{"id":10488,"date":"2021-03-17T08:56:55","date_gmt":"2021-03-17T08:56:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/music-matters\/?p=10488"},"modified":"2023-07-05T14:54:21","modified_gmt":"2023-07-05T13:54:21","slug":"the-barry-wright-legacy-a-generous-gift-to-enhance-the-musical-experiences-of-the-future","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/music-matters\/2021\/03\/17\/the-barry-wright-legacy-a-generous-gift-to-enhance-the-musical-experiences-of-the-future\/","title":{"rendered":"The Barry Wright legacy: a generous gift to enhance the musical experiences of the future"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Music Department is very grateful to have received part of a legacy left to the University by Barry Wright<\/strong>, an alumnus of the University of Kent.<\/p>\n

Barry completed a Diploma in Christian Theology and Ministry as a mature student in the School of European and Cultural Learning, graduating in 2003. During his lifetime, he supported the University as a donor to the Kent Opportunity Fund and supported the Colyer-Fergusson Building, attending the opening event of the award-winning facility in December 2012.<\/p>\n

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An enthusiastic audience at the Gala concert to open the Colyer-Fergusson Building in December 2012<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Music Department delivers a vibrant extra-curricular music provision as part of the experience of life at Kent, ranging from large-scale ensembles such as Chorus, Orchestra, Concert Band and Big Band to chamber ensembles, as part of a rich programme of performances and events each academic year. The end of the academic year is marked by the annual Summer Music Week, a popular series of musical events to mark the end of the University year, involving concerts both in Colyer-Fergusson Hall as well as in the Crypt of Canterbury Cathedral and the Memorial Bandstand at Deal.<\/p>\n

\"\"\u201cBarry\u2019s legacy will greatly enhance the lives of the musical students who pass through the University of Kent,\u201d said Head of Music Performance, Dan Harding \u201cas one of the bequests that generously support the Music department\u2019s activities each year; from concerts on campus and around the region, workshops with professional musicians, exploring new repertoire and keeping the department pianos and instruments in tip-top condition, the legacy is a wonderful gift that will allow the Music department to continue to develop and enrich the lives of students, staff and members of the local community who take part in its activities each academic year.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The annual Summer Gala concert in Colyer-Fergusson Hall<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The University remains grateful to Barry for his generosity during his lifetime and in planning his legacy to enhance the lives of future participants in Kent\u2019s extra-curricular musical life. It’s thanks to support from all its donors that the Music Department in particular is able to continue to provide uplifting experiences to all those who pass through the doors of Colyer-Fergusson.<\/p>\n