I’m delighted to see that we’ve been given a double-page spread in the latest issue of the University magazine; the feature includes a review of last year’s Music Scholarship prize-winners; a focus on Humphrey Berney’s musical success after life at Kent; a look at the latest on the Colyer-Fergusson music building; and a look ahead to the last ever concert in Eliot Hall!
Another packed house last Friday greeted several of the University’s Music Scholars, in their annual lunchtime recital at the Festival Club, accompanied by Deputy Director of Music, Dan Harding.
Heart and Sole: Paris Noble and Sarah Davies display their concert footwear
A rare opportunity to hear not one, but two tubas, with third-year Architecture student Chris Gray, accompanied by his teacher, Steve Wassall, giving a deft reading of a Bach Two-Part Invention and the Minuet and Ecossaise from Catelinet’s ‘Suite in Miniature.’ Not only is Chris a member of the Symphony Orchestra, Concert Band and Chorus, he’s also President of the Music Society this year: as he said to me in rehearsal, ”It’s like I’m doing Music with some Architecture on the side.’ A busy man indeed…
Soprano and second-year Drama student Paris Noble swept on-stage to portray three different damsels in distress: O mio babbino caro from Puccini’s ‘Gianni Schicchi,’ Granados’ coquettish El majo discreto, and finishing with Loewe’s dizzying I Could Have Danced All Night from ‘My Fair Lady.’
Second-year Historian, Kathryn Redgers, principal flautist with the Symphony Orchestra and section leader in Concert Band, then gave a dazzling reading of Chaminade’s Concertino, the piece for which Chaminade is chiefly remembered; a child-prodigy, Chaminade once played some of her compositions to Bizet. Kathryn gave an accomplished performance, showing great skill in matching the challenge of the piece’s virtuosic demands, including a finely-crafted cadenza.
Top brass: Steve Wassall and Chris Gray
Final-year English Literature student Sarah Davies, also in Orchestra and Concert Band and Treasurer of the Music Society this year, gave a suitably poised performance of the second movement of Saint-Saëns’ neo-Classical Sonata for Clarinet and Piano, followed by Gershwin’s jazzy Walkin’ the Dog, which had a swggering, sassy swing.
Chris and Steve then showed the tuba can be as fleet of foot as both the flute and clarinet, in the March and Fugue for two tubas by the prolific Derek Bourgeois.
To end the concert, Paris was joined by soprano Marina Ivanova, in her second year and reading Economics, for two operatic duets, the lyrical Flower Duet from Delibes’ ‘Lakmé’ and the lulling barcarolle, Belle Nuit from the ‘Tales of Hoffmann’ by Offenbach.
As the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Keith Mander observed in his closing remarks, the University has a fine crop of musicians and a vibrant musical life, with the Music Scholars at the heart of all its music-making. With the new Marlowe Theatre having just opened, and the Colyer-Fergusson centre for Music Performanc opening next year to house all the University’s music-making, together with the Turner Contemporary gallery in Margate, it really is an exciting time for the cultural life of East Kent and the wider community.
Sarah Davies and Kathryn Redgers
Congratulations to all the performers, and thanks to Sarah Passfield from the Festival team who made us all so welcome.
The slightly damp weather this morning will be lightened with the forecast of some sunny music-making this afternoon, as some of our Music Scholars give their annual lunchtime recital in this year’s Canterbury Festival.
After weeks of rehearsals, the Festival Club will come alive at 1pm to the music of Gershwin, Saint-Saens, Delibes, Granados and more, as some of the stars of tomorrow appear today. We’re in the process of gathering all the logistical equipment together as you read this: music stands, copies of the programme, posh frocks for the sopranos (of course!) and all the other paraphernalia that accompanies a public performance.
See you at the Festival Club on St. Alphege Lane at 1pm; admission is free – last year’s concert was packed out, so make sure you get there early!
Several of the University’s Music Scholars will take centre stage in a lunchtime recital on Friday 28 October, as part of this year’s Canterbury Festival.
Talented singers and instrumentalists on the Scholarship scheme will present a programme rich in variety at the Festival Club on St. Alphege Lane, including instrumental music by Gershwin, Saint-Saëns and Bach, and songs and duets by Granados, Puccini and Delibes, accompanied by the Deputy Director of Music, Dan Harding.
The Festival Club
There’s the chance to enoy a rare pair of duetting tubas, some well-known soprano duets, a dazzling firecracker for flute by Chaminade, and more.
Come and enjoy the buzz of the Festival Club, and hear some of the University’s top musicians in fine form. The recital starts at 1pm; admission is free.
With the Canterbury Festival in full swing, the music department has a foothold in events both this week and next.
KD Jazz Orchestra
This Friday, our very own conductor of the University Concert and Big Bands, the light-fingered Ian Swatman, is appearing at the Festival Club, St. Alphege Lane, at 8.30pm as part of the exuberant and lively KD Jazz and Dance Orchestra. Alongside Ian are several of our visiting instrumental teachers: Peter Cook (sax), Steve Wassell (sousaphone) and Chris Hall (drums), whilst Kevin Dickon (trumpet) also guests with the University Big Band.
Featuring a foot-tapping programme of music including Dixieland jazz and the music of Michael Buble, this’ll have you dancing in the aisles! (If they permit it, he added hastily…).
Next week, some of the University’s young and talented Music Scholars appear in a lunchtime on Friday 28 October: more on that anon…
The rich plethora of artistry that is the annual Canterbury Festival kicks off on Saturday 15 October, bringing a feast of music, theatre, dance, comedy, talks and more to Canterbury.
Of particular note are: a concert with 