Islam and Music – a personal reflection by Rob MacKillop
Thursday 1st February, Room 354, Corstorphine Campus, 5.30pm – to 6.30pm
The Islamic Society of Queen Margaret University present a talk with music by Musician In Residence, Rob MacKillop. Rob studied Sufi music in Istanbul and Morocco while researching historical musical connections between East and West.
Free event. All welcome. Refreshments available.
The move by some students to help bridge the divisions in our cultures can only be applauded. I am honoured to be asked to present this talk, which will focus on my own experiences of this rich and beautiful music. This will not be an academic paper, but an enthusiast's recounting of his attempts to understand and appreciate the music of another culture. I'll be showing a couple of instruments and playing recordings, including my own response to the 9/11 tragedy, which occurred when I was studying in Casablanca. Hopefully both Islamic and non-Islamic staff and students will find something to interest and move them.
Hope to see you there!
Monday, 29 January 2007
Thursday, 25 January 2007
1st week of new term
On Tuesday we had the first meeting of the acoustic music group, with a great turnout including accordion (Southern-fryed), flute, guitars, keyboard, bass and singer. Hopefully we'll get a couple more singers and attempt some gospel-style songs.
After that we had The Helicon Ensemble - created to give singers something to do while the main two choirs take time off. There is enough interest to keep this group going, but we are having a problem finding a time and venue that suits all those interested (singers, harpsichord, recorders, guitars). It's proving to be a big problem, one which will have to be solved soon.
Last night, Wednesday, saw the first meeting of the MegaJam Band. It was great to see new faces: two new singers, one new guitarist and one new trumpeter - alongside the usual layabouts: sax, trumpet, trombone, guitars, bass, keyboard, singers. We had a couple of read-throughs of RESEPECT by Aretha Franklin (actually written by Otis Redding), which showed promise, and the horn section learned how to improvise accompaniments to a blues. Some of it sounded amazing!
Now for the Guitar Class...
After that we had The Helicon Ensemble - created to give singers something to do while the main two choirs take time off. There is enough interest to keep this group going, but we are having a problem finding a time and venue that suits all those interested (singers, harpsichord, recorders, guitars). It's proving to be a big problem, one which will have to be solved soon.
Last night, Wednesday, saw the first meeting of the MegaJam Band. It was great to see new faces: two new singers, one new guitarist and one new trumpeter - alongside the usual layabouts: sax, trumpet, trombone, guitars, bass, keyboard, singers. We had a couple of read-throughs of RESEPECT by Aretha Franklin (actually written by Otis Redding), which showed promise, and the horn section learned how to improvise accompaniments to a blues. Some of it sounded amazing!
Now for the Guitar Class...
Tuesday, 23 January 2007
Traditional Music up and running
Last night saw the first rehearsal for the QM Traditional Music Group. I was very impressed with the turnout, and the fact that we read through about six tunes with a fair degree of competence. Three fiddlers, flute, two guitars, two tin whistles and keyboard. We could do with someone banging a drum! I expect a couple more fiddlers to join next week.
The first piece we read through was 'March: Queen Margaret College' by the late Tom Anderson, the most famous Shetland fiddler before Ally Bain. I plan to write, 'Jig: Queen Margaret University' to complement it!
A good start. More members welcome.
The first piece we read through was 'March: Queen Margaret College' by the late Tom Anderson, the most famous Shetland fiddler before Ally Bain. I plan to write, 'Jig: Queen Margaret University' to complement it!
A good start. More members welcome.
Thursday, 11 January 2007
The Helicon Ensemble
The Helicon Ensemble – 16th-century Scottish Court Songs for voices and instruments (keyboard, guitar/lute, recorders, violin, etc)
The Choir of QMUC and the Back Row Singers will not be meeting this term, so I’ve taken the opportunity to create a small ensemble to explore the 16th-century Scottish part-song repertory.
The songs are a mixture of Scots poetry by the likes of Alexander Montgomerie, and French-influenced rhythms and melodies. The Scots-English is not at all difficult to read, and I will give translations and pronunciations where necessary. The melodies are simple, beautiful and memorable after a couple of sing-throughs.
Rehearsal times: I have booked two periods, one lunchtimes and one Tuesday evenings, both at Corstorphine (apologies to non-Corstorphine singers. Soon we shall all be under one roof.) If you can only attend one rehearsal period, that’s fine.
Monday lunchtimes, 12.30 to 1.00, Conference Centre A
January 29
February 19/26
March 5/12/26
Tuesday evenings, 6.30 to 7.30, Conference Centre A
January 23/30
February 6/13/20/27
March 6/13/20/27
For those interested, I have recorded a CD of all of Montgomerie’s songs (not entitled ‘The Full Monty’!): http://www.sanctuaryclassics.com/product_details.php?productId=5974
So, singers and instrumentalists are welcome to come along. Either let me know by email (music@qmuc.ac.uk) or just turn up. Please put the above dates in your diary. It’s ok if you miss two or three!
The Choir of QMUC and the Back Row Singers will not be meeting this term, so I’ve taken the opportunity to create a small ensemble to explore the 16th-century Scottish part-song repertory.
The songs are a mixture of Scots poetry by the likes of Alexander Montgomerie, and French-influenced rhythms and melodies. The Scots-English is not at all difficult to read, and I will give translations and pronunciations where necessary. The melodies are simple, beautiful and memorable after a couple of sing-throughs.
Rehearsal times: I have booked two periods, one lunchtimes and one Tuesday evenings, both at Corstorphine (apologies to non-Corstorphine singers. Soon we shall all be under one roof.) If you can only attend one rehearsal period, that’s fine.
Monday lunchtimes, 12.30 to 1.00, Conference Centre A
January 29
February 19/26
March 5/12/26
Tuesday evenings, 6.30 to 7.30, Conference Centre A
January 23/30
February 6/13/20/27
March 6/13/20/27
For those interested, I have recorded a CD of all of Montgomerie’s songs (not entitled ‘The Full Monty’!): http://www.sanctuaryclassics.com/product_details.php?productId=5974
So, singers and instrumentalists are welcome to come along. Either let me know by email (music@qmuc.ac.uk) or just turn up. Please put the above dates in your diary. It’s ok if you miss two or three!
Tuesday, 9 January 2007
New Term: January to March 2007
This term we shall be working towards the last ever concert at the Corstorphine Campus before we head off to our nice shiny new campus near Mussleburgh. I've added a side link on the right-hand side of this page to the group activities, rehearsal times and rehearsal venues for this term.
One of the difficulties I've encountered in this post is communication with students, and to that end I'll be putting time into developing the QMusic web presence on the main QMUC website. We have a very limited presence there at the moment. From the front page, click on Community and then QMusic.
Community will be the key word when we move to New Craighall, as we try to engage the local populace in our musical activities. I intend to open up the groups to members of the local communities.
Before that, however, we shall be concentrating on working towards the March concert. Monday 22 January sees the first meeting of the QM Traditional Music Group, so if you play fiddle, whistle, bodhran, accordion, guitar, etc, or sing traditional songs, please get in touch or turn up.
Remember, you can leave comments here, or email me: music@qmuc.ac.uk
Rob MacKillop
One of the difficulties I've encountered in this post is communication with students, and to that end I'll be putting time into developing the QMusic web presence on the main QMUC website. We have a very limited presence there at the moment. From the front page, click on Community and then QMusic.
Community will be the key word when we move to New Craighall, as we try to engage the local populace in our musical activities. I intend to open up the groups to members of the local communities.
Before that, however, we shall be concentrating on working towards the March concert. Monday 22 January sees the first meeting of the QM Traditional Music Group, so if you play fiddle, whistle, bodhran, accordion, guitar, etc, or sing traditional songs, please get in touch or turn up.
Remember, you can leave comments here, or email me: music@qmuc.ac.uk
Rob MacKillop
January to March 2007 - group rehearsal times and venues
QMusic Groups January to March, 2007
Beginners welcome. Choose one of the following groups, and either email me your interest,
music@qmuc.ac.uk or just turn up. Please put the dates in your diary...
Traditional Music Group – fiddles, whistles, guitars, singers, etc, etc Ceilidh songs and dances
Mondays Conference Centre A – 5.15 to 6.30
January 22
February 5/19/26
March 5/12/19/26
Acoustic Music Group – guitars, fiddle, harmonica, bass, keyboard, accordion, flute, vocals, etc – Blues, Steve Earl, ‘Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?’ etc
Tuesdays Conference Centre A – 5.15 to 6.30
January 23/30
February 6/13/20/27
March 6/13/20/27
Beginners welcome. Choose one of the following groups, and either email me your interest,
music@qmuc.ac.uk or just turn up. Please put the dates in your diary...
Traditional Music Group – fiddles, whistles, guitars, singers, etc, etc Ceilidh songs and dances
Mondays Conference Centre A – 5.15 to 6.30
January 22
February 5/19/26
March 5/12/19/26
Acoustic Music Group – guitars, fiddle, harmonica, bass, keyboard, accordion, flute, vocals, etc – Blues, Steve Earl, ‘Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?’ etc
Tuesdays Conference Centre A – 5.15 to 6.30
January 23/30
February 6/13/20/27
March 6/13/20/27
The Helicon Ensemble - 16th-century Scots songs, for voices and instruments. Music from the courts of Mary, Queen of Scots and James VI.
Monday lunchtimes, 1.30 to 2.00, Conference Centre A
January 29
February 19/26
March 5/12/26
QMBigBluesSoulJazzMegaJamBand – guitars, bass, drums, keyboards, horn section, vocals etc – from Blues to Motown: R.E.S.P.E.C.T!
Wednesdays Studio 2– 5.15 to 6.30
January 24/31
February 7/14/21/28
March 7/14/21
Guitar Class – beginners and post beginners
Thursdays Studio 1 – 12.15 to 12.45
January 25
February 1/8/15/22
March 1/8/15/22
Choir of Queen Margaret University College
~ postponed for this term only
There will be an end of term concert of the above groups:
Wednesday 28th March, 6pm to 8pm
Plus, if anyone wants to sing or perform solo with an accompanist (or without), please get in touch. A cellist has been in touch, looking to work with other string players. Please get in touch: music@qmu.ac.uk
Saturday, 6 January 2007
Radio History of Scotland's Music
A monumental radio series has begun on the history of Scottish music. You can hear it online here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/music/scotlandsmusic/episodes/episode_00.shtml. I am delighted to have been invited to contribute. I don't know which episode (50 programmes, broadcast weekly) feature the lute in Scotland. The guide is the incomparable, Dr John Purser, composer, poet and crofter. Well worth tuning in to!
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