Music Department Choir and Orchestra Concert
Hull University, City Hall
April 2009
City Hall is an impressive and distracting venue; there is always something to look at. Whether it is the performers, the ceiling or merely the bloke two rows in front eating sweets, it’s rare that an audience member would go without some menial visual entertainment. I’m not entirely convinced this should be the dominant feeling of someone attending a ‘Concert Series’.
The University Choir, conducted be Lee Tsang, were impressive in number but disappointing in volume; either more than two thirds were miming, or the acoustics in City Hall leave a lot to be desired. Various members of the choir (especially in the tenor section) could be singled out for their own personal volume and enthusiasm, but as a whole, the effect was unbalanced – perhaps the orchestral accompaniment was simply too loud. The Orchestra played well, both pianists (Eva Budniak and Fei Fan) were impressive (to watch as well as hear), and Nathaniel Seaman’s composition was enjoyable, if a little odd. Musically, the second half of the concert was pleasant, but lacked the entertainment value of Choir members yawning and fidgeting. Congratulations must be duly awarded to the Music Department for sustaining my fickle interest for as long as they did.
Monday 20 April 2009
ISA Almost Culture Night
International Students Association
Hull University
April 2009
The I.S.A Culture Night 2009 was very much like the I.S.A Culture Night of 2008, and 2007, and one might suspect, every other I.S.A Culture Night to have taken place in the University. It seems, however, to be this odd combination of ‘samey-ness’ and Eurovision that fills the Middleton Hall year after year, and so it must posses some positive attraction.
The night was filled with performances from various University Societies, showcasing their cultural talents. Starting with a tediously long sketch from the National Hindu Students Forum and climaxing with the ever colourful Malaysian Society, the show and performers varied in talent and ability from the strangely compelling to the downright confusing, but the audience seemed to thrive, enjoying every moment; newcomers ‘The Melting Pot’ seemed to be a particular hit. Though as a body the audience may not have entirely understood everything, heckles and ‘hilarious’ in-jokes crowded the auditorium, and despite the rather hectic atmosphere it seems to have been a successful night.
Hull University
April 2009
The I.S.A Culture Night 2009 was very much like the I.S.A Culture Night of 2008, and 2007, and one might suspect, every other I.S.A Culture Night to have taken place in the University. It seems, however, to be this odd combination of ‘samey-ness’ and Eurovision that fills the Middleton Hall year after year, and so it must posses some positive attraction.
The night was filled with performances from various University Societies, showcasing their cultural talents. Starting with a tediously long sketch from the National Hindu Students Forum and climaxing with the ever colourful Malaysian Society, the show and performers varied in talent and ability from the strangely compelling to the downright confusing, but the audience seemed to thrive, enjoying every moment; newcomers ‘The Melting Pot’ seemed to be a particular hit. Though as a body the audience may not have entirely understood everything, heckles and ‘hilarious’ in-jokes crowded the auditorium, and despite the rather hectic atmosphere it seems to have been a successful night.
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