A welcome message from Dr Nigel Yandell, Director of Music
I would like to welcome all new students to the college – as well as welcome back all existing members – and to encourage you very warmly to pursue your musical interests during your time in Cambridge.
As a Cambridge student you will find many opportunities to play, sing and listen to music, both in college and beyond. Whether you are drawn to jazz, chamber music, Broadway musicals or rock; whether you wish to start a choir, share your home culture with others, or try something for the first time; whether you are an expert or beginner – we want to hear from you! Our Events pages list the many upcoming events at college including a wide array of musical opportunities.
The Music Planning Group organises a wide-ranging programme of musical events throughout the academic year, with opportunities for student participation. These would normally include themed evenings (such as American Thanksgiving and Christmas Carols), local bands and performers, and professional concerts. If you would like to join the mailing list, please contact music@hughes.cam.ac.uk.
Whether you are drawn to jazz, chamber music, Broadway musicals or rock; whether you wish to start a choir, share your home culture with others, or try something for the first time; whether you are an expert or beginner – we want to hear from you!
For those of you interested in singing, Hughes Hall Choir rehearses on Tuesday evenings at 6.15 pm in the Pavilion Room during term. The choir offers opportunities to sing a wide range of music types. Whatever your ability, if you want to sing, please come along! Amy Klohr, Choir Director and Senior Member, is pleased to consider Hughes’ students as private pupils and is always happy to give further advice about vocal opportunities in and around Cambridge. For other instrumental teaching, our Teams music site is a good starting point to make enquiries or share knowledge.
Hughes Hall also hosts the Cambridge Graduate Orchestra which rehearses regularly. If you are interested in joining, please contact Alex Reid (awnr2), who will be happy to hear from you.
We are aware that many of our students play an instrument, or sing, and wish to maintain practice. The college allows music in its accommodation, in accordance with the ‘quiet hours’ guidelines (11pm-7am), outlined on our Accommodation page. Please be sensitive to your neighbours with regards to levels of volume.
The college also has an upright practice piano located in the Maletin Room. No booking is required and access is available when the room is not being used for college purposes. This piano should generally be used for silent practice so as not to disturb studying residents – details of how to play silently are on display. You will need to provide your own headphones.
The College also has a small music room, with a digital keyboard, which can be used for private practice. This is located in Gresham Court. To apply for access, please email music@hughes.cam.ac.uk giving details of the instrument you play. No booking is required and access is available between 9.00 am and 9.00 pm.
If you would like to sing or perform, hopefully our Music Teams site will provide you with lots of useful information and put you in touch with other musicians. In the coming year there will be at least two ‘Music Cafés’. These provide a great way to get to know people in college and are widely supported.
You may also be interested in the University’s newly established Centre for Music Performance. This will provide you with lots of information about what’s going on musically across both the University and the colleges, as well as many opportunities to participate. The Centre can also help link up students who wish to collaborate musically with others, as well assist those who wish to find an instrumental teacher in Cambridge.
Finally, do keep an eye on the main website music pages for college updates.
With very best wishes for the year ahead.
Nigel Yandell (njy22)
Director of Music & Fellow, Hughes Hall
