Indigo 852

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It’s the end of the world as we know it?

Indigo Editor Samuel Lopes o ers his opinion on typical Freshers advice

Where to begin? Usually, when I come to write one of these, there’s a key event that sticks out as the focus for the piece. This time, however, there’s simply too many. The cost-of-living crisis, a new PM, the Queen dying. The list stretches on. And then, - wham! - back to Durham, which in against all odds has managed to remain remarkably similar to how I remember it. They’ve changed the layout in the Market Square Tesco, but the old hits are the same. The weather’s still awful, and the cathedral’s still there. It’s comforting, in a way.

My first instinct is also to retreat to the familiar and give some selfimportant spiel that, in truth, probably would boil down to the same old advice given to freshers every year (ironically, the advice pro ered never seems to change all that much). ‘Be yourself’. ‘Take some risks’. It’s tempting to cling onto to these phrases as something that is essentially true - a welcome buoy amidst the strong riptides of current events. And, as with most advice, it doesn’t seem to mean very much. So, I’ll try not to do that, at the very least.

the news might be saying, change can be both good and bad. If you are a fresher, Durham is a blank canvas; do something you wouldn’t have done a year or even a day ago. Hell, order a di erent drink at Starbucks. If you’re a returning student – I think that the meaning can morph to fit for you too. Although your personal Durham canvas may not be so blank, there is still ample room to experiment and break out of stale rituals that, despite their familiarity, may be holding you back.

As the world around us has changed, so has Indigo. We’ve gone on a hiring spree and are very excited to share this edition with you. I’d especially like to welcome our new Indigo editor, Miriam Mitchell, who I’m sure will do an excellent job alongside myself over the coming term.

On page 8, Visual Arts explores the use of colour in classical artworks, and on pages 10 & 11, Film and TV gives some interesting recommendation for things to watch over autumn. I’m thrilled with how quickly our new editors have taken to their roles, and so grateful for the existing ones that have shared their skills and expertise with our new hires.

But there is something to be said for the aphorism. And, like humans, these short, sharp phrases can adapt to their current surroundings and can reflect both the swirling tumult of global events and our own personal struggles. Selfishly, they also fit quite nicely into a 600-word editorial. Here’s one, from Pascal – ‘The heart has its reasons of which reason does not know’ - the interpretation of which, I shall leave to you. It might bring up thoughts of a short-lived fling, or why you decided to go clubbing for the third night in a row (on the latter, I speak from experience; the hangover usually isn’t worth it).

So, I think that it’s only right that I o er my own aphorism, to attempt to break the cycle of rubbish advice to freshers. If I had to give one trite phrase (and only one), here’s what I would go with – ‘think di erent’. Like the device I’m writing this on, it owes something to Steve Jobs; it was Apple’s slogan in the late ‘90s and is still printed on the back of iMac boxes today. I think it has relevance to students too – for one, thinking di erently usually gets you the best marks on essays.

It’s also an invitation to not only think but do di erent – despite what

CONTENT

Travel (Page

(Pages

Indigo logo: Adeline Zhao

Cover image: Anna Kuptsova

Closing image: Rosie Bromiley

TEAM

Samuel Lopes, Miriam Mitchell, Melissa Rumbold, Amy Whittaker, Izzy Tighe, Roshni Suresh Babu, Ruhee Parelkar, Annie Pickup, Annabelle Bulag, Tom Benns, Alexa Thanni, Ella Al-Khalil Coyle, Lizzie Buckley , Theo Mudhir, Cameron Beech and James Macfarlane, Lily Lake and Lydia Doye, Agnes Shu, Caitlin Ball, Eve Kirmam, Millie Adams, Lara Moamar, Emilia Williams, Charlotte Grimwade, and Alice Purves

CONTACT

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Illustration credits (from left): Adeline Zhao, Anna Kuptsova

It’s tempting to cling onto to these phrases as something that is essentially true - a welcome buoy amidst the strong currents of current events

Artwork of the week by Olivia Kemp

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Escapes from the Durham Bubble

Need to get away? Nicole Wu shares all her favourite spots in and around County Durham

Durham

is well-known for being one of the smallest cities in the UK and it’s the hugest blessing that you can walk almost anywhere in the city within half an hour. Yet the Durham Bubble can quickly become su ocating, so here are some recommendations if you need to get out and see the local sites.

The Durham Bubble can quickly become su ocating

Lesser known sites in Durham City that you can walk to:

Wharton Park: There’s a large hill to battle on the way, but above Durham Train station is Wharton Park with a gorgeous view over Durham. It’s a great spot to go and see the skyline of Durham for the first time and a nice place to rest before hopping on the train. The park also has a community garden that o ers potted plants for a small donation - great to find those plant friends who will keep you company over the next few years here.

Botanical Gardens: Towards the south of Durham, behind Grey College and the Mathematics department is Durham’s Botanical Gardens. It’s free for students to visit and is a great place to go and enjoy some nature. Each segment of the gardens is split into di erent regions of plant species and there is even a blossom tree garden that is especially beautiful during spring. It also opens up onto a much larger part of the woods and features a nice walk in the nature, this often gets muddy in the winter months so would recommend good footwear.

Finchale Priory: (pronounced “finkle”) Still within walkable distance, but slightly furtherout is Finchale Priory. It takes around 2 hours to walk there at a leisurely place: lots of views rambling along fields, woods and along the river. There is a café waiting on the other side as well as the opportunity to go inside the remains of the priory and explore the historic grounds. This is a great way to get out the city and follow the historical trail of monks long ago. The walk also features a stunning view of Belmont train station, a disused railway track, it is hidden amongst the trees so presents a formidable view once you encounter it.

Mills

Places to visit by bus or car:

Penshaw monument: Accessible by bus, Penshaw monument is located in County Durham. The looming 70 foot high structure is a replica of the Temple of Hephaestus in Athens making it a bizarre yet awe-inspiring sight when set against the pleasant British countryside. The monument itself is free to visit and there is sometimes the opportunity to pay to ascend one of the columns. Nearby is a farm shop, café and garden centre which constitute a lovely day out of the city as well as Herrington Country Park just next door.

Seaham: Durham’s closest coastal town is Seaham, accessible in under an hour by bus. Seaham is known for its pebble beaches and sea glass from old glass factories - you may find many people searching on the beaches for small pieces of smoothed glass which have been smoothed by decades of tumbling in the waters. Although the waters are often bitterly cold, it’s a great place to walk and sit, taking in the sounds of the waves.

Places to visit by train:

Newcastle: Less than ten minutes away is our neighbouring city of Newcastle, perhaps described most simply as the alter-ego of Durham City. It’s really easy to get to by both bus and train and features plenty of nightlife, live music and cultural events. Recommendations include: the BALTIC Art Gallery, Northumberland Street for shopping, The Cluny as a live music venue and bar.

Easy to get to by bus or train, it features plenty of nightlife, live music and cultural events

York: Less than an hour down the East Coast mainline is York, a pretty historical city and while very similar to Durham, there’s a lot more to do due to its size. The stunning York Minster overlooks the city, you can visit the Railway Museum or Jorvik Viking Museum. There are tons of small independent shops down the Shambles and York has one of the most beautiful Christmas Markets. Most of the city is encircled by York’s City Walls. These take around two hours to complete and o er a unique perspective on the city.

It’s a great place to walk and sit, taking in the sounds of the waves

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The ultimate Durham bucket list

Bonnie Green shares the must-do experiences for the perfect Durham first year

There

are so many di erent things to explore and experience during your first year in Durham, both university related and totally separate. Here are some of my favourite Durham staples that I think have got to be on any Fresher’s first year bucket list!

CLUBS

Despite the rather spectacular claim to fame of hosting one of the UK’s worst nightclubs, Durham really does have a vibrant and fun nightlife. Klute has certainly proven itself to be a fresher’s week favourite, with feel-good tunes and High School Musical singalongs, cocktail buckets, and guaranteed great vibes! Jimmies is also a go to and I’m sure it will be ticked o every fresher’s bucket list pretty quickly. With fish to welcome you on the way in, an outside area more fun than most other clubs, and the signature ‘Woodgate’ drink, you really can’t go wrong!

CAFES

If going for brunch is your thing, you will be pleased to discover that Durham is filled with loads of picturesque and cosy co ee spots, leaving plenty of options for study sessions or catch ups with your friends. Leonard’s is my personal favourite, tucked away from the centre of town in Fowler’s Yard, serving the best iced co ees, cakes, and mu ns in Durham! Chapters is also a must, and is the best spot for people watching whilst sipping on a latte in one of the many window seats, or outside if the sun is shining. Café Dral is definitely the friendliest café, with the most Instagram-able exterior and amazing lunch menu. Managing to bag one of the outside tables has got to be on the first-year bucket list for sure!

ACTIVITIES

Hiring one of the river boats is a great way to experience the Durham scenery and have some fun! Whether you fancy a cute date, or piling all your mates into a boat, it is definitely a Durham staple not to miss out on. Visiting the Durham market also got to be on your first-

year bucket list. The market is host to some lovely jewellery sellers and vintage clothing stalls, alongside delicious bakery and cupcake stands that you simply won’t be able to resist! A fun new activity to come to Durham is Lane7 which I think will soon become another bucket list staple, with a ordable bowling, peer pong, and loads of other activities to enjoy. Another Durham staple is going for a picnic or BBQ on the racecourse, and I’m sure most Freshers will end up spending lots of time here during the Easter term. Grab yourself a disposable BBQ, some burgers, drink of choice, a football, speaker, and you’re in for the perfect summer afternoon.

Another Durham staple is going for a picnic or BBQ on the racecourse

SIGHTSEEING

I would also place experiencing the amazing view of the city from Observatory Hill pretty high on any Fresher’s bucket list. The sunrises and sunsets above the Cathedral are beautiful from this spot, but I would recommend checking the weather before you commit to watching the sunrise. If you’re not careful, you will see nothing but fog as I did with my flatmates in Fresher’s week! Exploring all of the

river walks is another lovely way to experience Durham and get familiar with useful shortcuts across the city.

PUBS & BARS

I’ve been really surprised to discover how many second and third years haven’t explored many of our college bars – they are a wonderfully unique aspect of university life at Durham. Bailey and Hill bar crawls are a great way to explore each college and enjoy being in a social, student environment. Whether you fancy sampling each college drink, or just exploring and seeing what each bar has to o er, visiting other college bars is a fantastic way to meet new people. One of the things I love the most about pubs and bars in Durham is the outside seating areas, particularly at the Boatclub and the Swan. They both o er a lovely view of the river and it is definitely worth wrapping up and braving the Michaelmas term cold for!

These are only a few bucket list essentials that are definitely worth exploring during your first year. There is so much more to experience, such as attending your first college ball, discovering Paddy’s curly fries, or braving the queue for a Flat White co ee. I am sure that everyone will soon discover their own Durham staples and hopefully this bucket list will set you on the right path!

Anna Kuptsova

Visiting other college bars is a fantastic way to meet new people

FOOD AND DRINK

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Not feeling so fresh?

Withfresher’s week barely halfway through, the impending call of responsibilities and lectures may (fortunately) still feel very far away. Yet, in just a few days it’ll be time to snap out of the cycle of weekday drinking in hopes to not feel the shame of walking into a 9am lecture late, alone and worst of all - incredibly hungover. However, this, for some, may prove an impossible task due not only to Durham’s eclectic nightlife, but also the classic self-deception of ‘I’ll just have one more…’.

In my experience the more carbohy drates, the better.

In a perfect world, there would be a way to wake up feeling fresh and ready for morning classes as if being herded out of Klute at 2am to the sound of ‘That’s Amore’ was nothing but a distant dream. However, this isn’t the case - instead you’ll most likely find yourself blundering along to campus with a pounding headache. While this is something many Durham students have learnt to tolerate, this may not have to be the case.

Science has not yet found an outright cure for hangovers, but could food help? Here are some of the best hangover foods to keep your cupboards stocked with in the event of an illtimed lecture.

Bananas are known to be so high in potassium that experts warn its dangerous to eat over 2 a day. However, it is these high levels of potassium that can have a benevolent e ect on the body. By replenishing your electrolyte stores, bananas can consequently prevent dehydration and therefore aid a bad headache after a night of drinking.

Pickles (aka gherkins) can help to diminish headaches via pretty much the same mechanism as bananas. However, instead of potassium, they contain an abundance of sodium. Interestingly enough, drinking the brine from a pickle jar is thought to be as e ective an antidote - I’ve known people to claim that drinking a shot of pickle juice before a night out will be enough to prevent a hangover.

While eggs aren’t a viable remedy during the morning rush due to the need to cook them, they are still worth a mention. By containing plenty of cysteine, eggs can help to break down toxic by-products that alcohol leaves in your system.

defeat a hangover once and for all.

If it’s been a particularly good night, then there’s a likely chance that your fridge already has a half-eaten pizza stowed inside. Due to its combination of carbohydrates and dairy, pizza works as a great ailment for hangovers by providing energy and proteins to help you to feel more alert and to counteract the toxicities left behind by alcohol.

The classic self-deception of ‘I’ll just have one more...’

Despite this being all sound science, realistically the chances of anyone sleepily leaving for a lecture equipped with a banana, a pickle and a boiled egg (as appetising as this sounds) are rather slim. When it comes to a hangover, it’s best to replenish yourself with a whole meal – in my experience the more carbohydratess the better. Therefore, for those that don’t fancy a pickle first thing in the morning, here are the some of the best meals to

While noodles aren’t the most conventional hangover remedy, one study has surprisingly found chicken noodle soup to be more successful in preventing dehydration than water or energy drinks. Most noodles are quick and easy to make – a factor which is important to think about when feeling groggy.

Last but by no means least, claimed by some to be ‘the perfect hangover cure’, a Full English Breakfast can help to restore several processes in the body through its many di erent components. mushrooms, tomatoes and beans give glucose that help reduce harmful chemicals; and sausages and bacon provide ample salt to restore electrolytes. However, it is thought that eggs provide the most benefit – with some arguing that they can have you feeling as good as new in just three hours!

Food and Drink editor, Eve Kirman, explores which foods could help cure a hangover

The chances of anyone sleepily leaving for a lecture equipped with a banana, a pickle and a boiled egg are rather slim

It’s claimed that a shot of pickle juice before a night out will be enough to prevent a hangover

books@palatinate.org.uk

Fall reads to lose yourself in

Amy Whitaker, Emily Mitchell, and Annie Pickup give us their autumn picks

It’sthat time of year again - white t-shirts are purged from wardrobes to make way for a vibrant golden wash of cable knit jumpers, quick iced co ee runs melt into long rainy afternoons warming up with a spiced chai tea, and the saltwater-stained sum mer romance novels that accompanied you on your sunbed are shelved as the dark fall evenings begin to call for fittingly dark tales. Autumn means the rustle of leaves crunching underfoot, petrichor in the air and the whis tle of the wind. We asked our contributors to recommend books that capture the essence of fall and here are their suggestions to prepare your TBR for a cosy night in.

Amy Whitaker

When I think of what makes the perfect fall read, there are two distinct kinds of novels I believe we seek to curl up with - the spooky, Gothic reads that plunge you headfirst into the Halloween spirit, and the cosy, atmos pheric reads that wrap you up

a blanket of armour to battle the seasonal depression. So, if you’re tired of re-reading Frankenstein or The Secret History and need some new stories to sink into this autumn, here are a handful of books that I believe em body the season to perfection.

Beginning with spooky reads, no thriller feels more like fall to me than The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware. A perfect recipe of all the classic components of a thriller weaved with haunted-house and evil-child horror tropes, this book literally did keep me up all night for all the right reasons. The story unfolds through letters the narrator is writing to her lawyer from prison while she awaits trial for murder, guiding us through the events that led her there as she worked as a nanny on a remote estate in the Scottish Highlands. It’s deliciously gothic, incredibly fast-paced and the final plot twist does not disappoint.

For fantasy lovers, Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo is an absolutely perfect blend of fantasy with murder-mystery, paranormal horror and a sub-genre that embodies the fall perhaps better than any other - dark academ ia. All 460 pages of this book provide vivid transportation from a depressingly real world of lectures and assignments in the cobbled city of Durham, all the way to a vastly more exhilarating world of secret societies, spirits, rituals, tombs, libraries and Slytherin charac ters playing at being gods at Yale University. Not only is Ninth House spooky and compel ling, but there is also an excellent discus sion at the centre of the novel surrounding privilege and power dynamics in academic settings, and the awful things that entitled rich white boys can often leave in their wake. Do be aware that, amidst all of its magic, this story does not shy away from some upsetting content, including drug abuse, sexual assault, murder and self-harm as well as consider able descriptions of gore.

When it comes to a cosy and atmospheric read to while away the hours with a cup of tea, it simply doesn’t get any better than The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern A simple concept: two ancient magicians set their two best students against one another in a magical competition, but the students don’t know the rules or how their victory will be determined. If you’re a reader who seeks fast-paced plots, this book probably won’t be for you - what makes it so exqui site is Morgenstern’s lush, whimsical prose that unfurls and ensnares your senses like

bonfire smoke, with a romanticism that makes you as the reader feel pivotal to the story. The story is fraught with danger and suspense, yet the Night Circus is one of the most vivid and welcoming literary settings you could wish to retreat into, full of weird and wonderful characters that begin to feel like friends. It’s a book to take your time with, and certainly a worthy companion to carry with you through the cold months of fall.

Emily Mitchell

For me, it is the time for mysteries and (with Halloween soon approaching) a touch of hor ror. I’m going to run through my top eight picks for these nights where the dark draws ever closer.

Some of my all time favourite murder mys teries are A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder series by Holly Jackson. It is such an addic tive, compulsively readable and meticulously plotted series that will keep you at the edge of your seat, with realistic, complex charac ters and a gripping mystery. Every instalment reveals more original and gripping plot twists, culminating in an immaculately plotted trilogy.

Janice Hallett is, for me, the modern-day Christie. Her debut, The Appeal, expertly uses the epistolary form to devastating e ect, lead ing you down the rabbit hole as you become entangled in this village drama while nefari ous acts are being committed right under your nose. I loved how it places the reader squarely in the role of the detective, allow ing you to piece together the little details and discover all the shocking twists and turns. Her sophomore outing, The Twyford Code is one of those books you’ll ruminate over time and time again. It’s an ingenious puzzle that rewards those with a keen eye and will leave armchair detectives reeling time and time again.

The Only Good Indians by Stepehen Graham Jones is the type of book that chills you to your very core and keeps you awake at night, jumping at shadows and thinking about its brilliance. This is horror at its very best, combining genuinely scary action with some excellent social commentary. Horror intrin sically lives in that liminal space between fantasy and reality, which is exemplified here. At its core, this is a story about survival and vengeance in a blood-soaked wave of carnage.

Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M Danforth is a labyrinthine tale in every way, slowly unfolding horror after horror with a sense

of creeping dread and inevitability invading every page. It really draws upon the Gothic tradition in all the best ways and is the kind of book you’ll spend forever picking apart. If like me, you need something to fill the Haunt ing of Bly Manor hole in your life, you need to pick up this darkly entrancingly and beautiful tale. I also love how brilliantly and unapolo getically queer the book is.

Not Good for Maidens by Tori Bovalino is a hauntingly enticing and bloody specta cle of a book. It’s the type of story that sits heavy on your bones after reading and haunts your nightmares. Her reinterpretation of The Goblin Market by Christina Rossetti is a brutal, blood-drenched one, but also one that maintains hope. It honours the essence of the original but spins it into something entirely new, interrogating societal assumptions and the underlying judgement of female sexuality.

To Break a Covenant by Alison Ames utilises that paranormal investigation phe nomenon brilliantly, which is interspersed with the main plot. They’re genuinely creepy and spooky segments that only become more horrifying after the final few pages. This is a gorgeously dark and mysterious book that thrives on its seemingly inevitable doom and destruction. This is a horror novel unlike any other, creeping into your mind and twisting it just enough for you to remember its touch.

Finally, Summer’s Edge by Dana Mele reminded me why Mele is such a force of a writer, particularly when it comes to im maculately plotted mysteries. This is such a well-paced, intense and atmospheric story. The construction of this story is intricate and clever, upending all expectations. To be hon est, I’m still reeling from those twists. Every time you think you have the story figured out, trust me, you have not.

Annie Pickup

For me, the perfect fall read is one that cap tures that captures the autmnal ambience. It’s a time of change, with the literal change of Summer into Winter, as well as returning to campus for a new school year. In this liminal atmosphere, I want a novel that captures this tension, as well as books that feature magic

BOOKS

books@palatinate.org.uk

and spookiness as the year winds towards Halloween. The books I’ve chosen for my fall reads are ones that I think epitomise every thing I want to read this season.

Mikhail Bulgakov’s The Master and Mar garita truly captures everything I could want in a fall read. Witches? Check. Talking cats? Check. Magic tricks? Check. Soviet bureau cracy? Check. This classic piece of Russian literature is surprisingly easy to read, and will consistently keep you entertained and sur prised with its parade of extraordinary events and characters, while simultaneously o ering commentary on communism and social real ism in the context of 1920s Soviet Russia.

To me, fall is the prime time for read ing murder mystery novels (maybe it’s the eerie atmosphere, maybe its the oncoming seasonal depres sion). A new favourite of mine is the Dublin Murder Squad series by French. These can be read out of or der, so feel free to pick whichever instalment interests you the most, but I really enjoyed the first book in the series, In The Woods

This novel kept me on the edge of my seat in psy chological suspense as I raced to uncover the mysteries of the Irish woodlands. It also features some of the most impressive charac ter work I have read in a crime novel - Cas sie and Rob are not protagonists that I will forget.

If Coraline is one of your spooky favourites (whether that be curling up with the novel or watching the film adaptation), I highly rec

ommend checking out two of Neil Gaiman’s lesser known novels; Neverwhere and The Ocean at the End of the Lane.

Neverwhere tells the unusual story of Rich ard Mayhew, a young businessman who is catapulted into a world below the streets of London filled with murderers, magic, and mayhem. It charmingly reads like a children’s book (there are even illustrated editions avail able), but the themes and language is dis tinctly adult. It truly embodies the whimsical nature of autumn, and would be the perfect choice to read this fall.

The Ocean at the End of the Lane cap tures much of the same charm and whimsy. This one follows an unnamed middle aged man (Gaiman’s protago nists tend to follow the same arche type), who returns to his childhood home to attend a funeral and is drawn back into mysterious memories from his past. There’s a dreamlike quality through out the novel, filled with a poignant nostal gia, despite the events being unlike anything from the real world. Wonderfully creepy and atmospheric, I would highly recommend picking this

If you’re interested in non-fiction, I would keenly recommend a fairly unknown novel I read this year; In Search of JD Salinger by Ian Ham . Hamilton attempts to track Salinger, the world-famous author most known for writ ing The Catcher in the Rye and (my per sonal favourite) Franny and Zooey, throughout his life. While writing the biography, Hamilton simultanously muses, and must address, the ethics of his e ortstrying to assimilate the fact that JD Salinger does not want to be tracked down and known to the public, with the task of trying to me morialise the life of one of the great American novelists. This duality makes for a very engag ing read through the life of the author.

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

This fits perfectly into the fall aesthetic. It’s lush, nostalgic with fantastical ele ments set against a dark atmosphere with a story that warms your heart.

We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson

With it’s disturbing and haunting prem ise, this books is deliciously creepy and a perfect companion for a gloomy even ing.

visual.arts@palatinate.org.uk

Putting colour back into antiquity

Visual Arts Editor Cameron Beech delves into the classical world’s colourful history

Whilstvisiting the likes of the Victoria & Albert, and The British Museum,you are likely to come across the marvellous marble statues of Antiquity. Their monochromatic appearance immediately associates them to the classical world, whilst heavily influencing the Neoclassicism movement. However,

its associations with perfectionism and idealism, the colourising of such statues does something di erent. It rather humanises the Ancient world and showcases individuality.

A sublime testament to the capabilities of AI

Fortunately, through a collaboration between Microsoft and the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports, anyone with internet access is able to get a glimpse into the true vibrancy and richness Ancient Greece had to o er. The ‘Ancient Olympia: Common Grounds’ project is a sublime testament to the capabilities of AI. It allows the user to take themselves on a tour of Ancient Olympia in colour, including monuments such as the ‘Temple of Hera’, the ‘Statue of Zeus’ and the ‘Temple of Zeus’. A personal favourite of mine is their reconstruction of ‘Nymphaeon’ c.160 BCE.

Colour breathes life into

In her article ‘The Myth of Whiteness in Classical Sculpture’, Margaret Talbot highlights the 2003 ‘Gods in Color’ exhibition set up by the Liebieghaus in Frankfurt, Germany. The goal of the exhibition was to share with the world, Ancient Greek and Roman statues as they would have existed during their time. But in doing this, they also expanded the minds of the many. How much of what we know about the Classical world is true? And what else remains to be discovered?

The Liebieghaus also have an excellent digital exhibition. For myself, there was one particular moment which really stood out to me. When looking specifically at the statue of the ‘So-called Persian Rider’ c.490 BCE, it appears in the white marble image we have come to associate with the Ancient world. However, sliding the mouse across the screen causes the user to reveal its true decadence and colourful richness.

A remarkable way of including the user in unveiling a key part of Ancient history

The highly pigmented blues, reds and greens found on the rider’s clothing are a magnificent display of artistry. The colours enable the user to engross themselves in the beautifully symmetrical patterns both in regards to shape and colour scheme. The striking contrast between the simplicity of the horse’s design and the complexity of the rider’s clothing works in tandem with the idea of accentuating the relationship between a warrior and his horse, and how they balance eachother out.

The fact the online user themselves have to manually move the mouse to uncover the painted version is a remarkable way of including the user in unveiling a key part of Ancient history. It is through this that the online user becomes an active participant and observer in the rewriting of history. Colour breathes life into art, and this rejuvenation of Ancient world gives such artworks a second life. Whereas the white marble statue connotes legacy and legend, through

What does this mean for our future understanding of the classical world?

Similar to the ‘So-called Persian rider’ sculpture, adding colour to the ‘Nymphaeon’ revitalises it. The colour scheme of reds, blues and greens further compliments the meaning behind the monument.

With its main function being to provide fresh water, the colours of the monument could be read as paying tribute to nature’s elements. The blue on the floor mirroring the water taken from the springs. Green acting as the next layer to represents the Earth depicting nature springing from the ground. Then the final layer being red represents fire and the sun which resides above us. This is simply my interpretation of the Nymphaeon’s colour scheme, but this interpretation is enough to evidence the power

To not just look at what is there, but also what is not

But what does this mean for our future understanding of the Classical world?

IWould John Flaxman’s ‘The Fury of Athamas’ (1794) or Antonio Canova’s ‘Hebe’ (1796) look di erent if these artists had known about the Classical world’s colourful history. To what extent would this impact the Neoclassical movement? Overall, it has caused me to not just look at what is there, but also what is not.

creative.writing@palatinate.org.uk

“The Durham experience”

Nicole Wu, Winona Clinnick and Sophie Sherratt reflect on the Durham Experience as people of colour in this collaborative piece

These

picturesque cobblestone streets force constraint, and falling is all too easy with a mis step.

I teeter on slickened stones in this city unsure if my narrowed eyes and black hair mark out blemishes against its perfect scene

I speak such good English it makes it fine

Dripping anxiety must overflow—roll—tangi ble

at last to be in your space

What joy! Little I! have become the spokesperson for all you de clare exotic.

What a privilege to be the voice of billions; I was taught to hate foreigners.

I prove

I speak such good English, you consider me—fine.

Thistle

of ghastly life, black with rage, I stumble into your embrace.

You hate my skin, its darkness, its beauty, and yet crave its touch.

I am a wonder, a wandering soul from India. But you do not see me.

I am dark for you, light for them.

Velvet pain blooms in my swelling heart with every word you speak, Each word, a chiding permeability…an inevi tability.

To you, I am a ‘non-native speaker’, an ‘exotic Princess’.

I am afraid of your power over me. We fear what we cannot change, and we cannot change what we fear.

But above your words, the divine India does rise, blooming in the season’s poise. But still, you are shattered in crimson, Ageing with anguish.

You writhe and struggle against me, Seldom blindsided by my culture’s beauty.

Your ignorance is like a pillar in my temple of grace.

It makes that sweetness all the more sweet, For the struggles you implore Us to face.

I am scintillating in sa ron, Begging you to join me.

And suddenly, you are crimson, no more.

You kiss your meadow of ignorance goodbye, Joining me in perfect unity. Together, we burn sa ron. A fragrant beauty. And so you see, My mother’s culture in me, And a flash of recognition crosses your eyes, As you are Reborn in Love and Constance.

Sophie Sherratt

Somemornings the compact mirror flashes back onto the invisible window, the larger mirror, and the wall caught between and while all your loom ing edifices, (full of ghosts from the view

beyond)

tag along with the haphazard shadow settling over my eyes… i too, haunt myself. —

that face palely wrong, tunnelling against itself back and forth (like a quiet tennis match full of lethargic competition) through the endless mirror-mirror trainline. those are eyes that can’t be fixed. don’t think for a second that it was ever felt before your tall buildings, untouched snow, heaped laughter, and weird mumblings. it seems to me, and the clear slice of sky in the compact’s image, that the world feels tainted by the utter unfixable nature of the mirrored thousand faces.

since i met you — actually met you — you, you of your superstitious green zones, of your vivienne westwood sneer, of your refined, silvery clinks hours into the night — you, of your rose gold glimmer sweeping past whatever might be next, of your slick success and your pity, of your sheep’s garb — i wonder when, if ever, i can show you again: my smeared eyes of dissipating years and cold apprehension… i left my own ghosts at home — and can’t help dreaming that one day, your towers could spare a room where they might stay.

Winona Clinnick

Nicole Wu

Preparing for uni? Watch Anne With An E

The Netflix adaptation is full of excellent university advice, argues Sophie Sherratt

AnneWith An E is a television series that was first aired in 2017, based on the book Anne of Green Ga bles. The show strives to highlight the power of hard work and resilience in a comedic yet touching manner. Anne ShirleyCuthbert, an orphan who was frequently bul lied by her peers, is the series’ protagonist. She teaches the importance of devotion to one’s craft, which in her case is schoolwork and creative writing.

Anne not only manages to become top of her class through sheer dedication to her studies, but is also passionate about the work she does. This is vital to note in the context of academic life. The most pivotal element of studying that will lead to success is devo tion, whether this arises from extra reading, reviewing lecture notes or starting that over whelming essay a little sooner!

However, passion is just as important. Of ten when studying your chosen subject daily, it is easy for the passion that was once there to dwindle. By reading in your area of inter est, simply for pleasure, or by watching a documentary about your subject, it’ll become clear once again what you once loved about your studies. For Anne in Anne With An E, her passion is perpetuated through the creation of stories. She even goes as far as setting up a cre ative writing group with her friends to do so.

Although work is a key element of univer sity life, the sense of identity and community that forms during one’s time at university is also crucial. Anne With An E’s Muriel Stacy is the newcomer (and Anne’s teacher) in the very tight knit town of Avonlea. She is beloved by many of her peers for her idiosyncrasy and in dividuality. However, it was not always this way

– she was first disliked by pupils and parents alike for her bold clothing and her progressive values. These very qualms the town held about her are eventually perceived as her best traits.

University is about forming an identity, with out a care for what others may think. It is about being courageous and distinctive. And it is also about recognising barriers and moving past them e ectively. Start ing university can involve finding a sense of community by being around like minded individuals. Although Muriel Stacy at first struggles to find those who share her feminist values and desires for change in the patriarchal system, she soon gathers several acquaintances who support her life goals, including Anne herself. University is a vital time to do this: to find compatible friends who will spur you on to pursue what you are most passionate about. Like Anne and Mu riel’s friendship, which stretches across

generations, these friends may be those you least expect to find yourself compatible with. Indeed, despite any adversities, these over all goals can still be achieved. In Anne With An E, the death of Gilbert Blythe’s father, along with his constant work at the farm, act as ob stacles on his path towards academic achieve ment. However, he ultimately manages to find ways to continue his studies and eventually ends up extremely successful at the academy he dreamed of attending. He recognises that academic success isn’t everything, valuing kindness towards his peers and his personal hobbies greatly.

Part of university is the balance we strike between every com plex element of life

These lessons are key when returning to uni versity. It’s okay to have turbulence in life and it is okay that this may a ect your academic work. Part of university is the balance we strike between every complex element of life. This includes extracurricular activities, self-care and spending time with friends, as well as the recognition that failure is a completely natural part of academia, and indeed, life itself.

Image credit (from top): Anna Kuptsova, Victoria Cheng

Starting university can involve finding a sense of community by being around likeminded individuals

Get ready for a Gilmore-inspired first term

When you hear the words ‘study inspiration’, perhaps one of the immediate reactions would be to think of a teenage favourite for many, Gilmore Girls. Although somewhat limited in its cinematic genius and its slightly cringe-worthy writing, its popularity remains intact as its light-hearted nature makes for a show that is easy to tune into after an intense day at the library or whilst eating dinner.

The series begins with one of the two female protagonists, Rory Gilmore, whose lifelong dream of studying at Harvard and pursuing a career in journalism is already underway. Aged only sixteen in the initial episode, we follow her through seven seasons, gripped by her journey through school, university and professional life, admiring her intense academic ambition and perhaps sharing in her experience of an often tumultuous personal life. Whilst the overarch ing theme of the show is undoubtably her re lationship with her mother, Lorelai, it’s almost impossible not to absorb the opaque valedicto rian trope weaving through each episode.

Rory is driven relentlessly by her ambition to succeed, and whilst she occasionally stumbles along the way, she always manages to climb back on to the path she needs to be on. There is a satisfaction in watching Rory achieve aca demically upon hours of hard work, one which can only inspire the viewer to mimic her and absorb her passion in some ways. The various shots of Rory arching over a textbook in a cof fee shop, or absorbed in a thick book in the library, are supplemented by her extracurricu lar pursuits. She works tirelessly for her college newspaper, acting as editor in her final years of university, which only enhances her student experience. The show perfectly examines the di erent elements of student life in prepara tion for future careers, and the di culties this can present. Through Rory’s characterisation as a well-rounded, put together protagonist, the idea of engaging in societies and student groups somewhat livens the image of the aca demic year.

months. There is something so cosy, and so comforting, about beginning a new academic year in the cooler months. It’s the time to ap preciate thick woollen jumpers and the steamy hot co ee. Gilmore Girls creates a similar feel ing to watching a Harry Potter film in prepara tion for October classes to begin, partly due to the warm hues and images of libraries stocked full of dusty texts. Studying in autumn is the perfect time to romanticise your years as a stu dent, with the earlier sunsets and frosty walks to lectures. Gilmore Girls e ortlessly encom passes the warm yet preppy feelings that are easily attributed with autumnal university life.

reminisce on the last few years of my own, yet somewhat sadly provokes the realisation that one day I won’t have a new academic year to look forward to. So, seeing Rory move through the ups and downs of university life and make it through to the other side acts as a poignant reminder of how fleeting the experience really can feel.

Another perfect facet of the show is its ten dency to base its episodes in the autumnal

Rory’s persistent desire to one day study at Harvard serves to act as a reminder of the privi lege it is to study at one of the country’s top universities. It is for this reason, that the show consistently puts me in the mood for the up coming academic year. I cannot help but feel a sense of duty towards my studies, to continue to work at something that I too had dreamt of when I was the same age as Rory in the ini tial season. To then see her gain entry to Yale, and excel in her university life, allows me to

Even though the reality of my academic year probably more so resembles numerous empty cups of co ee on my desk in the Billy B at 3am, with 1,500 words left of my essay due for the following day, it’s harder to romanticise such moments. So, I turn over to television and al low myself to relax into a world where academ ia consists of aesthetically pleasing study spac es and passionate discussions about literature. That, I can romanticise.

TV can provide some much-needed motivation, writes Dherran Titherington-Bragg

E ortlessly encompasses the warm yet preppy feelings that are easily attributed with au tumnal university life

Relax into a world where aca demia consists of aesthetically pleasing study spaces

Assembly Rooms Theatre

Where do I find it? Opposite Hatfield college. It’s nearby the Cathedral, or Lebaneat, depending on what you place as key Durham direction landmarks.

What performances go on there? The main stage for most of the college companies’ student productions. There’s always something on stage and it’s worth checking the digital display boards outside the theatre to see what’s coming up soon.

What’s the space like? With 175 red velvet seats and a proscenium arch stage, this theatre’s a classic. For those of you on production teams, the downstairs area is filled with tech, props, costumes and wall murals of past productions.

stage@palatinate.org.uk

Curtain’s Up!

May not know: you can o er your services supervising or volunteering in the Assembly room’s box o ce. If selling programs and checking tickets might be your thing get in contact with dst.secretary@durham.ac.uk

City Theatre

Where do I find it? This one’s not the easiest to find but the best way to get to this little gem is to head in the direction of Wi Wa . If you take the steps opposite the Yorkshire Trading Co, down past the fancy dress shop, the theatre

is tucked in on the right

What performances go on there? This stage is home to the Durham dramatic society, the local town amateur dramatic group. It also hosts smaller college or more niche companies’ productions. One of the first performances I watched in durham was Allan Bennet’s ‘History boys’ in this venue, and it was completely mesmerising.

What’s the space like? Audience capacity of 71- this space is intimate and in amongst the action. The small stage in a neatly contained room may have the feel of cosy amateur drama but it functions beautifully for smaller productions.

and seats.

What’s the space like? This theatre seats 5001000, complete with an orchestra pit and large stage, it’s worth visiting for an impressive large-scale show.

Hot tip: make sure to book early for any student gala theatre events, they’re real highlights of the theatre calendar and often sell out as many members of the public come to watch too! May not know: Gala has a little cinema which sells all tickets for £5!

And Everywhere Else

Other funky places where students somehow manage to stage productions include:

Mark Hillary Arts and Music Centre: Collingwood’s state of the art studio theatre and music venue, particularly busy spot for the durham drama festival shows.

Gala Theatre

Where do I find it? Nearby Player’s, just on from the St Nic’s church in market square

What performances go on there? The big ones. This is the town’s professional stage so you can go along to see anything from touring comedians, to national theatre live screenings, ballet companies, orchestras, and even pantomimes.

For student productions these are show stopping events put on by DULOG (for large scale musicals) and the Durham Ballet Company, producing professional quality performances that fill up the stage

Caedmon hall: while not dissimilar to a large primary school assembly hall, creative use of this large wooden stage can transform it into a very functional performance venue for large scale musical numbers to smaller serious pieces alike.

Fabio’s bar: possibly my favourite venue for a play, it works wonders for a modern take on shakespeare or high-octane contemporary pieces. Extra bonus to get cocktails in the interval too!

Chad’s chapel: for staging Sartre’s existentialist play set in hell, it’s a small wonder how a production of no exit was allowed in this venue last year. Eerily atmospheric location.

College bars: a winning array of pared-back and gritty small venues for performances of greek tragedies and student written works.

Image credit : Anna Marshall, Thomas Tomlinson

I’d recommend watching productions from smaller companies, such as Sightline and 1tc, that you may not be familiar with. They often prove to be unsuspectingly brilliant evenings widening the range of theatre repertoire beyond more classic shows

Hetty Mentzel shares her guide to Durham’s performance spaces

You are just about able to run to the corner shop to grab snacks in the interval and get back if you’re quick

indigo.interview@palatinate.org.uk

Recipe for success

Interview editor Lara Moamar chats with Hey! Food is Ready co-founders

Yuru

Guo, a Trevelyan postgraduate student, like many others, was stuck in college during lockdown. Left with minimal options for entertainment, she and her friends cooked homemade dinners together often. That experience of shared community and cultural exchange of food sparked the idea for an online marketplace to host cooks of diverse backgrounds, deliver authentic home cooked food to the UK market and “share food cultures and the stories behind food”.

About 9% of UK university students have already started their own business, according to a recent study by Santander - and as of September 2021, Yuru Guo and first year Trevelyan student Francesca Docker are included in this statistic, successfully cofounding Hey! Food is Ready.

I sat down with Yuru and Francesca following their impressive win at Durham’s Blueprint Challenge Such an achievement does not come easily, as Yuru candidly shared she had applied to the competition three times before and had not reached the semi-final round. It is this determination and perseverance that evidently helped Yuru win the Young Innovators Award this year. “Before running a business, I was really bad at handling rejections and I would always take criticism really personally. If I didn’t start a business, I would never learn that you need to be resilient, and put 100% of yourself into it.”

As for Francesca, it is her tendency to take initiative that is most apparent. She describes how she started working on the business: “I saw the idea on our college’s Instagram and I really wanted to be involved in it, so I reached out to Yuru. I’ve always been really interested in business and whenever I’ve met people I ask them a lot of questions, particularly on the marketing side”. Together, they work constantly to come up with new ideas and strategies - both agree emphatically that running a start-up is “like having a baby, you think about it 24/7!”

Food is just an amazing medium for communication

But what is it about Hey! Food is Ready that distinguishes it from other food delivery platforms? Francesca explains, “we’ve been inspired by companies like Deliveroo and JusEat, but what we want to do is bring the kind of authenticity and cultural diversity that we don’t see on these platforms. That’s really our social mission”. Outlined in a recent article in the Harvard Business Review is the need for leaders who are proactive on social issues, identifying an increasing demand by customers that businesses have an observable social impact. In line with this shift stands Yuru and Francesca’s start-up, as their mission of empowerment fuels their decisions and motivation.

“After we launched the platform we always wanted it to help refugees, immigrants, or anyone who loves to cook to generate a meaningful income and to share their culture with the wider community”. Yuru goes on to recall the work they’re doing with several charity organizations in Newcastle such as one to help refugee home cooks receive food hygiene certificates. “Right now we are working with three women, all from di erent areas such as Sudan, Tanzania… I was telling them how our business can help them and at the end of the meeting they were really excited to start and to become food entrepreneurs.” Paired with this financial empowerment is the possibility of connection encouraged by the platform. Yuru expands: “We have a home cook community and for

refugees coming to the UK, a lot of them feel very isolated because they don’t have a lot of friends here. By joining our platform they feel instantly more connected, they can all talk to each other and make friends”.

Around 9.5 million people of the UK population are immigrants from highly diverse backgrounds, making it one of the most multicultural countries. Hey! Food is Ready asks an important question: Why don’t our favourite food delivery platforms reflect this multiculturalism? O ering plenty of homemade dishes from incredibly diverse cuisines, the platform encourages customers to try authentic cultural foods di cult to just pick up at a local restaurant. “Food is just an amazing medium for communication. Think about a family kitchen table, people share the food, they talk about the food, they’ll talk about where the food and home cook is from”, reflects Francesca. Communication and community are clearly major incentives for the Hey! Food is Ready founders who are looking forward to growing the business and plan to work with more organizations in other major cities.

style@palatinate.org.uk

NYFW is all about broccoli and baguettes

Style Editor Caitlin Ball on how New York Fashion Week is, literally, eating up the Y2K trend

Atimes

when the worlds of food and fashion collide, we’ve been conditioned to expect outrageous. Think Lady Gaga’s meat dress at the 2010 VMAs. Or perhaps more recently the Primark X Greggs collaboration.

With a fair few designers opting to turn their SS’23 runways into metaphorical mini-buffets during New York Fashion Week earlier this month, we were left with many a talking-point.

Collina Strada’s SS’23 readyto-wear collection showed that Y2K fashion doesn’t have to be the ozone-guzzling phenomenon that fast-fashion micro-trends are hot on turning it into — what could be more sustainable than sending an actual broccoli bag down the catwalk? Granted, it was dripping with Swarovski crystals which I don’t imagine will work wonders for the compost.

Nevertheless, in this moment the label’s founder Hillary Taymour made good her promise to be ‘radically transparent’ when it comes to sustainability, as she stated in a 2021 interview for ELLE. And who’s to say it hasn’t worked?

The Y2K trend is, in a certain way, all about niche

The Y2K trend is, in a certain way, all about niche. Rare token garments and novelty accessories that encapsulate the essence of a specifc cultural mood — that is, the gaudy, attention-grabbing style of the early 2000s — that could easily raise an eyebrow or two.

It’s fair to say that Collina Strada took this brief and ran with it, leaving the die-hard Y2K Depop fanatics with wardrobes full of overpriced baby-tees practically frothing at the mouth.

One might argue that a ‘broccolbag’ is a bit of an obvious choice and that there are more nuanced ways of demonstrating a commitment to sustainability. But then again Collina Strada are, somewhat ironically, no-nonsense when it comes to making a statement.

In that same ELLE interview Taymour promised her clothing would, in true Y2K fashion, ‘embody humor and youth, and the ability to look inward, even when we seem loud and hyperexpressive on the outside.’

Initially it doesn’t seem like a broccolithemed look would have much to unpick beyond the surface. But it’s nostalgic for a simpler time, for the inner-child which in this era of successive socioeconomic crises we have begun to yearn for more than ever.

Collina Strada wasn’t the only one getting our mouths watering at Y2K

nostalgia, with Fendi putting together a delectable show in celebration of the baguette bag’s 25th birthday.

No doubt we have Carrie Bradshaw being mugged down a New York back-alley to thank for turning the baguette, in and of itself, into an iconic cultural moment. Homage was made to the dearly departed purple sequined baguette — and, in fact, to every kind of baguette conceivable.

The audience were promptly thrust into an illimitable vortex of baguette upon baguette, with minis sewn onto socks as well as gloves and caps, hanging from belt loops and even appropriating the pockets

The energetic vibrancy of Y2K was everywhere to be seen, with bright greens, glittering silvers and — the pièce de résistance — Bella Hadid in a lustrous, baguette-adorned Tiffany blue boiler suit.

Although somewhat lacking inphysical resemblance to the elongated carbohydrate that is its namesake, the baguette was designed to be held neatly under the arm, emulative of the French women of traditions past who did the very same with their loaves.

While we’re on the subject of baked goods, it’s worth noting Dauphinette’s decision to debut a croissant bag, inspired by their croissant lamps which, you may remember, have recently

enjoyed a bout of TikTok fame.

Although not exactly Y2K in essence, the croissant bag helped to cement New York Fashion Week’s obsession with runways that were, quite literally, ft for human consumption.

Such themes have so far failed to make the journey across the pond to London Fashion Week, where a much more acute awareness of the cost-of-living crisis, hand in hand with the Queen’s recent passing has somewhat shifted the focus.

It is tempting to look upon such runways with disapproving eyes, especially from the dire perspective of a student being ushered into the new academic year by a sinister cost-of-living crisis.

When the choice between heating and eating is one many people will be forced to make, it does seem slightly tasteless to bedazzle a broccoli or fasten a gold chain to a croissant, turning precious sustenance into sumptuous accessories.

Not to mention the price we must pay for truly sustainable fashion — I’d imagine that the broccoli bag, although far from the calibre a Fendi baguette, still won’t have you grinning at the price tag.

It’s encouraging to see that sustainability is big in the Durham fashion scene, but I would opt for something a little more likely to hold your textbooks than what the Marketplace Tesco has to offer.

Anna Kuptsova

It does seem slightly tasteless to bedazzle a broccoli or fasten a gold chain to a croissant

music@palatinate.org.uk

2022 Guide to Durham’s Music Ensembles

As the year starts, Music Editor Annabelle Bulag finds out where the music is playing

MusicDurham is the umbrella society for the music societies of Durham University. We, as an organisation, give support to both societies and individuals to further their musical development, whatever their chosen degree. We also help our societies to promote their events, auditions and rehearsals to a wider audience both within our student body and in the local community.

Our regular lunchtime concerts which are open to the public and finish every year with an impressive concert in the Cathedral showcasing our societies. Workshops are run by professional musicians for our members and this year we will be looking into workshops for the skills surrounding music such as marketing and publicity.

There will be a mixture of formal and informal socials with the favourite being the Ball

Music Durham runs some socials throughout the year which are a great opportunity to meet new people within our musical community but outside of your chosen genre or ensembles, there will be a mixture of formal and informal socials with the favourite being the Ball.

We encourage all to explore all the societies we have to o er and go a little bit out of your comfort zone, you never know - you might discover a new genre you never knew you loved.

Sa ron Heddell (Music Durham President, 2022/23)

Durham University Keyboard Instrument Society (DUKIS)

Durham University Keyboard Instrument Society (DUKIS) brings together all of Durham’s pianists, organists, accordionists, harpsichordists, hurdy-gurdists and clavicytheriumists. We meet fortnightly on Thursday evenings in the Music Department Concert Room, where anyone can bring a piece to play and discuss or just come listen and discover new music. Throughout the year, we also organise a number of other events such as socials, masterclasses, concerts and perhaps the odd ‘organ crawl’ around Durham. We set up piano ensembles and o er the opportunity to practice on Durham’s finest instruments. We

can also provide teaching, accompaniment and performance opportunities from Durham’s wider music scene for our members.

Durham University Palatinate Orchestra (DUPO)

Durham University Palatinate Orchestra (DUPO) is one of the university’s auditioned orchestral societies, consisting of a symphony and chamber orchestra. We are entirely student-run, and we perform a diverse range of exciting repertoire in concerts in di erent venues throughout Durham, such as Castle Great Hall and Durham Cathedral. We have lots of socials and embark on a summer tour every year- in June we went to Berlin! DUPO also has a focus on outreach and does a project with the community each year. We run auditions at the start of each academic year, so if you are interested in auditioning, keep an eye out on our social media pages in September. We would love to hear you audition! Follow us on Facebook or Instagram for updates about our concerts.

Workshops are run by professional musicians for our members Durham University Gospel Choir (DUGC)

At Durham University Gospel Choir (DUGC) our ethos reflects the roots of gospel music: community, love and joy. We have been running since 2011, growing from a small choir of 8 to one with over 30 members! We strive for diversity which is reflected in both our choir and our repertoire which ranges from traditional gospel songs and classic black artists to more modern artists such as The

Sunday Service Choir and Stormzy. We are an award-winning choir, coming first runner-up in UCGY 2019 and going on to win in 2020. We regularly perform solo and collaborative concerts as well as being invited to perform for various charity events. We even recently performed on BBC Radio 4! If this sounds like the choir for you then keep an eye out for our audition notices!

Durham University Brass Band (DUBB)

Durham University Brass Band (dubb) is a non-auditioned music ensemble which rehearses every Tuesday during term time. Although the band prides itself on its high standards, rehearsals are fun and inclusive spaces, providing the opportunity to play both challenging and enjoyable music. Brass Band also performs in frequent concerts and competitions across Durham and beyond during the academic year - the most prominent events on dubb’s calendar being the annual UniBrass competition and Whit Friday marches. Being part of dubb is a great way for brass players and percussionists to join a community of likeminded individuals dedicated to preserving the tradition of brass banding in the UK!