Music Matters (December 2021)

News from the Music Department | November 2021

Playing on!

University of Kent | Music Department | November 2021 | www.kent.ac.uk/music

Colyer-Fergusson rings to regular music-making anew this term, as the Music department is back once more with concerts and events; it’s a pleasure to be back in full swing this season, and we’re busy preparing for the annual University Carol Service at Canterbury Cathedral, a sparklingly seasonal concert with University Chorus and Symphony Orchestra, a Christmas concert with the String Sinfonia, a sequence of carols by candlelight from the Cecilian Choir, and the term’s usual rousing conclusion – the annual Big Band Christmas Swingalong!

As the practice-rooms and concert-hall resound with students, staff and members of the local community enjoying the opportunity to rehearse and perform again, here are two particular highlights we wanted to share with you.

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University of Kent | Music Department | November 2021 | www.kent.ac.uk/music

Workshop with Glyndebourne Touring Orchestra

The Music department is, of course, all about enriching the musical lives of students and staff at the University of Kent, either through our own performances and rehearsals, or through the Lunchtime Concert series; whether it’s taking part or simply enjoying from the audience seats, it’s all about providing memorable opportunities and experiences.

Nowhere was this more apparent than in our recent visit from members of the Glyndebourne Touring Orchestra, here in Canterbury in November for a series of performances at the Marlowe Theatre. Following a spirited performance by members of Pit Perfect scheme supporting young professional musicians at the outset of their careers, members of the University String Sinfonia then took part in a workshop, with the opportunity to sit alongside Glyndebourne’s orchestral players, and rehearse with them on pieces the String Sinfonia has been working on ahead of its first concert this year.

It was a brilliant opportunity, in which the students and professionals worked for an hour as an ensemble, considering all those vital aspects of communal music-

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University of Kent | Music Department | November 2021 | www.kent.ac.uk/music

Workshop with Glyndebourne Touring Orchestra (cont) making which are crucial to a successful ensemble performance, and developing skills as musicians, as string-players, which will stand them in good stead throughout their musical lives. https://youtu.be/ECjX5cZBTUY As a thank you to the students for their efforts during the workshop, we took some of them down to the Marlowe that night, where they could see those professionals with whom they had been rehearsing scant hours previously, performing in the production of Stravinsky’s The Rake’s Progress.

All in all, then, a hugely successful day, bringing students and professionals together, giving some of our student musicians a unique opportunity, for a short while, to be part of the Glyndebourne experience, and hopefully inspiring them in their own musical endeavours. Glyndebourne will be back…!

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University of Kent | Music Department | November 2021 | www.kent.ac.uk/music

A unique opportunity for one of our Music Award Holders Spotlight series of short performances in Colyer-Fergusson Hall given by some of the students. https://youtu.be/peWY3YWSWGc

We are especially delighted to reveal that composer and sitarist, Jonathan Mayer, will be mentoring one of the University’s Music Award Holders during the coming academic year.

An active composer exploring connections between traditional Indian music and Western instruments, Jonathan’s Sitar Concerto No.2 was recorded with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales last year, as part of his continuing synthesis of east-west musical idioms.

Following his recent concert in ColyerFergusson to launch the new season of Lunchtime Concerts, Jonathan will be working with Ridima Sur, (pictured with Jonathan Mayer (right) and tableplayer Denis Kucherov), a third-year student at the University reading Astrophysics. Hailing from the Hoogly district, West Bengal, Ridima holds a Music Award at Kent, and last year was filmed as part of the Scholar’s

“I’m really grateful for the opportunity, and to have met with Jonathan,” enthuses Ridima, “we talked about my vocal range and all the ragas I’m currently doing. He’s going to support me in my music-making this year, and we will also plan a few performances. My mum’s sister was a classical singer, she professionally pursued Hindustani classical music and was my motivation to keep following music myself; partially a reason I am trying to continue my music is a tribute to her.”

The extra-curricular Music department provides opportunities for its Music Performance Scholars and Award Holders to develop their musicianship alongside their academic studies, and runs a vibrant provision for all students and staff, as well as members of the local community, to be involved in University music-making. Thanks to the generosity of the donors who support the Music Scholarship Scheme, it promises to be an exciting mentorship, and a unique opportunity for one of the University’s students to learn with an established figure on the British musical landscape.

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University of Kent | Music Department | November 2021 | www.kent.ac.uk/music

Music Scholars’ Evening Recital at Canterbury Cathedral: now online Back in June, a few of our Music Performance Scholars had the wonderful opportunity of performing an hour-long recital in the Quire of Canterbury Cathedral as part of last year’s Summer Music Week.

Back in June, a few of our Music Performance Scholars had the wonderful opportunity of performing an hour-long recital in the Quire of Canterbury Cathedral as part of last year’s Summer Music Week. Given in memory of David Humphreys, whose fund generously continues to sponsor this annual event in memory of his wife, Julia, the concert ranged from songs by Samuel Barber and twentieth-century French works for flute and for viola, to conclude with two meditative works for piano quintet

by Olafur Arnalds, Sure on this shining night showcased several of our talented student musicians in the splendid surroundings of the Quire.

The students performing that represent the resilient strength of university students throughout the community at Kent, who, alongside

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finding themselves required to fulfil the expectations of their academic studies in new, challenging ways, also continued to work musically – instrumental and singing lessons continued online throughout lockdown, with students and teachers working from their homes, grappling with technology and often unpredictable internet connections, being confined to their homes, fitting their practice and their academic work into spaces shared with family or housemates. As this concert demonstrates, students at Kent forged ahead with a will to ‘make it work,’ and not to allow the severe restrictions imposed by the pandemic to prevent them continuing to enrich their lives both musically and academically.

You can watch the performance online here: https://youtu.be/Aa5hZ129a1c Many thanks to the technical team and to Chris Wenham for their support in making the film.

Of course, it’s thanks to the generosity of our music donors and supporters that we are able to furnish our musical students with such remarkable moments as part of their University life that will stay with them long after the concert-hall doors have closed; from rehearsals and Scholarship lessons to performances, workshops and cultural trips, we are hugely grateful for your continued support. Don’t forget to take a look at all the events taking place in ColyerFergusson (and beyond!) on our What’s On pages – we look forward to seeing you at some point during the new year! www.kent.ac.uk/music/whats-on Dan Harding and Sophie Meikle

University of Kent | Music Department | November 2021 | www.kent.ac.uk/music

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www.kent.ac.uk/music Colyer-Fergusson Building, Giles Lane, Canterbury CT2 7NB

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