Each week, the OUMS newsletter features an interview with someone who positively contributes to the Oxford music scene. This week, we sat down with our new webmaster, Kira, to ask about her musical activities in Oxford.
Kira Lee
Violinist and Singer
Tell us a bit about yourself!
Hi! I’m Kira, a first-year muso at catz, and your new webmaster. Outside of my degree, I’m most likely to be found playing the violin, singing, reading, or blogging.Â
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What are you working on at the moment?
I’m currently exploring violin works by Grace Williams and Elizabeth Maconchy, which has been super exciting, since one of the pieces is unpublished! It’s quite special to work with a relatively blank canvas, and to explore the friendship between Williams and Maconchy. I’m also nibbling away at Oliver Knussen’s ‘Four Late Poems’- possibly the craziest song cycle I’ve ever encountered!
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What has your favourite musical experience been at Oxford so far?
If I had to pick one, I think it would be our piano trio’s performance of Clara Schumann’s Piano Trio in the Holywell Music Room. I absolutely adore playing in a chamber ensemble, especially when the repertoire is as gorgeous as Schumann’s Trio.
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Where can you see yourself going in the future?Â
I never thought I’d say this, but I’d love to pursue my academic interests further, so I guess you could say…the library? I’ll definitely still be playing and singing too, I don’t see myself letting choirs and chamber groups go anytime soon!
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Give us a music recommendation!
Tough question- I think I’ll go with this fantastic album of Madeleine Dring’s Cabaret Songs. ‘I Hate Music’ and ‘I’ve Found the Proms’ would be my favourites, but they are all so much fun to listen to and riddled with quotes from well-known pieces. I think there’s potential for a ‘name that quote’ game to be played when listening!
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To find out more about the OUMS newsletter and our interviews, email the new OUMS Secretary Annie Horan at secretary@oums.co.uk.