The Newsletter of Homerton College, Cambridge & The Homerton Roll

HOMERTON COLLEGE MUSIC SOCIETY
The collegiate organisation of the
university provides many benefits, not
least the opportunity to maintain, at
college level, a musical community
large enough to have its own
orchestra, but small enough to remain
personal and flexible. According to
our constitution, the HCMS aims to
“cultivate the musical life of the College
by encouraging both the appreciation
and performance of all types of music at
all levels”, and this I feel we have done
well over the past year.
Left
Pandemonium
Middle Charter
choir
Bottom
Will Roberts
conducting
the orchestra
STUDENT NEWS
Our termly concerts, held this year in the
Great Hall, continue to be successful with
students and staff alike. Consolidating the
uniquely diverse spread of music making
at Homerton (from steelpan arrangements
to sacred vocal music) in a single concert
is a challenge unlike any other, but one
which is always met admirably by the
many students involved. After a festive
Michaelmas concert complete with
Christmas carols from the audience, the
spring concert at the end of Lent term
was an admirable display of the wealth
of musical ability at Homerton. No doubt
the decision not to charge entry to the
latter was a contributing factor towards
the student turn-out, which was of
record strength!
Beyond these now traditional concerts, this
year’s Homerton recital series has offered a
platform for high-quality chamber music,
showcasing talented Homertonians as
well as attracting performers from other
colleges. We have heard recitals from
singers, pianists and string players, all of
which have been a delight to attend. With
the recent repair and re-housing (in the
Cavendish building) of the harpsichord, I
hope that chamber music at college will
continue to grow in quantity, quality and
reputation in the future.
Aside from the successes of practical music
making, this year has seen a review of the
structure of the music society, leading
to constitutional reform and a thorough
and much-needed revision of procedures
for instrument storage, maintenance and
hire. As dryly administrative as these tasks
may sound, they are important steps to
ensuring that the society’s success remains
consistent as the student population which
it serves constantly changes.
Alumni are always welcome to musical
events at college, and anyone wishing to
find out more about the society can visit
our website at www.srfc.ucam.org/hcms, or
follow us on Facebook.
Will Roberts
HCMS President 2010–2011
Homerton College 15