Student music groups kick off Cultural Olympiad

A new work by Marion Wood, Director of Music, will be premiered. ‘International Songs of Sea and Water’ is an arrangement of sea songs from across the globe, inspired by suggestions from international students at the University of Exeter. 

The Sunday Concert promises to be an exciting affair, combining contributions from local school children and musicians from the EMG Symphony Orchestra. University of Exeter music groups performing are the Steel Drum Ensemble, the Choral Society, EUCB (Concert Band), Flute Choir, EUBE (Brass Ensemble) and EUCLC (Clarinet Choir). The University Music Scholars are also taking part. A selection of specially-composed works and well-known favourites including music by Holst, Beethoven and Elgar, plus the Hallelujah Chorus and Handel’s anthem Zadok the Priest will be on the bill.

The concert is part of Music Nation – a weekend of music making on 3 and 4 March devised by the BBC. The weekend is the first nationwide countdown event to the London 2012 Festival, the finale of the Cultural Olympiad. 

The Music Office at the University of Exeter is holding a family music afternoon on Saturday 3 March from 2-6pm. The aim of the afternoon is to learn to play ‘Olympic Rings’, an interlocking rhythm piece using rhythms from five continents. ‘Olympic Rings’ will then be performed through stamping, clapping and hitting everyday objects in the Sunday concert. There will also be a chance to build a hosepipe brass instrument, or try out steel pans and African drums.  Accompanied children of all ages are welcome.

Marion Wood, Director of Music at the University of Exeter says: “We are proud to take part in the first nationwide event of the Cultural Olympiad and to set the sounds of the South West to music. The family workshop will be a lively celebration of world rhythms. The world influence continues with my new work, taking inspiration from our own coastal communities as well as sea songs from across the globe.”

The family workshop is on Saturday 3 March 2-6pm. The event costs £5 per participant, which includes free T-shirt, a pair of drumsticks and free entry to the concert on Sunday.  It will take place at Kay House, Duryard, Lower Argyle Road, University of Exeter, EX4 4RG. 

The concert will take place at 7pm on Sunday 4 March in the Great Hall, University of Exeter. Tickets are £5 or £8.

To attend the workshop or book concert tickets contact the Music Office on 01392 723042 or 01392 72 3813 or by email.