Page 23 - Mansfield 2019/20

Music at Mansfield
John Oxlade Director of Music (October 2006-July 2020)
In July 2020, after many years of loyal service, John Oxlade stepped down as Director of Music at Mansfield. In this article, John reflects on his final year at College.
In Michaelmas term 2019, we welcomed some very talented new instrumentalists to Mansfield – Samuel Spencer (clarinet and piano), Flora Walker (clarinet), Leila Hua (flute) and Nathan Walemba (piano). Our choir was also replenished by gifted new members – Emily Broughton, Vincent Elvin, Amélie Henle, Haley Howard, Joanna Korey, Anna Obernoster, Henry Olree, Victoria Roskams and Flora Walker.
Throughout the year, the choir embraced its customary wide range of music and styles in concerts and during the Wednesday evening service, as well as singing at the University Sermon on 3 November 2019. The carol service was a particular highlight and the singing of the congregation in a packed Chapel resounded wonderfully with the more exuberant hymns and more gently with ‘Silent Night’. There were also memorable solos from Jeremy Beard and George Klaeren, and beautiful readings from Daniel Scotson, Dr Tony Lemon, Greg Jennings (IT Manager) and Tess McCormick (Development Director).
The Michaelmas concert featured Yuan Wang in Shostakovich’s second piano concerto and choral items by Fauré, Karl Jenkins and Mozart, with solo contributions by Samuel Spencer (piano), Joschua Spiedel- Johnson (cello), Nick Watt (viola), Joshua Gei (violin), Jeremy Beard (oboe) and Leila Hua (flute). Our Sunday recitals included
an extensive repertoire, from Elizabethan madrigals to a first performance of music composed by Professor Stephen Blundell played by Nathan Bentley (saxophone) and accompanied by the composer, and repeated in the delightful lecture-recital by Errollyn Wallen on the last Friday of Michaelmas term.
Our Hilary term concert – the last public musical event held at Mansfield before
the national lockdown – included Welsh music (for St David’s Day) by Welsh female composer Morfydd Owen, and orchestral works by Vaughan Williams (‘Rhosymedre’), along with a symphony by Johann Christian Bach; George Klaeren was soloist in the aria ‘Es ist vollbracht’ from J S Bach’s Cantata 159, and the choir sang the choral finale
of Elgar’s oratorio The Light of Life. A rare cantata by Johann Christian Bach Domine ad adiuvandum, sung by the choir and accompanied by the College’s instrumental
ensemble, made a most accomplished and affirmative conclusion to the programme.
Our final service included music by Orlando Gibbons, Edward Bairstow and J S Bach
– all immaculately performed by our superb choir. We say goodbye to leavers Jessica Williams, Liyang Han, George Klaeren, Jordan Jones, and Jeremy Beard: all long-standing, committed leaders
of a wonderful team. We shall also miss the perfection of Jeremy’s oboe playing and his incredible musicianship. Special thanks also to George Manning and Patryk Imielski for their assistance with the Choir Library – part of a now very large and comprehensive College Music Library.
Our success over the years has been possible due to the exceptional talents and commitment of our students, and it has been the greatest privilege to work with them. However, none of our achievements would have been possible without the support of our faithful audiences including the Fellows, other students and friends of the College, and all those who helped behind the scenes – including the administrative staff, the catering department and the Porters’ Lodge – to all of whom I give my most grateful and enduring thanks.
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