Centre for Music and Performing Arts

Welcome to the Swinburne Hall Concert Series, promoted by the Centre for Music and Performing Arts, Colchester Institute. The 2009-2010 season offers a broad and varied programme of events to suit all tastes ranging from classical to rock and comedy to the avant-garde.

Within this website is a complete calendar of events from September 2009 to June 2010.

Headline classical artists include the virtuoso pianist Andrew Ball(25 November) and the international ‘cellist Florian Kitt (4 November) contrasting with the incredible jazz sextet Phil Miller - In Cahoots (11 November) and renowned singer-songwriter Stephen Fearing (14 October).

A continuing theme is the spotlight on professional performers from within the centre with appearances from guitarists Tim Pells and Andrew Allen (6 January), the experimental groups Referential (21 April) and Dead Rat Orchestra (18 November), whilst blues and pop aspects are covered by Rev Simpkins (2 December) and Saucerful of Floyd (24 March).

Our offering would not be the same without an appearance from the irrepressible Rainer Hersch in his hugely comic ‘All Classical Music Explained’ (13 January) and we also welcome back the Bingham String Quartet (31 March), Quartet in Residence.

The series is underpinned by a wealth of student concerts and competitions – highlights include the ever popular CMPA Showcases in December and May and a staged production of Oklahoma! (11-13 February).

Most of the professional events have afternoon workshops (2.30pm-4.00pm, free admission). Refreshments are available at every event and selected evenings (indicated within this brochure) will offer a full licensed bar.

Please take advantage of the opportunity to gain excellent value for money by purchasing a season ticket. At £80.00 it gives you admission to all professional events at the equivalent of half price AND allows you free entry to all the 40 student events - orchestral and choral concerts, solo recitals and staged productions.

There is a page on Facebook for those who care to indulge. The web address is www.facebook.com/swinburnehall. This offers the option of receiving regular updates on events and enables members to follow the series closely on a week-to-week basis, whilst interacting with current and new Swinburne Hall visitors. You will not, however, be able to reserve tickets through the Facebook page – the box office contact details for reservations and urgent enquiries are below.

I very much hope that you can visit us for the 2009-2010 Swinburne Hall Concert Series.

Charles Hine
Artistic Director