Past Musical Events at and around Churchill
See the list of current musical events.
Babelfish Jazz
Performers: Barry Green, Brigitte Beraha
Location: Recital Room, Churchill College
Entry: £5 (£3 for students)
Babelfish is a collaboration between Barry Green (piano) and Brigitte Beraha (voice); this performance in the Recital Room makes part of their UK Tour this Autumn to celebrate the release of their album "Babelfish", recorded live at Abbey Road Studios. Babelfish is a jazz ensemble influenced by a wide variety of artists including Kenny Wheeler, Chico Buarque and Paul Bley, and they will be performing a mix of their unique originals inspired by classical composers, and well-known songs from jazz and latin repertoires.
College Choir Concert
Performers: Churchill Choir
Location: Recital Room, Churchill College
Entry: £1 (£1 for students)
This term's choir concert will include excerpts from Mozart’s Requiem (conducted by fourth-year Natural Scientist, Joe Donlan), as the choir prepares for a joint performance of the full work in Oxford next term with our sister college there, Trinity. In addition to the Mozart, this term’s programme includes pieces by Lauridsen and Britten. Free refreshments will be provided after the concert.
Service of Advent Carols
Performers: Chapel Choir
Location: The Chapel, Churchill College
This popular event is the musical highlight of the Chapel's year and consists of a sequence of seven readings, interspersed with choral works and congregational carols. This year, the service will start with Gregorian chant sung by candlelight and will visit works by Tallis and Rachmaninov amongst other composers on the way to the roof-raising final carol. Free mulled wine and mince pies will be served in Chapel after the service.
Orchestra on the Hill plays Saint-Saëns III
Performers: Orchestra on the Hill, Edward Lilley, Sophie Fennerty
Location: The Chapel, Churchill College
Entry: £4 (£2 for students)
In its second concert of the term, OotH presents Saint-Saëns's lyrical and deservedly popular third symphony, the “organ symphony.” Playing the organ will be the first holder of the newly endowed Elizabeth Cockcroft Organ Scholarship, Edward Lilley (first-year Natural Scientist). The symphony will be conducted by recent Murray Edwards graduate, Sophie Fennerty.
Celebrating the admission of women
Performers: Penny Diver
Location: King's College Chapel
2012 is the fortieth anniversary of the first admission of female undergraduates to full membership of the University. Churchill was in the first group of Colleges to admit women to read for the B.A., along with Clare, King's and Lucy Cavendish. The four colleges will be celebrating the anniversary with a special concert in King's College Chapel. Churchill alumna, Penny Driver, will play movements from Bach's D minor cello suite, and a chorus of Churchill alumnae and female undergraduates will join forces with their counterparts from the other colleges to sing works by Judith Weir (King's alumna) and Schubert. Please see http://www.1972cambridge.co.uk for details of how to book a place.
Bach Flute Sonatas
Performers: Patrick Welche, Francis Knights
Location: Recital Room, Churchill College
Patrick Welche (baroque flute) and Francis Knights (harpsichord) perform the first recital in their series of the complete flute music of J. S. and C. P. E. Bach. Francis is Director of Music at Fitzwilliam College and will be playing Churchill's fine Rubio harpsichord.
Please note: that the time of this concert was incorrectly advertised as 10:30pm in some early versions of the term's programme.
Orchestra on the Hill plays film scores in the Fitzwilliam Auditorium
Performers: Orchestra on the Hill
Location: Auditorium, Fitzwilliam College
Entry: £4 (£2 for students)
The Orchestra on the Hill brings together musicians from our neighbouring Colleges and has strong participation and leadership from Churchill students. The first of OotH's concerts this term features orchestral scores from popular films including Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings and Star Wars. The concert will be hosted in Fitzwilliam College's Auditorium, which lies straight ahead as one enters the College through the Porters' Lodge on Storey's Way.
Cross-cultural Musical Encounters
Performers: Moira Cox, Megan McGregor, Adrian Ball, Chapel Choir
Location: Recital Room, Churchill College
This concert comes at the end of a one-day symposium on intercultural musicology, organised by Dr Valerie Ross (By Fellow, Michaelmas 2011) under the auspices of the Centre for Intercultural Musicology at Churchill College (CIMACC). The concert is also part of the University's Festival of Ideas, the theme of which is “dreams and nightmares” this year. Valerie is composing a piece of that title to be premiered at the concert. Other works will be presented by undergraduates Moira Cox, Megan McGregor and Adrian Ball, and the Chapel Choir will sing John Tavener's “Funeral Ikos.”
80th Birthday Concert for Hugh Wood
Location: Recital Room, Churchill College
A star-studded host of Churchill's professional musician alumni will be returning to perform in the Recital Room in celebration of Hugh Wood's 80th birthday this year. Hugh is an internationally renowned composer, whose work has reached large audiences, not least through concerts in the BBC Proms series over many years. He has been a Fellow of Churchill College since 1977. The birthday concert has been coordinated by Dr Alan Findlay and Professor David Newbery.
Freshers' Concert
Performers: Churchill Freshers
Location: Recital Room, Churchill College
The newest cohort of Churchillians perform works of their own choice in the Recital Room. Free refreshments will be served afterwards.
Jazz in the Bar
Location: Churchill College Bar, Churchill College
This popular event features an eclectic mix of live music from bands based at Churchill and beyond. There will also be opportunities for college members to perform their own short sets and impromptu jam sessions.
Outdoor a cappella
Choirs from Churchill, Fitzwilliam and Murray Edwards singing madrigals and unaccompanied secular songs in one of the grassy residential courtyards in North Court. Wine available for purchase. In case of wet weather, we will simply take shelter under the walkway.
The Grantchester Quartet
Performers: The Grantchester Quartet, Peter Ford
Location: Recital Room, Churchill College
The Grantchester Quartet is composed of players from Cambridge University Chamber Orchestra and CUMS Symphony Orchestra, including Churchill undergraduate Alice Cane. The Quartet's programme for this lunchtime recital includes the Nocturne from Borodin's String Quartet No. 2 and – with pianist Peter Ford – Brahms's Piano Quintet in F minor.
The Beethoven Violin and Piano Sonatas, Part III
Location: Recital Room, Churchill College
Entry: £5 (£2 for students)
Martin Hughes and Philip Jenkins return to the Recital Room to complete their epic voyage through the violin and piano sonatas of Beethoven (see past events). The works covered in this term's recital are Opus 30, No. 1 in A major, Opus 24 (Spring), and Opus 96 in G major. Free refreshments during the interval.
Choral Evensong
Performers: Chapel Choir
Location: The Chapel, Churchill College
To end the term on a festive note, the Chapel Choir presents a high-decibel choral evensong. The Chapel Trustees will host the choir at dinner after the service. Sign up on the SCR website by 11am on Friday 8 June if you would like to join them for the meal. Music list.
Professional Recital
Performers: Tim Fain
Location: Recital Room, Churchill College
Tim Fain, whose father Gordon was recently an Overseas Fellow, is a highly acclaimed professional violinist. His programme for us includes "Selections from the Partita for solo violin" (Philip Glass, composed for Tim), "Arches" (Kevin Puts, recent Pulitzer winner), and "Partita in D minor" (J.S. Bach).
Choral Concert
Performers: Kyle Lam, Joe Donlan, and Alan Cruickshank
Location: Recital Room, Churchill College
This term's College Choir Concert will be somewhat shorter than usual and will take place relatively early in the term to make way for exams. The programme will include Calme des Nuits (Saint-Saëns), English folk songs (Vaughan Williams), And so it goes (Billy Joel, arr. Bob Chilcott), and English madrigals by Bennet and Morley. Entrance is free and free refreshments will be provided after the concert.
Choral Evensong
Performers: Chapel Choir
Location: The Chapel, Churchill College
In tribute to Dr Richard Hey, Founding Fellow, enthusiastic supporter of College music and once Chairman of the Chapel Trustees, the Chapel Choir presents Choral Evensong before the dinner and dessert in memory of Dr Hey. Music list.
Music Bursars' Concert
Performers: Adrian Ball, Livy Kenyon, Angela Xu and Alastair Kwan
Location: Recital Room, Churchill College
Churchill provides Music Bursaries to students to help them pursue private instrumental or vocal training. This concert is the second of two this year at which the Bursary Holders perform for the rest of the College.
Orchestral concert
Performers: Orchestra on the Hill
Location: Auditorium, Fitzwilliam College
The Orchestra on the Hill brings together musicians from our neighbouring Colleges and has strong participation from Churchill students. This term, the Orchestra presents its annual Composers' Concert for which student members have the opportunity to write for full orchestral resources and direct their own work. This concert is hosted in the Auditorium at Fitzwilliam College, which lies straight ahead as one enters the College through the Porters' Lodge on Storey's Way.
Choral Concert
Performers: College Choir
Location: Recital Room, Churchill College
The College Choir, led by third-year Natural Scientist Joe Donlan, presents its termly concert in the Recital Room. As ever, the repertoire will be wide-ranging: from Purcell to Whitacre. Free cheese and wine afterwards.
Alkan piano competition
Location: Auditorium, Fitzwilliam
Annual student competition.
Dido & Aeneas
Location: Auditorium, Fitzwilliam
Purcell's operatic masterpiece.
Orchestral Concert
Performers: Orchestra on the Hill
Location: The Dome, Murray Edwards
The Orchetsra on the Hill brings together musicians from our neighbouring Colleges and has strong participation from Churchill students. This term's concert will be hosted in The Dome at Murray Edwards College. The programme includes works by Beethoven and Vaughan Williams as well as the UK premiere of a new piano concerto by Ivan Moody.
Dido & Aeneas
Location: Auditorium, Fitzwilliam
Purcell's operatic masterpiece.
Music Bursars' Concert
Churchill provides Music Bursaries to students to help them pursue private instrumental or vocal training. This is the first of two concerts (the other being in the Easter term) at which the holders of these Bursaries perform for the rest of the College. The list of performers and their repertoire will be announced closer to the date.
Opera Choruses
Location: Auditorium, Fitzwilliam
Performed by Fitzwilliam Chapel Choir, Wolfson College Choir and Herstmonceaux Castle Choir. Public debut of the Symphanova digital orchestra.
Choral Evensong
Performers: Chapel Choir
Location: The Chapel, Churchill College
We welcome the Bishop of Ely, The Rt Revd Stephen Conway, to preach at Choral Evensong. The choir will sing a Baroque setting of the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis by Daniel Purcell and a Tudor setting of the Responses by William Smith. High Table is available afterwards, bookings closing at 11am on Friday 24 February.
The Loves of Mars and Venus
Location: Auditorium, Fitzwilliam
Reconstruction of the first ever English ballet.
Piano Concert
Performers: Ying Yue
Location: Recital Room, Churchill College
Entry: £5 (£2 for students)
Ying Yue is an advanced student of Douglas Hollick, who is well known to a number of Fellows. Among Ying's accomplishments at the piano are the Concerto Prize at the Birmingham Conservatoire. Churchill Music Society is delighted to host Ying for a solo concert in the Recital Room. Her programme includes several works by Chopin as well as items by Mozart and Debussy. Tickets on the door.
Baroque music from Spain, Italy and South America
Performers: Amphion Consort
Location: Recital Room, Churchill College
Entry: £5 (£2 for students)
Churchill Music Society is delighted to host the Amphion Consort for a recital of Spanish, Italian and South American Baroque music for violin, voice, flute, viola da gamba and harpsichord. The Consort's performances have been widely praised, and we can look forward to a colourful evening of composers and period instruments rarely heard at Churchill.
Jazz in the Bar
Performers: Cambridge student bands
Location: The Bar, Churchill College
An exciting evening of live music in Churchill's bar, featuring some of the best student bands in Cambridge. Performers will include The Brass Funkeys, The Dixie Six, Harry Morgan and Julius Handler, Rebecca de Hoest and Moira Cox and others. There will also be spaces for improvised sessions by members of the college.
Professional Recital
Performers: John Potter and Yair Avidor
Location: Chapel, Fitzwilliam
Professional recital by John Potter (tenor) and Yair Avidor (lute) in the Chapel. Songs by Dowland, Purcell and others.
The Beethoven Violin and Piano Sonatas, Part II
Performers: Martin Hughes and Philip Jenkins
Location: Recital Room, Churchill College
Entry: £5 (£2 for students)
Martin Hughes and Philip Jenkins return to the Recital Room for the second of their three concerts covering the complete violin and piano sonatas of Beethoven. Those who attended the first concert in the series last term can attest to the excellence of the performances. Philip Jenkins is a distinguished solo pianist and teacher, currently based at the Guildhall School. He was appointed a Professor at the Royal Academy of Music in 1974 and was later Head of Keyboard Studies at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama for seventeen years. Martin Hughes is an equally accomplished violinist, and his performances have featured both in CD recordings and in BBC radio and television productions. He was Head of Strings at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama for five years and is currently Head of Strings at the Bedford School. Tickets on the door.
Chamber Concert
Location: Recital Room, Churchill College
This concert of music for small ensembles has an unusual twist: each group consists of multiple copies of the same instrument. We hope to have choirs of bassoons and of flutes, as well as piano music for six (and possibly even eight) hands. This is a joint event with musicians from Fitwilliam and Murray Edwards Colleges, hosted here at Churchill in the Recital Room.
A winter evening of song
Performers: Jenny Bacon and Craig White
Location: Chapel, Fitzwilliam
Jenny Bacon (soprano) and Craig White (piano) perform Handel, Mozart, Barber and Walton in the Chapel.
Professional Recital
Performers: Penelope Roskell, Colin Scobie, and Heather Tuach
Location: Auditorium, Fitzwilliam
Professional recital in the Auditorium: Penelope Roskell (piano), Colin Scobie (violin) and Heather Tuach (cello) play Beethoven, Mendelssohn and Kodály.
College Choir Concert
Performers: College Choir
Location: Recital Room, Churchill College
The College Choir, led by Fiona Beresford, presents its termly concert in the Recital Room. This term's programme has a Baroque theme and will include rousing works by Vivaldi and Handel amongst others.
Service of Advent Carols
Performers: Chapel Choir
Location: The Chapel, Churchill College
This popular event consists of choral anthems and congregational carols, interspersed with seasonal readings from the old and new testaments. The service starts by candlelight and ends with organ and voices blazing. Mince pies and mulled wine are served free of charge afterwards. An augmented choir of students, Fellows, staff and alumni will perform works ranging from Palestrina to Britten.
The Beethoven Violin and Piano Sonatas, Part I
Performers: Martin Hughes and Philip Jenkins
Location: Recital Room, Churchill College
Churchill welcomes professional musicians Martin Hughes and Philip Jenkins to perform the first of three concerts this year that will cover the complete piano and violin sonatas of Beethoven in the Recital Room. Philip Jenkins is a distinguished solo pianist and teacher, currently based at the Guildhall School. He was appointed a Professor at the RAM in 1974 and was later Head of Keyboard Studies at RSAMD for seventeen years. Martin Hughes is an equally accomplished violinist, and his performances have featured both in CD recordings and in BBC radio and television productions. He was Head of Strings at RSAMD for five years and is currently Head of Strings at the Bedford School.
New works by Valerie Ross
Location: Recital Room, Churchill College
This recital will showcase the work of composer By-Fellow Professor Valerie Ross, including a new composition for clavichord that will be premiered by Francis Knights, Director of Music at Fitzwilliam College. The concert will take place in the Recital Room and will start promptly.
Orchestral concert
Performers: Orchestra on the Hill
Location: Main Hall, Churchill College
The Orchestra on the Hill brings together musicians from our neighbouring colleges. This term's concert will be hosted by Churchill in the Main Hall and features Tchaikovsk'y Second Symphony and Vaughan Williams's "The Lark Ascending."
Harpsichord Recital
Performers: Sean Heath
Location: Recital Room, Churchill College
Sean Heath will play the harpsichord suites in A (1724) and D (1736) by Jean-Philippe Rameau in the Recital Room on Churchill's beautiful Rubio harpsichord. Sean is an M.Phil. student at Corpus Christi College and is a former history undergraduate and organ scholar of that college.
Jazz Concert
Performers: Convergence Quartet
Location: Recital Room, Churchill College
Entry: £8 (£5 for students)
The Music Society is proud to host Alexander Hawkins and the Convergence Quartet for an evening of jazz in the Recital Room as part of the Quartet's UK tour, which will end at the London Jazz Festival. The concert will finish before 10pm and will include a brief interval.
Vivaldi's Gloria
Performers: Churchill College, Cambridge, and Trinity College, Oxford
Location: The Chapel, Churchill College
The choir of our sister College, Trinity Oxford, will be visiting to combine forces with our own choirs and a chamber orchestra in this inaugural joint concert. In addition to Vivaldi's Gloria, the programme includes the Giazotto-Albinoni Adagio for Strings and Organ and a special arrangement of Barber's Agnus Dei for choir and strings.
Freshers' Recital
Location: Recital Room, Churchill College
The newest cohort of Churchillians perform works of their own choice in the Recital Room
Jazz in the Bar
Performers: Cambridge student bands
Location: The Bar, Churchill College
An eclectic mix of live music featuring a selection of the best student bands from Cambridge University including The Dixie Six (Churchill's finest dixieland band), Alex Beetschen, The Orphans of the Beefy Incident and The Brass Funkeys. There will also be opportunities for College members to perform their own short sets and impromptu jam sessions.