Music update

By Graeme Stevenson

Rehearsals are now well underway for the various performances in the period leading up to Christmas. The first concert will take place on November 21 when the University Choir and Chamber Choir will perform in St Paul's Cathedral. The first half will contain the four Durufle Motets and FJ Haydn's Little Organ Mass while the 2nd half will feature Durufle’s Requiem.

A week later, on November 28, the Bach Consort will be performing in All Souls' Invergowrie. There will be a varied programme of organ and choral music featuring music by Buxtehude, Telemann, Pachelbel and Bach. Two days later, back in the Chaplaincy Centre, they will lead the annual Advent carol service which will include a motet by Schutz.

On December 5, the orchestra and Big Band will share the platform for the last of this term's evening concerts. Information on both this and University choir's concert can be found on the Music Society's web page: www.dums.co.uk

The lunchtime concert series is now back 'home' in the Chaplaincy centre and continues with an exciting programme including the University Big Band, Discovery Brass and also a rare opportunity to hear Mozart's Symphony No.40 arranged for wind quintet. The full programme for this semester's lunchtime concerts can be found at www.dundee.ac.uk/music/ltc.html

The second University evening concert takes place on November 25 at 7.30pm in the Bonar Hall and promises to be a very entertaining performance. John Lenehan has developed a series of programmes featuring silent movies with live music accompaniment. The programme for this concert, "Classics for Christmas", includes movies by Charlie Chaplin, Harold Lloyd and Laurel and Hardy.

One of the most respected and versatile classical pianists, John Lenehan performs as soloist with many leading orchestras. He has featured on the soundtrack of "Harry Potter", appeared many times on television and toured the world with artists such as Julian Lloyd Webber and Nigel Kennedy. For information on this and the other evening concerts, please go to www.dundee.ac.uk/music/evening.htm

The Music Society have recently taken delivery of a new piano for use during rehearsals at 5 Airlie Place. The previous piano, a Bechstein had sadly passed its best and the decision was taken last year to raise money to purchase a replacement. A brand new Weber WG175 has just been delivered, with the help of generous donations from the University, The Graduates Council, University of Dundee Music and a contribution from Society funds.

This is part of an ongoing process of replacing all the pianos at 5 Airlie Place; as well as the new grand, a new digital piano has been given to OPSOC and we are now looking at the replacement of the practice room piano. Many thanks to all those who have given money towards the purchase of these new instruments.