Coming to Colchester - Music of Place 2012

This weekend (8/9 September) is the annual Heritage Open Days in the UK weekend (unless you live in London when the dates are different). In Colchester you have the added advantage of The Music of Place 2012, where members of the Britten Sinfonia will be popping up in various places over the weekend to play music in historic and interesting venues. So two birds with one stone.


The music performed will include a number of contemporary composers, some with links to Colchester. So you can hear the music of Alan Bullard and Cecilia McDowall played by a horn and trumpet duo at Colchester Town Hall. A flute and harp duo will play at St. Martin's Church and include music by Bach, Ibert and Faure alongside that of Michael Spearman. At St. Botolph's Church, a string trio will play Nigel Hildreth and at Colchester Library percussion players will perform music by Daniel Merrill and Robin Alderton of the Dead Rat Orchestra. All these events are free, just come along.

In the evening on 8 September there is a concert at the Colchester Arts Centre where you can meet composers Alan Bullard, Nigel Hildreth, Michael Spearman and Daniel Merrill and hear them talk about their music then in the second half, the Britten Sinfonia play Vivaldi, Britten and Bartok. This is also free but you need to get tickets from Colchester Arts Centre (01206 500900)

There are full details, including the timings for the daytime events many of which happen more than once, on the Music of Place 2012 Facebook page.


On Saturday 8 September there is also a composition workshop with the Britten Sinfonia, no previous experience necessary and there is no age limit. Contact First site for details 01206 577067.