Tag Archives: Music Society

International Impact, Was It Good For You ?

An unforgettable experience; international student Anne Urabayen reflects on getting involved in music

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Welcoming overseas students to Kent and making them part of the University community is very much part of what we do here in the extra-curricular Music department. In this post, Anne Urabayen, from Bilbao, who has spent the past year studying at Kent, reflects on her experience, which was generously supported by the Barry Wright Legacy.

When I arrived at the University in September, I did not know how important the Music Society was going to be during my year abroad. I have always loved music and I have been playing the viola for more than 10 years now. My favourite part of playing an instrument is being able to create music together, specially in orchestras. I did not want to stop playing for a year and after doing some research I discovered that Kent Uni had a big music programme. I only needed to solve one problem, how to obtain a viola for a year. Thankfully, Sophie and Dan helped me with all the process and I was able to play in the String Sinfonia and in the Orchestra.

The University Orchestra rehearsing in Colyer-Fergusson Hall

During the first few days, I felt a little bit lost but everyone was incredibly welcoming and supportive. The rehearsals were a perfect blend of challenging and fun and it was nice to play with people that shared the same passion. Thank you to Flo (director of the String Sinfonia) and Dan, for conducting the Sinfonia and Orchestra with excitement and always having a smile on their faces. I will never forget Flo’s anecdotes during rehearsals or Dan’s enthusiasm. Thank you to Sophie, who helped me making this possible and is always available for her students.

The String Sinfonia rehearsing in St Mary of Charity church, Faversham: Anne seated second from left.
International student, Anne, playing in the annual concert in Canterbury Cathedral with the University Orchestra.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Orchestra and the String Sinfonia, you made me feel at home. My time with the Music Society at the University is something I will always treasure and everyone in the music society made it an unforgettable experience.

University Orchestra and Chorus rehearsing in Canterbury Cathedral
Was It Good For You ?

Was It Good For You: Felicity Bourdillon reflects

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Recent graduate from the School of Psychology and Music Award holder, soprano Felicity Bourdillon, President of the Music Society 2021-22,reflects on being involved in extra-curricular music as part of her experience at the University.

When I joined Kent, joining the Music Society, and getting involved with the music department was one of the best decisions I made.

Felicity (front row, middle) with the Chamber Choir performing in the Crypt of Canterbury Cathedral.

During my time at the university, I sang in multiple choirs and was able to experience many different opportunities by singing in a number of unique and historical venues; singing in Canterbury Cathedral is always such an amazing experience! The Colyer-Fergusson building is such a special place for many members of the  Music Department as it is where we came together for our rehearsals, concerts and where we share many student memories.

Minerva Voices, the upper voices chamber choir, singing at the University Carol Service in Canterbury Cathedral

During my time in the music department, I gained so much confidence not only as a musician but as an individual. I was able to develop so many skills and found my singing abilities to improve greatly over the years I was at Kent as a result of the opportunities within the Music Department. This is due to being surrounded by so many other young musicians and the amazing music department staff that always encourage and support you to challenge yourself musically.

Filming a Scholars’ Spotlight in Colyer-Fergusson Hall during the pandemic 

By being part of the music department and the Kent Music Society, I was able to meet so many lovely people; joining in first year as a fresher can be so daunting but the members of the music society were so welcoming. Meeting so many people who share the same passion and love for music making is such a lovely experience and working with them towards concerts is very rewarding. The music department is where I met many of my closest friends and to have all these shared music experiences, makes the friendships even stronger.

Felicity making her valedictory speech as the outgoing President of the Music Society at the Gala concert marking the end of Summer Music Week 

Now Hear This!

Catch-up: live webchat with some of the Music Society

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In case you missed it, you can watch again a live webchat with some of this year’s Music Society members, in which they reflect on getting involved in extra-curricular music as part of their experience at the University, and some memorable moments.

Featuring alto Carmen Mackey (reading Drama & Theatre Studies), soprano Harriet Wilde (reading Psychology), and Maddie Rigby (also reading Drama and Theatre Studies).

Watch out for some surprise moments involving some household pets…

Be My Guest

Extra-curricular music at Kent: the Music Society view

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Here’s a pass-the-baton-with-a-difference introduction to being involved in extra-curricular music at the University, from members of this year’s Music Society.

We hear from Music Society President, David Curtiss (Physics), Holly Porton (Architecture), Felicity Bourdillon (Psychology), Amy Tokel (Drama & Theatre Studies), international student Paschalis Kontypyrgos, (Psychology), Ellie Gould (Biomedical Science), Beth Chapman (English Language & Linguistics and German), Harriet Wilde (Psychology),b (Drama & Theatre Studies) and Maddie Rigby (Drama & Theatre Studies).

Filmed in isolation; edited and created by Maddie Rigby

Find out more about getting involved on our website here.

Notes on Music

All the fun of the (Freshers’) Fayre

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We’ve reached the end of Welcome Week here at Kent, at today sees the second day of Freshers’ Fayre on the Canterbury campus. The piazza outside Jarman and the marquee in Eliot car-park  thrum with activity, as the myriad societies vie for punters amongst faces new and old thronging the campus.

Amongst the hordes can be spotted members of the Music Society, who over the past two days have been spreading the word about the profusion of extra-curricular music-making opportunities afforded to students (and staff!) in the University community; yesterday the committee was based in the foyer in Colyer-Fergusson, where the live stage also hosted live chamber music; today, the committee is in the Eliot marquee.

Music Society Exec 2018: l-r Alice Shires (Secretary), Fleur Sumption (President), Molly Richetta (Treasurer)

Well done to all the team involved over the past several days, led from the front by this year’s Music Society President, third-year Fine Art student, Fleur Sumption (pictured above), supported by her very active team. The Music Society will be joined by the Musical Theatre Society at the Music Intro on Monday 24th October at 7.30pm in Colyer-Fergusson, open to all students at the University, to meet Music Department staff, learn more about the various ensembles and sign up for auditions. See you Monday…

Notes on Music

All the fun of the (Freshers’) Fayre

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It’s Welcome Week; it’s Thursday; and that means only one thing; Freshers’ Fayre is in full swing!

Campus is a-thrum with activity as the various societies and organisations endeavour to entice new arrivals to the University; the Music Society is in evidence with a stall both in Colyer-Fergusson foyer as well as in Eliot marquee, together with the Music Theatre Society and RockSoc. Head along to find out more about what’s on offer; there’s even cake, sweets and assorted other goodies awaiting you…

The Music Society will also be in Colyer-Fergusson foyer tomorrow (Friday), and the Music Theatre Society will be performing on the foyer-stage at lunchtime. Come and get involved.

Was It Good For You ?

Was It Good For You: Anna Shinkfield

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Continuing the series in which musical alumni look back on their musical life at Kent: this week, woodwind-player and singer, Anna Shinkfield.

 

Anna Shinkfield
Anna Shinkfield

When were you at Kent?
2007 – 2011

What subject did you study?
English and American Literature

What occupation are you now engaged in?
Arts Admin

If music is not your profession, do you participate in any musical activities now ?
I am not currently involved in anything musical at the moment but I am hoping to find something musical to get involved in soon!

How were you involved in music whilst at Kent ?
I sang in the Chorus, played Flute in Concert Band and Tenor Sax in Big Band all three years I was at Kent as well as receiving a Music Lesson Scholarship. I was also a member of the Music Society Committee in my second and final year.

What did you gain from your University music experience, and has this helped you in any way since leaving Kent?
I think my experiences with the Music Society definitely helped me decide on what I wanted to do career-wise and allowed me to get enough experience to do a Masters in London after my degree.
Everyone says get involved with something at University, join as many clubs as you can – it looks good on your CV. I’m sure I rolled my eyes and brushed these sorts of comments off before and during University. but I can definitely say that it is true as much as you might be bored of hearing it! I’m pretty sure my musical activities have been discussed a lot more than my degree ever has in interviews.

What was your most memorable musical experience at Kent?
I think that would have to be every ArtsFest really (what’s now Summer Music Week). Although spending the morning in Eliot Hall rehearsing and blowing up balloons then rushing between concerts in the afternoon meant I didn’t get to see much of what else was going on I think it was those sorts of days that really made me think that’s what I wanted to do in the future.

What would you say to current musical students at the University ?
Make the most of Music at Kent! I don’t remember the hours spent in the library or Monday mornings in lectures half as well as I remember taking part in rehearsals and concerts.
It can be easy to skip rehearsals especially with essay deadlines and exams but that two hours of music will always be more productive than sitting staring at a screen and will probably give you the break from revision that you need. The rehearsals throughout the week are an excellent excuse to stop staring at computer screens or forcing myself to read books I wasn’t particularly interested in and focus on something a bit different!
Looking back I don’t really remember the hours spent in the library or in lectures but I do remember the rehearsals, concerts and socials.

Notes on Music

All the fun of the Freshers’ Fair

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Well done to the new Music Society team for their hard work both yesterday and today; today the society stall was awash with people signing up amidst a thronging hubbub in the Eliot marquee.

Last year’s President, Emma, cheerfully serenaded passers-by with her accordion – one expected to see spontaneous Morris dancing break out or riotous shanty-ing – whilst the string-players were out in force, with Amy gainfully sporting the sandwich-board whilst Chantelle and Leilan press-ganged – sorry, encouraged – potential Camerata and Orchestra players to sign up.

Elsewhere, the rest of the society team were manning – and womaning! – the society stall amongst the surging hoardes. Well done, team; it all starts next week…!