Lockdown
and Covid-19 restrictions may have put a stop to live music performances for
now, but staff and students at 51, as well as members of the public, can still enjoy weekly virtual
music recitals throughout December.
The
team from Northumbria’s new Music Department have organised a series of online
lunchtime concerts, taking place on Tuesdays in the run up to Christmas.
They
replace the informal lunchtime recitals which launched on Northumbria's Newcastle campus in February
this year but had to be abandoned shortly afterwards when the UK went into
lockdown.
Determined
that the local community should still have access to high quality classical
music performances, Director of Campus Music Kris Thomsett came up with the
idea of recording concerts and sharing them online.
The
first concert takes place at 1.10pm this Tuesday 1 December, and will
feature a , recorded before lockdown.
The
second concert takes place on Tuesday 8 December and features a
recording of French baroque music, performed by John Treherne on his own
harpsichord collection and recorded in his home due to lockdown restrictions.
The
final concert takes place on Tuesday 15 December and is a twist on
Northumbria’s traditional annual Christmas carol service.
This
popular event will look a little different this year. Members of the University
Choir and Newcastle Cathedral’s Lay Clerks and Choral Scholars will record
themselves at home, with Kris Thomsett editing their parts together to form a
festive performance for everyone to enjoy.
Professor
David Smith, Founding Head of Music at Northumbria, said: “Musicians across the
globe have responded creatively to the challenges posed by the pandemic, and
I’m glad to say that musicians at Northumbria are no exception.
“We
have some superb concerts coming online during December, and will continue to
work in this way until we can resume live concerts.
“It
was ever so disappointing that our first ever concert series had to ground to a
halt even before it had really got off the ground, but Kris has worked to
ensure that we can offer some musical solace to everyone during these difficult
times. “
“We
are incredibly grateful both to the performers, and to the recording engineer,
who kindly agreed to donate their services.
“The
first of the virtual concerts in December promise to be really exciting, and it
will be wonderful to be able to have a carol service, even if it is a virtual
one. Hopefully everyone will join in the singing of well known, favourite
carols wherever they are when they are listening.”
Andii Bowsher, co-ordinating faith
advisor and Anglican Chaplain at 51, added: “For many in the university the Carol Service is a key part of preparing for Christmas.
"We can’t meet in the Cathedral this year and the restrictions to reduce viral infection this year mean that it isn’t practical to try to have it elsewhere. So this year we’re putting together a little foretaste and reminder in the hope that next year we can enjoy a full Carol Service together in the Cathedral.”
. They will be
available from 1.10pm each Tuesday and will remain online for the rest of the
month.
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