The Cambridge Center for Music Performance is here!

And its launch festival is taking over the city this weekend

Looking for something to brighten up your weekend? Look no further: From Friday 21 to Sunday 23 October, the University of Cambridge will celebrate the launch of the Center for Music Performance with a festival of over 20 events featuring over 200 students showcasing the full breadth of musical talent. of Cambridge.

The Center for Music Performance opens as the University’s new center for extracurricular music. Its aim is to help students of all subjects, backgrounds and levels of experience to make music in all its forms an essential part of their time at Cambridge. Events take place in several different venues around the city and range from orchestral and chamber music to pop and funk, so there’s something for everyone.

Best of all, most shows are free, so there’s no reason not to get involved and enjoy the best music our student body has to offer.

Commenting on the launch, Center Director Simon Fairclough said: “We are delighted to unveil the university’s vision for the Center for Music Performance at this Cambridge Music Celebration weekend. The Centre’s ambition is that all students have the opportunity to integrate music into their lives here. We are committed to advancing the university’s tradition of excellence in classical music, as well as embracing a wider range of musical genres and creating new opportunities for those with limited musical experience.

The Festival will open with a performance by the renowned Cambridge University Jazz Orchestra and Fitz Swing at Jesus College’s Forum Hall at 8pm – this will be the first ever concert to be held in these halls!

Fan-favorite funk band Stubborn Youth FC will wrap up the night at the college’s Brewery Room bar with their high-energy performance style and outlandish outfits. Other highlights from the weekend’s order of events are Marta Gentilucci Maps sound installation airing all Saturday at All Saints Church, the showcase of Korean percussive music Samulnori where audiences can also try their hand at Javanese Gamelan, Hip Hop after Dark show and open jam/cypher with the band student Quasar over at Clare Cellars and a special Choral Evensong service at Clare Chapel with music from Cambridge-linked composers.

On Sunday, the festival will end as it began – with jazz performances by the Daniel Daley Sextet and CU Jazz Ensemble at the Portland Arms, followed by the Centre’s first-ever concert night in which three of the most popular student bands from the university, The Galapagogos, Soft Crunchy Landing and Cheap Date will perform.

The founding of the Cambridge Center for Music Performance is a significant recognition and investment in music as an important part of a comprehensive Cambridge education. Considering the scale of the Festival and the variety of musical styles exhibited, it is clear that they take their motto from Everything for music, Music for all seriously.

To find out more about this weekend’s events and to book tickets, be sure to check out the Cambridge University Center for Music Performance website, www.cmp.cam.ac.uk/launch-festival, or visit their Facebook page.

Featured image credit: Center for Music Performance