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Eleanor Haward: "Words and their influence on text-setting in sacred choral music: a quantitative analysis project and original composition portfolio"
This research project explores the role of word meaning and word perception in informing composers’ choices. Through data analysis and original composition it examines the connection between words and harmony in multiple musical settings of the same sacred texts. This study aims to investigate whether composers set the same words in similar ways across musical eras. It considers whether choral music within the Western Art tradition has an emotional grammar, outside of era-specific characteristics, and if particular harmonies can be used to enhance the meaning of words. This research seeks new methods of creative practice that are historically informed, which can create meaningful emotional experiences for listeners and performers. The ultimate output of this project is a composition portfolio, with music written in response to the data.
Eleanor is a composer from Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. She is currently studying for her PhD in Composition with Dr Phillip Cooke and Dr John De Simone at the University of Aberdeen. Her research explores the relationship between words and harmony and in her current project she is analysing compositional choices in multiple musical settings of the same sacred texts. She is interested in music perception and cognition, and how we use music to communicate emotion. Eleanor is a music teacher, and she sings with the Bury Bach Choir and the Lucy Cavendish Singers in Cambridge.
Lauren Hossack: Tracing the 'Spirit of Show': exploring the archive of Aberdeen's Student ShowWith reference to material from the University of Aberdeen's Special Collections, this presentation will draw on archival research exploring the history of the Aberdeen Student Show, a Doric musical performed annually by the city's students in aid of local charities. It will consider how such material reflects on themes of language use and identity in North-East Scotland over the past century.
Lauren is a researcher working towards a PhD in English and Ethnology and Folklore with a project entitled 'Performing language and identity through Aberdeen Student Show.' This project is supervised by Dr Elizabeth Elliott and Dr Thomas A. McKean and supported by an Elphinstone Scholarship from the University of Aberdeen.
- Hosted by
- University of Aberdeen Department of Music
- Venue
- New King's, NK10
- Contact
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This seminar is also on zoom please click here to access online.