Music at ICE
Studying music at ICE offers a wealth of choice. Courses may focus on particular musical genres, the works of individual composers or specific periods in music history, covering topics as far apart as 'Cantors, Crusaders and Carollers: a Journey Through Medieval Music' and 'Jazz, Swing and the Big Band Era'. Most of these courses are suitable for complete beginners: an ability to read music is not required but tutors are happy to provide advice on using scores. Many of our tutors are eminent instrumentalists and illustrate their courses with musical examples.
The course programme also offers scope for those wishing to develop practical skills in performance and composition.
People
Tim Watts
I am ICE’s panel tutor for music. As well as lecturing for the Faculty of Music, I am Teaching Associate in Music at St John’s College and a professor of Stylistic Studies at the Royal College of Music. I am a composer and pianist, with a particular love of writing for voice and working with singers. The courses I teach reflect this interest in the relationship between music and words, as well as focusing on practical and creative skills and the repertoire of the 20th and 21st centuries. Several recent works have been premiered at Madingley Hall, beginning with Madingley March, a short piece written for the Iridian Trio (in which I perform) for the inaugural concert in the ongoing Sunday afternoon series; this year’s concerts have also seen the premiere of a new song cycle for Cerys Jones, White Shadow, and Though I Speak for the chamber choir, Ishirini.
My recent song cycle for Andrew Kennedy will have its London premiere at the Wigmore Hall next year and a new chamber opera on the subject of Bonnie & Clyde is also due for premiere.
From 2005-08 I was composer-in-residence at Bedford School, an experience which sparked a continuing commitment to writing for young musicians with several recent commissions from Trinity Guildhall publications and from Uppingham School, where, from this autumn I will be Composer-in-Association.
Please contact me on tjw33@cam.ac.uk with any questions about music at ICE.
Music tutors
Music courses at ICE are taught by tutors whose work spans a wide range of areas. Our current tutors’ interests include (to take a few examples) Romantic opera, jazz and improvisation, the craft of composing, and music in British film. A number have worked in association with the London Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Glyndebourne Opera House and the Royal College of Music.
Current courses
Click on column headings to sort
| Title | Start Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Beethoven: the 32 sonatas and Diabelli Variations | 28 June 2013 | Available |
| Pipers and tune: John and Myfanwy Piper and the music of Benjamin Britten | 12 July 2013 | Available |
| The operas of Meyerbeer | 19 July 2013 | Available |
| Jazz improvisation | 16 August 2013 | Available |
| Who's afraid of Wagner's 'Ring'? | 30 August 2013 | Available |
| Music from the court of Louis XIV: its performance practice and its influence on J S Bach | 18 October 2013 | Available |
| Mozart and his operas | 25 October 2013 | Available |
| Leonard Bernstein: the complete musician | 22 November 2013 | Available |
| Bach's cantatas in context | 6 December 2013 | Available |
Concerts at Madingley Hall
Since its inception in March 2011, the series of Sunday afternoon concerts have offered an opportunity to hear performances by some of the finest musicians from the University of Cambridge (and sometimes further afield) in the intimate and beautiful surroundings of the Saloon. This has also provided a platform for composers, with at least one premiere in each programme so far. Informal concerts by tutors and, on occasion, participants are also frequently incorporated into weekend music courses.
Find out more and come along to one of our free Madingley Concerts.