Student Music Talent Showcased at Summer Music Festival

University of Birmingham musicians will be performing a diverse series of concerts from 13 – 20 June, both on campus and around the city.

The festival begins on 13 June 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 14 June at 1pm for a concert of well-loved wind and brass favourites, including Vaughan Williams, Gershwin and Danny Elfman. Renaissance and baroque music can be heard at this year's Early Music concert in the Barber Institute of Fine Arts on Tuesday 17 June at 3pm - scones and afternoon tea are on offer after the concert.

Other concerts include the Chamber Ensemble’s concert on Wednesday 18 June at 1pm at the Barber Institute with a program of many talented vocal and instrumental groups. The Jazz night on 18 June 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, Kings Norton on Thursday 19 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.

Over 3 days during the festival, Mozart’s most celebrated opera, Don Giovanni, a story about a womanizing nobleman who meets his match in a demonic statue who questions his adulterous ways, will be performed by the talented music students at the University of Birmingham.  The performances will take place on Saturday 14 June at 7pm, Sunday 15 June at 2pm, and Monday 16 June at 7pm at the Barber Institute of Fine Arts Concert Hall. 

The festival will culminate in the Chamber Orchestra and Choir concert on Friday 20 June at 1.10pm. This lunchtime concert at 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 a buffet will be held and a raffle drawn. This year's top prize is tickets to a match at Edgbaston Cricket Ground.

Ends

Notes to Editors

Don Giovanni will be performed by students from the University of Birmingham at The Barber Institute of Fine Arts, Edgbaston Park Road, on Saturday 14 June at 7pm, Sunday 15 June at 2pm, and Monday 16 June at 7pm. Tickets cost £13, concessions £9 and students £5 and they can be bought from the Barber Institute of Fine Arts reception desk, or bought on the door. 

NME concert June 13 7.30pm Elgar Concert Room Free

Wind/Brass band June 14 1pm Cannon Hill Park Free

Early music June 17 3pm Barber Institute £5/£4/£2

Chamber music June 18 1pm Barber Institute Free

Jazz Night June 18 7.30pm Deb Hall – Guild £4/£3/£2

Symphony Orchestra June 19 7.30pm St Nicholas Church, Kings Norton £8/£6/£4

Chamber Orch/Choir June 20 1.10pm Barber Institute Free

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 at the University of Birmingham’s Edgbaston campus by calling 0121 414 7333. 

For further media information

Kate Chapple, Press Officer, University of Birmingham, tel 0121 414 2772 or 07789 921164.