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Undergraduate

Schubert, Singing and Sexuality

Music's Dr David Bretherton was the mastermind behind last week's Schubert concert and masterclass - participants heard fabulous music, explored issues around composers' sexuality, and watched our students learn from international artists: During LGBT History Month 2019, the Department of Music and Turner Sims Concert Hall held two Schubert events connected to my Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Leadership Fellowship on queer music theory. Continue reading →

Hong Kong adventures

While Rosie Shepherd was admiring the snow during her year abroad in Norway (see her post of 4 July), Jordan Stock headed for warmer climes. Read on for his impressions of his year in east Asia: It has now been nearly one year since I left the refuge of Southampton to travel to about as far as you can get on the other side of the world, Hong Kong. I can only sum up the year with one word: Wow. Continue reading →

My Year in Norway

Rosie Shepherd tells us about her life-changing experience during the study abroad year of her undergraduate Music course: At the beginning of August last year I embarked on a new adventure – packing up everything important to me and moving to Bergen, Norway to study for 10 months. To say those months have flown by would be an understatement, but the amount of knowledge, life experience and fantastic memories I have gained in that time have made it more than worth it. Continue reading →

Working in Music

As third year students are approaching the end of their course, finalist Emma Atkins looks back to a February workshop aimed at helping undergraduates think about career choices in music: As I'm interested in many different aspects of music, this careers day was extremely beneficial. When I graduate I hope to work in the business side of the music industry, particularly in music marketing. In addition, at some point in my career I hope to work on cruise ships. Continue reading →

Tracing a Trio

Hannah Shilvock (clarinet/bass clarinet, year 3), Ellie Purvis (violin, year 3), and Adam Rean (piano, year 2) have formed the Woodnote Trio, playing together for their Ensemble performance module this year and performing in different venues around the region as well. We interviewed them to find out what their year has been like. The combination of clarinet, violin and piano is unusual. What are the challenges of playing in this formation? Ellie: Balance is quite tricky. Continue reading →

Performing the Film of the Great War

Yesterday marked the launch of Silent Film Fortnight, a three-part series focusing on the film heritage of the World War I as part of the university's Great War, Unknown War programme. Third year students Emma Atkins and James Carter are performing for Dawn, the second film of the set: Emma: On Tuesday 13 February at 7.30pm, silent film Dawn (1928) is screened at Turner Sims, accompanied by an ensemble led by composer and pianist Dr Andrew Fisher. Continue reading →

Will Champion from Coldplay visits the Music Department!

Two of our first year Music students, Martina Stramaccioni and James Needs, reflect on a recent visit to the Department by Coldplay drummer Will Champion. Martina: "I found Will Champion’s visit a humbling experience. It was unbelievable that a musician as successful and well respected as him had taken time out of his busy schedule and come talk to us young musicians in person. As students, embarking upon our own musical journeys, the talk was inspiring. Continue reading →

Brilliant Bach with Blaze and Balding

Second year BA Music student and violinist Columba Dromgoole-Cavazzi describes her experience of performing in a recent performance project: In the lunchtime concert on Friday 24th November, the string workshop and early music ensemble worked together for a performance of Brandenburg’s Fourth Concerto, and the beautiful aria ‘Erbarme dich, mein gott’ from Bach’s St. Matthew’s Passion. Continue reading →

New Turner Sims RUSH tickets

Turner Sims intern and third year student Sabine Russell introduces the new RUSH ticket scheme: Many music students will have noticed that a new Student Newsletter from Turner Sims landed in their inboxes a couple of weeks ago about a new RUSH ticket scheme. The idea for this initiative has come about to raise awareness of the free tickets made available by Turner Sims for their concert series. Continue reading →

Music in the community

Finalist Sarah Newell tells us about some of the work she is involved with the local community: On the 7th of June, I had the opportunity to perform at MenCap, Southampton. It was a wonderful experience to play for MenCap, especially as they are a charity working for such a great cause. I played acoustic pop set as well as some of my own originals. The crowd were very welcoming and everyone seemed to enjoy the music. Continue reading →

Southampton Showcase

Final year BA Music and Management Science student and Showcase Intern Vicky Halloran updates us on developing Showcase and plans for the future: As someone with a head for business and a love of music, I was enthused by the opportunity of an internship which provides real-world business engagement in the music field. Continue reading →

Jack Wylie (Portico Quartet) ‘VIP Guest Talk’

On Friday 13th October, Jack Wylie from the group Portico Quartet visited the Southampton Music Department to deliver a ‘VIP Guest Talk' about his career and approach to making music. 3rd-Year Music student Archie Combes tells us more: After performing a short solo set of soprano sax and electronic loop pedals, Jack talked extensively about how he forged a career in music whilst still being able to stay true to his own artist intentions. Continue reading →

How to Write a Dissertation

In the second of our series on third year research projects, Beth Walker talks us through the steps of her project on film music: Over the course of my final year I gave myself the challenge of writing a 10,000 word dissertation titled 'Emotion in Film Music'. This was my first time completing such an extensive academic project but it was definitely worth it (especially since it counted towards my degree!). Continue reading →