Summer festival of music from Birmingham University
Jun 5 2008 Submitted by Emily Koscia
WHILE many students at the University of Birmingham plan to spend the final week of the academic year enjoying the sunshine, the university's musicians will be out in force performing a diverse series of concerts across campus and beyond.
The festival begins on June 13th with the New Music Ensemble concert which takes place in the Elgar Concert Room at the University at 7.30pm. This concert will feature new works by student composers as well as other contemporary pieces, conducted and performed by students.
The Wind band and Brass band will be returning to Cannon Hill Park on Saturday 14th, 1pm, for a concert of well loved wind and brass favourites, including Vaughan Williams, Gershwin and Danny Elfman.
This year's Early Music concert is in the Barber Institute on Tuesday 17th at 3pm, and afterwards be refreshed by that English classic - scones and afternoon tea.
Other concerts include the chamber ensembles concert on Wednesday 18th at 1pm, at the Barber Institute with a program of many talented vocal and instrumental groups.
The Jazz night on the 18th takes place at the Birmingham University Guild of Students at 7.30pm, where a selection of high-quality jazz will be played in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.
This year's Symphony Orchestra concert will take place at St Nicholas's Church in Kings Norton on Thursday 19th June at 7.30pm.
The orchestra will be performing the epic 1st Symphony by Brahms, complimented by the virtuosi Clarinet Concerto by Weber, played by Sofie Vilcins, and 'In the Loop' - a new work by talented student composer Chris Tarren.
Half the proceeds of this concert will be donated to the Kings Norton Restoration Fund.
The festival will once again culminate in the free Chamber Orchestra and Choir concert on the 20th June at 1.10pm.
This lunchtime concert in the Barber Institute features the rare but moving Glazunov Saxophone concerto, played by Mike Atkinson, and Beethoven's Coriolan Overture, as well as some choral favorites.
Following this, in keeping with festival tradition, a buffet will be held, during which the raffle will be drawn. This year's top prize is a trip to a cricket match at Edgbaston Cricket Ground.
Also part of this years summer festival is the festival opera This year, Mozart's Don Giovanni
Don Giovanni, is Mozart's most celebrated opera and is the story of a licentious young nobleman who women swoon at, knowing little of his sinister, manipulative nature.
As they fall in and out of love with him, the Don uses deception and disguise to cover his tracks, always seeking his next challenge. He finally meets his match in a demonic, haunted statue who questions his adulterous ways, sending him to the depths of hell itself.
Don Giovanni will be performed inThe Barber Institute of Fine Arts, Edgbaston Park Road, on Saturday 14th June at 7:00pm, Sunday 15th June at 2:00pm, and Monday 16th June at 7:00pm.
Tickets cost £13, concessions- £9 and students- £5. Tickets can be bought beforehand from the Barber Institute of Fine Arts reception desk, or bought on the door.
The University of Birmingham's Summer Festival of Music was established in 1988. It is self-financing and run entirely by students.
More details and all tickets are available from the Barber Institute of Fine Arts.
