Cambridge According Ben: Update #3

I hope this email finds you well and enjoying a relaxing break over the holidays. I think that I can finally appreciate the song “White Christmas” a little bit more as the snow has yet to make a substantial appearance in Cambridge. People assure us that this is not normal and that it does get much colder, however I personally am enjoying the consistent use of my eyelids. Krista, Jakob, Ella and I are doing very well and aren’t too lonely this Christmas season. We were able to celebrate Christmas Eve with two doctors and their young family from Australia, Christmas Day with a British family from the church we attend, and Boxing Day with a Turkish oil engineer and his family. Quite an international few days!

A lot of academic water has passed under the bridge since my last update back in October (hopefully it has been retained in a mental reservoir!). If I could sum up the experience of my first term at Cambridge I would describe it as invigorating, humbling and disciplinary. The first because it’s a place of incredible resource and musical performances. The second because, as my tutor said, “you feel that everyone else is smarter than you are” and you are constantly surrounded by people who have achieved remarkable things. The third because you decide how you spend much of your time, nothing actually being graded until the end of the program. This last point has put the fear of God into me so to speak and the second and third are directly related to the first. One of the parts of the program I have found fascinating are the rehearsals we observe with the leading chapel choirs of Cambridge and the personal interviews with the directors following. The sight reading abilities and the vast amount of repertoire these choirs have are incredible. Two of these choirs sing 6 days a week and others two or three. Attending a variety of services in which they sing has been a term’s worth of education in itself!

Some highlights from the Michaelmas Term:

This joint venture between sister colleges and their chapel conductors went extremely well and taught me that I have a lot to learn about orchestral conducting. New friends were made. 

A very special service at the end of term with the choir I had been working with all term. All gather in darkness and the choir, while singing a Palestrina Introit, enter with candles. Scripture readings, carols and anthems make for a wonderful start to the Advent season.

Hearing the insights these great musicians/conductors have concerning rehearsal technique, specific issues in repertoire, dealing relationally with ensembles, and performance practice is an absolute privilege. Vast amounts of knowledge, experience and talent in those four names.

When my parents came to visit Dad, Krista and I went to the massive Ely Cathedral (15 min train ride away) and heard the Cambridge University Music Society Choir and Orchestra perform this work under Stephen Cleobury. To hear a work that grandiose almost swallowed up by the venue is an experience in itself and tells you how big this place actually is.

Every week we have a 3 hour conducting seminar with Stephen Layton, the music director at Trinity College. This man has an unparalleled energy and a way of nailing you to the wall that is strangely inspiring. Every part of every beat in a piece of music must be analyzed and transformed through gesture into information so that whatever group you are working with will get the most out of action and not words. During one evensong service his interpretation of a chorale from Bach’s Christmas Oratorio made me suspect that he is one of the top conductors here…that and he and his choir were just nominated for a Grammy. 

Wonderful experiences with great singers and very different approaches from the music directors. Stephen Layton will say “Don’t say it! Show them!” by which he means stop blathering on like an idiot and CONDUCT! Graham Ross of Clare College, the youngest of the directors at 26 (read up on him), has a slightly more gentle approach yet both, like many here, are driven by an extreme professionalism and dedication to making the best music possible. In both there is a joy underlying the approach that makes both the learning and listening even better.

Those are just a few highlights of my last term. This break has been spent preparing for my final paper, reading, practicing, listening to music and very importantly spending a lot of much needed time with my wife and kids. You can check out Krista’s blog for pictures and a great description of the many things we are blessed to enjoy here. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all!

Ben