The Bath Festival 70th anniversary
News
Bath Spa University students and staff contribute to hugely successful 70th year of The Bath Festival
Friday, 6 July, 2018More than 100 Bath Spa University students and staff played an essential part in delivering the 70th anniversary of The Bath Festival to a record-breaking crowd of over 37,000 people.
Across 17 days and 18 different shows, talented students from courses including BA (Hons) Commercial Music, BA (Hons) Music, BA (Hons) Film, TV and Digital Production, MA Arts Management, and BA (Hons) Business and Management (Festivals and Events), showcased what it means to be part of the Bath Spa community at this year’s multi-arts festival.
As well as those who lent a helping hand on stage and behind-the-scenes, students from the University’s Film and TV, Creative Writing and Music and Performance courses joined together to create their first professional, industry-standard promotional music video, Manifesto. The film made its public debut when it aired on giant screens during The Bath Festival Grand Finale which saw acts including Paloma Faith, Alison Moyet, Robert Plant and Midge Ure take to the main stage.
The piece features students from courses including Acting, Dance and Psychology, putting their own unique twist on original lyrics penned and recited by MA Creative Writing student, Danny Pandolfi. Danny, who is also a hip hop poet, was named as one of Rife Magazine’s most influential young Bristolians in 2017. The music for the film, which encapsulates the spirit of Bath Spa University, was composed by Silas Chandler, a current MA Composition student and BA Commercial Music graduate.
The film was creatively produced and directed by the BAFTA Award winning creative team at Burrell, Durrent and Hifle (BDH) in partnership with the crew of Bath Spa University students. BDH, whose previous work includes producing music videos for Kylie Minogue and Robbie Williams, gave students real insight into the inner-workings of creating a high-end production.
Dr Susan McMillan who oversees the creative industries programme at Bath Spa University’s Newton Park campus said: “At Bath Spa Studios we are now developing talent in collaboration with industry and this film really captures what we mean by creative – it was written by students, composed by students, performed by students and made by students working with one of the most successful creative companies in the region.”
Collaboration is key
From filming to singing, the theme of collaboration was key as the Bath Spa University Choir, formed by students from the music department, put on a show-stopping performance in Bath Abbey as part of the festival’s Party in the City. The Choir, led by Music Director Francis Faux, performed composer Thomas Hewitt Jones' choral piece, Oculi Omnium. Hewitt Jones shared the performance on his official Facebook page saying it was a ‘lovely, vibrant choral sound...a gorgeous rendition’.
Bath Spa University Music student and chorister, Emily-May Eccles, also sang an excerpt of Grammy Award-winner Christopher Tin's, Calling All Dawns. The group’s performance follows their recent festival appearance in twinned Bath city, Aix-en-Provence, and the Wiltshire Music Centre.
Professor Andy Salmon, Executive Dean of the College of Liberal Arts at Bath Spa University, said: “This event represents an exciting intensification of the partnership between Bath Spa University and The Bath Festival, and the energy that has gone into making this year such a huge success is evident.
"The performances, collaborations and hard work from students and staff really highlights the University’s manifesto for creativity and showcases the incredible talent that exists in this city. Everyone should be very proud of what they have achieved - the tone for next year's Bath Festival has surely been set."
Nurturing talent and creativity
Throughout the fun-filled Festival, Bath Spa University students and staff welcomed a number of performers on stage. Bath Spa University Vice-Chancellor Professor Sue Rigby introduced acclaimed novelist Roddy Doyle, Students’ Union President Ryan Lucas introduced comedian and writer Robert Webb, and MA Heritage Management student Tegan Murray interviewed historian and BBC Civilisations presenter, David Olusoga.
Bath Spa University students also hosted Bath Introduces – an exciting opportunity for musicians and singer-songwriters to enter a competition to play on the main stage at the Bath Rec as part of the Finale Weekend. Bath Spa University’s very own Commercial Music students Douglas Evans, Harry Housego, Silas Chandler Blackburn, Faye Dolle and Curtis Connor all made it to the final, and performed on the main stage, but they were pipped to the post by this year’s winner and Bath local, Isobel Holly, whose indie-folk and soul tones impressed the judges.
Many of the University’s talented graduates also took part in Festival celebrations through SparkFest - an innovative programme of live theatre, music and dance which presented a fresh take on how young talent engages with the Bath community.
With a jam-packed series of events it was certainly a 70th celebration to remember. Well done to all who made The Bath Festival 2018 such a success!