Tag Archives: Music Scholars

Scholars’ Spotlight: Christopher Murrell

May 20, 2013 Daniel Harding Leave a comment

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

Scholars’ Spotlight: Rebecca Fanning

March 13, 2013 Daniel Harding Leave a comment

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!

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.

Scholars Spotlight

Scholars’ Spotlight: Cory Adams

February 20, 2013 Daniel Harding Leave a comment

Continuing the series profiling some of this year’s Music Scholars. This week, percussionist Cory Adams.

I was 3 when I got my first drum kit. It was a toy of course, yet I think it did spark my passion for percussion and music. I started taking snare drum lessons when I was 8 years old at primary school; we weren’t fortunate enough to have a drum kit, so kit lessons would have to wait until I started high school.

Kit playing seemed to come naturally to me, and as my teacher saw potential in me, he asked me (when I was 12) to start playing with ‘Saxation’. This was a saxophone ensemble (with rhythm section of course) that was run by members of staff from the Wakefield Music Services. This environment enhanced my playing dramatically, so I immediately started playing with the music department at school. I joined the swing band, concert band, orchestra, guitar group and choir- to drum of course! I even joined the folk group to play djembe.

Progressing through the drum kit grades quickly, in year 10 I decided I wanted to become an all round percussionist. Therefore my teacher introduced me to the glorious instruments that are the timpani drums, xylophone, glockenspiel and vibraphone. This did however mean I now had to learn how to read treble and bass clef- it’s so much harder than drum kit music!

At this age (15), when I was preparing for my grade 7 and being the principal percussionist at school and at music centre, I was asked to be the principal percussionist for the Wakefield Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Wakefield Youth Jazz Orchestra. This was a real eye opener. The standard of playing in these ensembles was incredible, and being a ‘newbie’ I was petrified. It didn’t help either when I had to play Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony and the intro to Also Sprach Zarathustra on timpani in my first concert.

It was also at this age when my theatre/show playing was tested. I was asked to play for an amateur dramatics group’s performance of Annie. I had such a great time, however it was disappointing that I couldn’t actually see the performance as I was stuck in the orchestra pit. I must have done a good job, because a year later I was asked to play again, this time for their medley/compilation of various musicals.

I was 16 when my teacher asked me to play with him for the Wakefield Metropolitan Brass Band. My initial reaction was, “you mean the youth band?” His response was, “No, I mean the proper one”. I could not have been more ecstatic- the band are a Championship Section band, which play against the likes of Black Dyke, Brighouse and Rastrick and Grimethorpe- the band that play in the film ‘Brassed Off’. This was the start of my dramatic improvement in all forms of percussion. I soon later (in 2011) completed my grade 8 with distinction.

From loud and raucous music to the soft tranquil haven that is Jazz. I have been playing jazz for 3 years now in a trio back home, and I have to tell you- it is a real money earner! And everyone knows we all need a bit of money now and then. I was quite sad to be leaving my trio when I came to university; however I didn’t know I’d be meeting three awesome jazz musicians. I now play with these guys and we are The Colossus Quartet- we are taking bookings so please get in touch!

I should now probably talk about what I actually do at University. Aside from the jazz quartet I play with the University Concert Band, Big Band and Orchestra. I love playing with these bands as I get to play so much tuned percussion; my tuned ability really has improved because of this. I look forward to my years at Kent being involved with the music department, I’ve already made many great friends and I’m sure I will make many more.

Cory Adams

Read the other profiles in the series here.

Notes on Music

Celebrating Mozart

February 14, 2013 Daniel Harding Leave a comment

Next week sees the opening concert in this term’s Lunchtime Concert series, a celebration of the music of Mozart with the Camerata, the Sirocco Ensemble, and pianists Sharon Yam and Susan Li.

The Sirocco Ensemble has been busy rehearsing Mozart’s Serenade no.12 in C minor, while the Camerata is preparing the ‘Andantino’ from the Concerto for Flute and Harp. Last night, the two soloists, Music Scholars Emma Murton and Kathryn Redgers, were warming up in the Hall beforehand…

In rehearsal: Emma Murton (l) and Kathryn Redgers

Also in the concert is a work for piano duet, the Adagio and Allegro in F minor, which will be played by Sharon and Susan, who also played a Mozart duet in the Scholars concert last term. This time, however, they’ll be playing on the Steinway…!

The concert starts at 1.10pm, and admission is free; come along and enjoy a feast of Mozart’s music; details online here.

Sponsors of the Lunchtime Concert series

Scholars Spotlight

Scholars’ Spotlight: Victoria Lockwood

February 12, 2013 Daniel Harding Leave a comment

Continuing the series profiling some of this year’s Music Scholars. This week, woodwind specialist, Victoria Lockwood.

From a very early age, music has always been an integral part of my life. Many of my summer holidays were spent in a tent at various folk festivals, watching my Dad perform with his folk bands. More recently I have begun to make guest appearances with them on stage at various venues, including the Cambridge, Sidmouth and Towersey Folk Festivals. I started having lessons on the clarinet in middle school and then also took up the alto saxophone in secondary school.

I played in a variety of music groups throughout my time in middle and secondary school, from the school orchestra, clarinet group and jazz band, to the soul band, choir and chamber choir. This gave me plenty of opportunities to perform and I’d always find myself in more than one item in a single concert!

In 2010 I was persuaded by the head of music to play the school’s baritone saxophone in the school’s jazz band, which I really enjoyed and ended up playing it in several other groups as well. I was then asked to play ‘Reed 4’ along with teachers, students and professional musicians, in the orchestra for the school’s production of ‘West Side Story’. I had to play clarinet, bass clarinet and baritone saxophone, which ended up being a bit of a squeeze when we had to fit everyone in the pit! In 2012 I also played in the orchestra for the school’s production of Oklahoma. Whilst in sixth form I took A level music.

Outside of school I was actively involved with Milton Keynes Music Service for many years, where I played and performed with the Senior Wind Orchestra on 1st/solo clarinet and with Advanced Jazz on baritone saxophone. In the 2011 Gala Concert in Milton Keynes Theatre, I played the solo clarinet part in Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue.

I have also participated in the Music Service tours to Lake Garda, Italy, and Paris, France, as part of the Wind Orchestra, Big Band and Choir. I travelled to Ghana in 2011 with a small group of students and teachers from MK Music Service to help teach students at a local music organisation, as well as giving concerts in a range of venues.

I love any opportunity to widen my musical experiences and brought back a Djembe from Ghana and also a Sitar from India, where I went as part of a school cultural exchange. Whilst in Ghana I had the opportunity to work with a local drumming group, which was incredible, but after a while it does feel like your hands are going to fall off!

Back home I play alto and baritone saxophone with a soul/funk band, which has given me a chance to write and arrange the horn parts. We have performed at a range of events, from pub gigs to New Year’s Eve, Birthday and Garden parties.

I’m currently playing clarinet in the UKC Symphony Orchestra, and Sirocco group, and alto saxophone in Concert Band, and Big Band. The musical opportunities at Kent have allowed me to experience a broad range of repertoire and I felt privileged to have performed a piece that had been commissioned especially for Concert Band. I really enjoyed playing in the Gala opening of the Colyer-Fergusson building last term and I am looking forward to the concerts coming up this term.

Victoria Lockwood

Read the other profiles in the series here.

Scholars Spotlight

Scholars’ Spotlight: Matthew Baldwin

January 30, 2013 Daniel Harding Leave a comment

Continuing the series profiing some of this year’s new University Music Scholars. This week, tuba-player 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.

Matt Baldwin

See all the other features in this series here.

Scholars Spotlight

Scholars’ Spotlight: Victoria Newell

January 23, 2013 Daniel Harding Leave a comment

Beginning the series profiling some of this year’s University Music Scholars: this week, 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.

Victoria Newell

Read the other profiles in the series here.

Keeping It Real: reviews.

In pictures: Music Scholars lunchtime concert in the new hall

November 8, 2012 Daniel Harding Leave a comment

So, it finally happened; yesterday saw the first public event in the new Colyer-Fergusson Hall, a lunchtime recital given by some of this year’s Music Scholars.

An enthusiastic audience greeted the performers with terrific warmth – and how fitting that it should be the students, who after all are at the heart of the University’s musical life, who gave the first performance in the new building.