilities and working with the Music Department further during my time at Kent University.

Rebecca Fanning

See all the other features in this series here.