Christ Church Music Society
Patron - Howard Goodall
President - Leah Broad
Contact: leah.broad@chch.ox.ac.uk
About CCMS
As one of Oxford's most active student-run music organisations, the Christ Church Music Society showcases some of the University's finest musicians, while also arranging for world-class professionals to perform on the same platform (see recent performers).
Concerts in Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford
Lunchtime and evening concerts, recitals, and other performances are held frequently during term in the beautiful surroundings of Christ Church Cathedral, by kind permission of the Dean and Chapter. The North Transept, with its unique acoustic, is an ideal venue for chamber music, yet it can also accommodate large choirs and orchestras. The Cathedral possesses an excellent Fazioli piano, a Goble harpsichord and a Rieger organ (see the organ specification).
CCMS Festival
The annual week-long Festival takes place in Hilary Term (usually in February), and is the highlight of the Music Society's calendar. In addition to the usual fare of professional chamber music concerts during the week, there has been a tradition of high-profile dramatic and orchestral projects..
Christ Church Orchestra
The Christ Church Orchestra was formed in 2002 with the aim of providing opportunities for all college members to perform in a fun and informal atmosphere, although players from other colleges are welcome.
Since then, the orchestra has put on termly concerts, primarily involving Baroque and Classical symphonies and concertos. Past conductors include Ben Winters, Philip Mann, Clym Stock-Williams, Graham Griffiths, Mark Gotham, Benjamin Woodgates, Heather Uren and Ross Cole.
College Choir
The College Choir at Christ Church (as opposed to the Cathedral Choir or the Cathedral Singers) is an ensemble made up of male and female students drawn from Christ Church itself, as well as the wider university. About 20 in number, the choir sings evensong in Christ Church Cathedral on Mondays during term-time, and at college events such as the termly Corporate Communion. In addition to performing in services and concerts at Christ Church, over the last three years the choir has sung evensong at Westminster Abbey, Trinity College Cambridge, St George's Chapel, Windsor and the cathedrals at Winchester, Canterbury, Hereford, Salisbury, Coventry and St. Paul's.
Concerts in Hilary Term 2012
Wednesday 25th January, 8.30pm (2nd week):
Solo vocal recital by Tal Katsir.
Tal is a third year student at Somerville, and her performances have been hailed by the press as 'overwhelming ... amazing ... leaving the audience exhausted with excitement' (DAVAR magazine)
Wednesday 1st February, 8.30pm (3rd week):
Solo piano recital by Lilly Grosse-Buening
featuring works by Brahms, Chopin and Schumann.
FESTIVAL WEEK - Fourth week
Monday 6th February, 8.30pm:
An evening of Indian Carnatic Classical music
led by Bradley Vines on the saxophone and featuring vocalist Bihani Sarkar.
Tuesday 7th February, 8.30pm:
An evening of art and music at the Christ Church Picture Gallery,
featuring works by Purcell and Strozzi.
Wednesday 8th February, 8.15pm:
Solo guitar recital by Ben Kearsley,
including works by Villa-Lobos, Albeniz, Carcassi, Tarrega and Pernambuco. Ben studied at the Birmingham Conservatoire and has since taught guitar at the Conservatorio De La Paz in Bolivia. This performance will be part of his tour to promote his new cd, 'Celia', released in February this year. More details can be found at www.benkearsley.com
Wednesday 8th February, 10pm:
Choral scholars Charlotte Robinson and Jake Barlow perform Pergolesi's Stabat Mater for a late-night performance in the Cathedral.
Thursday 9th February, 8.30pm:
Experimental concert led by Marcus Roberts.
Friday 10th February, 9pm:
Ensemble 45, conducted by William Dawes.
The Ensemble will be performing works by Schutz, Brahms, Strauss and Bach. More performer details are available at www.willdawes.co.uk
Monday 13th February, 8.30pm (5th week):
Bach D Minor Concerto,
performed on two pianos by Mira Sundara Rajan and Takana Miyamoto.
Wednesday 15th February, 8.30pm (5th week):
Vocal recital by Lancelot Nomura and Sofia Larsson,
accompanied by Finnegan Downie-Dear. Lancelot, Sofia and Finnegan are all postgraduates at the Royal Academy of Music, and will be performing a programme of: Russian songs, including works by Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff, and Lieder by Schubert, Brahms, Schumann and Mendelssohn.
Wednesday 22nd February, 8.30pm (6th week):
Strauss Violin Sonata
performed by Cara Laskaris, accompanied by William Green.
Wednesday 29th February, 8.30pm (7th week):
Christ Church College Choir perform Handel's Coronation Anthems,
conducted by William Waine.
Monday 5th March, 8.30pm (8th week):
Solo vocal recital by Christ Church choral scholar William Waine
including Vivaldi's Stabat Mater.
Wednesday 7th March, 8.30pm (8th week):
Christ Church College Orchestra perform Stravinsky 'Pulcinella' Suite, Beethoven Coriolan Overture and the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto,
Soloist Savitri Grier. Conducted by William Green.
All concerts are £5/£3/free for CCMS members.