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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 →

Celebrating Michael Finnissy

Last week staff, students and friends of the Department gathered for a special concert at Turner Sims to celebrate Michael Finnissy's twenty years as Professor of Composition at Southampton.Ā  Postgraduate composer Joe Manghan was one of the performers: Iā€™ve been studying at Southampton for almost 7 years now, and Iā€™ve had several opportunities to participate in Finnissy projects. In 2012, I performed timpani in his completion of Mozartā€™s Requiem. Continue reading →

Theatre Guitar for Shakespeare’s Globe

Guitar tutor Jon Gingell has just finished music directing and performing for Emma Riceā€™s show for Shakespeare's Globe, Little Match Girl and Other Happier Tales. Music was by Stephen Warbeck (Shakespeare In Love, Captain Corelliā€™s Mandolin, Billy Elliot). The show began its run at Bristol Old Vic before Christmas, took in a tour from Plymouth to Liverpool, and then returned to its home at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse in London in March. Continue reading →

Performing the Film of the Great War

Yesterday markedĀ 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 →

Music Therapy in Moldova

Lecturer Sarah Hodkinson has just returned from Moldova, where she has been teaching music therapy to professionals from all over the country. Moldova is considered the poorest country in Europe, having only established independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Historically , children with severe and often mild disabilities were typically homed in institutions such as baby homes. Continue reading →

Triumph and Passion with the Bournemouth SO

Will Wilkins (year 3) reports on an exciting and enlightening visit to the BSO: Last Tuesday, January 23rd, it was my great pleasure to visit a Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra rehearsal at the Lighthouse in Poole as part of a delegation from the Southampton University Music Department. The orchestra were in their second day of rehearsals for their ā€˜Triumph and Passionā€™ concerts, which were performed in Poole, Portsmouth, and Exeter over the following three days. Continue reading →

Happy Christmas from the Music Department!

Music finalists Ella Garner and Sabine Russell report on our recent Christmas concert extravaganza (!): On Friday 8th December, the Music Department hosted our annual lunchtime Christmas concert at Turner Sims. We (Ella and Sabine) organised it this year, liaising with students throughout the department and bringing everyone together to create a showcase of wonderful festive talent. 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 Championā€™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 Brandenburgā€™s Fourth Concerto, and the beautiful aria ā€˜Erbarme dich, mein gottā€™ from Bachā€™s St. Matthewā€™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 localĀ 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 →

Pianist Ingrid Barancoski reflects on her year in Southampton

Dr Ingrid Barancoski,Ā  from the Villa-Lobos Institute at UNIRIO (Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro) reflects on her year in Southampton researching Nadia Boulanger and Almedia Prado: In June 2014, I was reading the book entitled The musical work of Nadia Boulanger, and found it fascinating.Ā  Researching about the author, Prof. Jeanice Brooks, I came across the University of Southampton. Continue reading →