![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/music-matters\/files\/2010\/04\/mambo_jambo.jpg\" "\\"mambo_jambo\\"")
<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n
The series was launched in style by Mambo Jambo<\/a>, a two-piece group who between them played more instruments that you would have thought possible. Using all acoustic instruments and drawing on musical styles from around the world, their repertoire included music from Latin America, Africa, Brazil and bluegrass.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n The English Muse \u2013 November<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n In contrast, the second concert explored Baroque music from Purcell to Handel with a trio of renowned early music performers: Terence Charleston (harpsichord), Anna\u00a0Crookes (soprano) and Penelope\u00a0Spencer (violin). The programme included Purcell\u2019s Sound The Trumpet<\/em> and a Handel cantata of outrageous musical inventiveness.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Carnival of the Animals – November<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The influence of the Darwin centenary celebrations was\u00a0apparent in the last lunchtime concert of the Autumn term, a performance of Saint-Saens\u2019 enduringly popular Carnival of the Animals <\/em>by the University Camerata. Playing to a packed theatre, the ensemble featured musical staff of the University, ranging from a Deputy Vice-Chancellor to the Director of the Unit for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning, as well as various visiting music teachers. The concert was a part of the University-wide Darwin celebrations, and even featured a guest appearance by Darwin himself, who bore a rather uncanny resemblence to the Drama department’s Dr. Olly Double…\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n which included several of the visiting Music Department staff. An enthusiastic audience were treated to a vivacious mixture of songs from the 1940\u2019s to combat \u2018Blue Monday\u2019s\u2019 blues. Saxophonist and singer Peter Cook didn’t allow himself to be incovenienced by a cold, as he had handily brought a megaphone for that authentic sound. Some solid support from sousaphone player Steve Wassall was matched by some light-footed improvisation from Ian Swatman.\u00a0<\/p>\n Gofannon Brass – March <\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The concert series was brought to a close in heraldic fashion by Gofannon Brass,\u00a0 founded by trumpeter and visiting teacher Alex Caldon. The five-piece ensemble comprises players from major London orchestras and West End theatre productions.\u00a0The group is named after the ancient Celtic god of metal-workers who,\u00a0with all the fine brass instruments on display,\u00a0must surely have been delighted.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n As ever, our thanks to the firm of Furley Page Solicitors<\/a>, who generously continue to sponsor the Lunchtime Concert series and allow the University to bring such an array of professional talent into the community. For further information about Furley Page Solicitors, visit their website here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n