Thanks to a generous recent legacy, we’re thrilled to have recently acquired three new pianos for the college. The legacy was gifted by Christian Carritt, a Somerville medic who loved music and the arts.
Students regularly state the need to have a piano to play – either to de-stress, or to prepare and perform a work from their repertoire, be it Beyonce, Beatles, Bach, Beethoven, or an original work from one of our many talented singer-songwriters in college.
Whilst all three new pianos are excellent instruments, we’re most proud to finally have our very own Steinway model-B piano which will be permanently housed in the college chapel. Recent visitors will have noticed it living alongside the model-B we have been renting for the past several years, which is in the final year of its lease.
To celebrate the rare position of having two identical high quality pianos in the same space (we can’t think of another space in Oxford which can claim this!) we’re hosting a series of events in the college chapel over the 24-25 academic year, as part of Somerville Festival of Piano. The festival has been made possible through the kind support of Helen Morton.
Coming up this term are the following concerts:
Saturday January 25th 7.30-8.30pm
Reich: Piano Phase
Adams: Hallelujah Junction
And works by Brubeck and Andriessen
Ian Tindale, Sam Mitchell, Owen Thomas, Dan Loach – Pianos
Tickets availablehere (£15, £7 students) Email chapel.music@some.ox.ac.uk for further info.
There will also be a piano masterclass for secondary school pupils 1pm-3pm
Wednesday February 5th 8-9pm
Copland: Organ Concerto
along with works by Vierne, Franck, and Percy Grainger
Dr Stephen Darlington – Organ
Ian Tindale, Richard Moore – Pianos
Tickets availablehere (£15, £7 students) Email chapel.music@some.ox.ac.uk for further info.
Saturday February 8th 3-4pm
Three dazzling pianists under the age of 13 (Vincent, Yiran, & Emily) present an hour of music by great classical composers to thrill and delight
Free admission, with a retiring collection. Email chapel.music@some.ox.ac.uk for further info.
Saturday February 15th 7.30-9.15pm
Rossini: Petite Messe Solennelle
Hannah Andrusier – Soprano
Steph Garrett – Mezzo Soprano
Archie Inns – Tenor
Ben Watkins – Bass
Max Neale, Mar Umbert Kimura – Pianos
Alfred Kelsey, Emanuel Bor – Organ
Somerville College Choir
Will Dawes – Conductor
Tickets availablehere (£15, £7 students) Email chapel.music@some.ox.ac.uk for further info.
Friday February 21st 7-8.45pm
Scriabin: Piano Concerto in F sharp minor
Chausson: Poeme*
Hubay: Fantasie Brilliante on Themes from Carmen*
Grieg: Piano Concerto in A minor (arranged for two pianos)
Josh Asokan, Graham Caskie pianos, James Tett, Violin*
Tickets availablehere (£15, £7 concessions) EmailJosh Asokan for further info.
Friday February 28th 6-7pm
Chamber music by Women composers
Featuring works the Piano Quintet by Amy Beach and other works
Amy Moynihan, Ella McLoughlin violin, Ynyr Pritchard viola, Miriam Mayer-Rieckh cello, and Mar Umbert piano
Tickets availablehere (£15, £7 concessions) Email chapel.music@some.ox.ac.uk for further info.
Wednesday March 12th 6-7pm
Music for Two pianos by Women composers
Featuring the Sonata for Two pianos by Madeline Dring and other works
Email chapel.music@some.ox.ac.uk for further info.
To receive early notification of concerts in Trinity Term 2025, please emailchapel.music@some.ox.ac.uk for further info