We were thrilled to welcome University of Cambridge Fellow and Lecturer, Tim Watts, to King’s to share his creativity and knowledge with some of our most able musicians.
Tim is a Fellow of St John’s College and he holds the post of College Associate Lecturer in Music. He lectures in Tonal Skills, and also supervises courses in Composition and Analysis. Tim is an active composer and pianist, and he also happens to be a King’s Ely parent.
Tim’s masterclass here saw him supporting Prep and Senior musicians to compose their own Christmas carols for voices, with or without instrumental accompaniment. Pupils will be working on their compositions over the coming weeks, ready for them to be performed and judged by Tim at our Recital Series Concert in November. The winning carol will then be sung by Chapel Choir at our Carol Service in the Cathedral in December.
Tim’s music has been performed across the globe. His opera, Kepler’s Trial, was commissioned by St John’s College, and premiered there in 2016, before going to London’s Victoria and Albert Museum in 2017, as part of the acclaimed Opera: Passion, Power and Politics Festival. Other recent works include a new ballet score for Southbank Sinfonia, a touring show based on Michael Foreman’s War Game for Britten Sinfonia, song cycles for Andrew Kennedy and Cerys Purser, as well as several vocal, chamber and choral works for St John’s College.
King’s is renowned for its holistic approach to education, and this is reflected in our outstanding Visual and Performing Arts provision. Music, Drama and Theatre, Fine Art, Fashion and Textiles, Photography and Dance are each embedded in the culture of King’s, with vast opportunities for pupils of all abilities and aspirations. Music is actually one of the reasons King’s came into existence back in 970 AD, and today over a third of students learn a musical instrument or receive vocal tuition. From the Boy and Girl Choristers of Ely Cathedral Choir to jazz and rock bands, orchestras, and our famous all boys’ a cappella group, the King’s Barbers, the quality, range, and variety of ensembles all attest to the school’s musical pedigree.