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Jazz, Page 3

Premiere of Loop Concerto for Improvising Pianist and Orchestra

Ben Oliver (Lecturer in Composition) tells us about the first performance of his new Piano Concerto: One of the highlights of my summer was conducting the Kent County Youth Orchestra and jazz pianist Ivo Neame in the September premiere of my new piano concerto, Loop Concerto. The manager of the orchestra, Geoff Dixon, approached me in 2012 to write a piece for the orchestra’s 50th Anniversary concert. Continue reading →

Cheltenham festival from the inside

Jack Webster (year 3) tells us about interning at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival and other summer placements: In May 2013, I did a volunteer placement at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival. I, along with several others, arrived a few days before it started to help the production team set up the festival. The placement was very hands-on, rather than being office-based, and I found myself working in a variety of areas. In the days leading up to the festival, I helped set up the site and stage areas. Continue reading →