my musical journey,” Lizzie explains. “On first hearing this work sung on the radio by Emma Kirkby many years ago, I was greatly inspired to begin exploring other works by Bach, as well as other composers. This led to an increasing fascination in listening to and learning about music, contributing to my present studying of Music at Homerton. In this particular movement, Bach beautifully sets a chorale with a simple melody against the contrasting energetic activity of the strings; the soprano’s serenely confident declaration ‘Sei Lob und Preis mit Ehren Gott Vater, Sohn, Heiligem Geist!’ is heard above the string’s joyful dance.” Second year Natural Scientist Swathi Nachiar Manivannan was the winner of the third place prize, for his improvisation of the Indian Carnatic Raga Sri. “Improvisation is a huge part of Indian Classical music, and is something that I’ve been working on more in the past few years,” he says. “With the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, I haven’t really had the will to learn any new pieces or songs, and so when I’ve been practicing, I’ve been doing a lot more improvisation instead. This improvisation is loosely based on one of my favourite Carnatic pieces, the Pancharatna Kriti “Endaro Mahanubavulu” set to the Raga Sri.” Homerton Director of Studies in Music, Dr Daniel Trocmé-Latter, commented: “I’m delighted that, with the usual Homerton performance competition having to be cancelled, HCMS was so willing to jump in to fill the vacuum. It was inspiring to see such a variety of styles among the entries, too.”
The Charter Choir coming together for a virtual Evensong
HIGHLY-COMMENDED Ollie Carr/Olivia Miller/Noah Poulson – Cherry Wine Amelia Calladine – Allegro and Minuet for Two Flutes Nadya Miryanova – Fantasie Impromptu THIRD PLACE Swathi Nachiar Manivannan – improvisation of the Carnatic Raga Sri JOINT FIRST PRIZE Georgie Deri – Wannabe Lizzie Robbings – Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen
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ith no chapel on-site, Homerton enjoys a unique relationship with its neighbouring church, St John the Evangelist, Hills Road. Under normal circumstances, the Charter Choir sings a weekly Evensong at the church during term-time, while the organ scholars have access to the church instrument for practice and recitals. Sadly, with College and church both closed during lockdown, there has been little opportunity since March either for collective worship or for the choir to sing together. However, to mark the end of the academic year, a remote Evensong took place over YouTube. Choir members sang separately from their homes, their voices woven together by the Director of Music, Dr Daniel Trocmé-Latter. The Principal and Fellow Emerita Trish Maude contributed to the service from the church itself, which had just reopened, while students offered prayers and readings from a distance. Conducted by the Priestin-Charge, the Revd James Shakespeare, the service enabled students, Fellows, staff and alumni to mark the end of a unique academic year, in true 2020 fashion, separately and yet together.
Georgie Deri
HOMERTON COLLEGE COLLEGE HOMERTON
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