The Kelvin Ensemble was founded in 1991 by a group of enterprising students at Glasgow University, to allow musicians from all faculties to perform challenging music to the highest level, and produce public performances led by professional conductors.
Since its formation the Ensemble has gone from strength to strength and is now recognised as one of the leading non-professional chamber orchestras in Scotland. Its reputation has earned its musicians invitations to perform throughout the country, including representing Glasgow University in prestigious music festivals. The Ensemble's own concerts in the University's magnificent Bute Hall and Chapel regularly attract sell-out audiences as well as representation from the national press.
The Kelvin Ensemble is ideally placed to foster local and young talent whether it is amongst its own members or in its choice of conductors and soloists. An impressive line up of conductors has directed previous concerts including John Lubbock, Christopher Bell, William Conway, Nigel Boddice and Garry Walker.
The Ensemble has also been the recipient of numerous awards in recognition of its pioneering work. These have included:
- British Telecom/National Federation of Music Societies Innovation Award
- Enterprise in Higher Education Award
- National Heritage "Pairing Scheme" Award
- British Reserve Insurance Award
- Proctor & Gamble Clubs and Societies Award
The Ensemble has competed for several years in the National Association of Youth Orchestras Festival, and we often receive requests to play at concerts with other community music groups. The Ensemble has also produced two recordings : "New Romantic Piano Music" by Callum Kenmuir, and Erik Chisholm's Piano Concerto No.1 - and we frequently include world premiers of works by composers in our programme.
The Ensemble celebrated its tenth anniversary in 2001, which was marked by a hugely successful joint concert with Edinburgh University Chamber Orchestra. In addition it marked the beginning of another ambitious and exciting decade, and the document "The Next Ten Years" sets out our aims and objectives for this period. We now enjoy good links with the University Music Department as well as receiving generous support from other departments, and we are now looking at ways to improve these opportunities. In 2001 we were delighted that Sir and Lady Fraser agreed to become our Patrons.
This Season we have enjoyed and are looking forward to collaborations with Glasgow University Choral Society, Edinburgh University Chamber Orchestra and Thomas Coats Memorial Choral Society. Due to the massive number of applications to join the Ensemble this year, we are also looking at organising regular professional coaching sessions held within "Open Rehearsals".
All these features demonstrate that the Kelvin Ensemble is at the forefront of the amateur music community in Scotland. We hope to be able to welcome you to one of our concerts in the near future. In 2001 the committee published "The Next Ten Years" as a statement of the Ensemble's current position, and how we intend to develop in the future.
Player Profiles
Players in the Kelvin Ensemble come from a wide range of backgrounds.
Laura - Flute
Laura has been a member of the Ensemble since Spring 2002. In that time she has already taken on the committee roles of both Strings and BWP Manager. A music student at Glasgow University, she likes the wide range of opportunities that exist within Kelvin, and the fact that the student committee makes all the artistic decisions about future programmes.
Quintin - Cello
Quintin is a stalwart player, with this year his eighth of being involved. He has been in various committee positions including chairperson, and finds that the Ensemble rehearsal pattern fits well around his studies in architecture at Glasgow Art School. Quintin has led the cellos for many years, but is soon to move on as this year is Quintin's last in the Ensemble.
Paul - Viola
Paul joined the Kelvin Ensemble during his year away from California University in the US. Despite the West Coast similarities (minus the beaches, warm weather, surfing etc. etc.), he goes back to the States to continue his studies in Politics at the end of this academic year. Paul led the violas for several of our concerts this year.
Hazel - Double Bass
Hazel is a third year medical student from Glasgow. She started playing the double bass aged 11 when one of the music teachers caught her twanging the strings of the school's one!
Joseph - Violin
Joseph, a first-year law student, started playing violin at the age of five, and went on to become a pupil at the Music School of Douglas Academy. He has toured with the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland and played with Camerata Scotland, amongst other local and national ensembles. A pupil of Edwin Paling (leader of the RSNO), he led our most recent concert with Thomas Coats Choral Society.
Marianne - Oboe
Marianne is a student of English Literature & Theatre Studies at Glasgow Uni. Originally from Edinburgh, she enjoys the opportunities to play with professional conductors and also finds that the rehearsal schedule fits in with her studies. At the EUCO concert she accidentally left her oboe in a taxi - Kelvin owes serious amounts of gratitude to Strathclyde Police who tracked it down in time for the concert! "I like Kelvin because it's a good way to keep up your playing and be able to take part in concerts if you're not studying music. It's also quite sociable."
Andrew - Bassoon
Aberdeen-born Andrew is in his second year of studying music at Glasgow University. He has been playing the bassoon for seven years and studies with Alison Green (of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra). He has been playing with Kelvin since starting his studies at university, and also enjoys playing the contra and other ensembles when he has time. Andrew is now in his second year of looking after the money of the Ensemble - he is our treasurer. He is an enthusiastic member who likes the committee effort that goes into organising each concert.
Martin - Cello
Martin, who comes from Peebles in the Borders, is in his first year of Electronics & Music at Glasgow University. Previously he played in Peebles Orchestra and Borders Chamber Orchestra for eight years, and is a pupil of Neil Johnstone. "I like playing in Kelvin because it has a relaxed social atmosphere. Plus you get the chance to work with great conductors and perform in well-attended concerts." The hair changes colour for each concert.