PCMS
Pembroke College Music Society
Patrons: Lord Smith of Finsbury, Professor Sam Barrett, Professor Loraine Gelsthorpe, Miss Anna Lapwood, Professor Robert Mayhew, Miss Jayne Ringrose, Lady Tomkys, The Reverend Canon Brian Watchorn
Senior Treasurer: Mr Andrew Morris
President: Ailsa McTernan
Secretary: Rhys King
Junior Treasurer: Jack Marley
PCMS Committee: Jonathan Bingham, Claire Carroll, Andreana Chan, Matthew Cresswell, Molly Hord, Marayam Giraud, Amy Keller, Henry Kim, Tom de Csilléry
Pembroke College Music Society (PCMS) is a vibrant and active music society.
PCMS creates an inclusive and sympathetic environment for all college musicians can perform and enjoy their music-making. Music of all cultures is encouraged. Some members are very talented musicians, and others are less experienced and less confident, but everyone is encouraged to participate in the many opportunities offered to them each term.
PCMS runs a regular series of concerts during term time, which are free for everyone to attend: 'Saturdays at Five' in the Auditorium, from 5 PM to 6 PM, and 'Chapel Lates', in the Chapel, on Tuesdays from 7.45 PM to 8.45 PM.
Members of the general public are always most welcome to join the audience. These concerts are an opportunity to showcase musical talent from Pembroke College as well as the University as a whole.
Forthcoming PCMS concerts
Saturdays at 5
Our weekly concert series, featuring performers from Pembroke and beyond each Saturday at 5 PM.
Saturday 27 April - Muso Recital: Ahead of their degree performances, Pembroke's own music students Mark Wadey, Maryam Giraud, Molly Hord, Amy Keller, and Jack Marley will present some of their favourite works on a range of instruments. Spanning the Baroque to the contemporary, this is not a concert to be missed! Auditorium
Saturday 11 May - Christine Buras & Joshua Ryan: The first of our guest performers of this term, Christine Buras & Joshua Ryan will present a sumptuous hour-long programme including Schumann's Frauenliebe und Leben, Op. 42 and Strauss' Vier letzte Lieder. Auditorium
Saturday 18 May - Daphne Delfas & Lilly Vadaneaux: Instrumental Award holder Daphne Delfas (Clare, 2021) and pianist Lilly Vadaneaux (Clare, 2021) present an exciting recital to include: J.S. Bach's Fantasia in C minor BWV 906; Leonid Desyatnikov's selections from Songs of Bukovina and 24 Preludes for Piano; Lowell Liebermann's Nocturne No. 4; Huw Watkins' Reflection for Violin and Piano; and Beethoven's Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 10 in G. Auditorium
Saturday 8 June - Hanna Simojoki: Curated by Hanna Simojoki (2021) alongside Matthew Cresswell (2021) and Daniel Simojoki (Trinity, 2023), this concert explores Hanna’s musical upbringing with a selection of piano trios and solo works for strings. Auditorium
Chapel Lates
Relaxed evening concerts followed by drinks in the College Chapel on Tuesdays at 7:45 PM.
Tuesday 7 May - Jack Marley: Music student Jack Marley (2022) presents a relaxing programme of solo Bach works and poetry.
Tuesday 28 May - PemBaroque: Alumnus David Galbraith-Woods (1962) leads the newly formed Pembroke Baroque ensemble in a concert celebrating the connection between Pembroke College and Dr William Boyce, whose 1749 doctoral presentation included an ode and anthem to words by a friend studying at Pembroke. Countertenor Felix Blake (Selwyn & King’s) joins them in songs by Pembroke’s Christopher Smart set to music by Boyce, in addition to a solo recital of English consort music.
Tuesday 1 June - Jessica Folwell: Archaeology student Jessica Folwell (Clare, 2021) presents a 30-minute programme of heart-wrenching songs to include: Schubert's Gretchen am Spinnrade, Blondel zu Marien; Libby Larsen's Big Sister Say; Roger Quilter's Music, When Soft Voices Die: Cheryl Frances-Hoad's 2 Shakespeare Songs; and James MacMillan's Scots Song.
AND!
Saturday 15 June (TBC) - May Week Concert: The annual end of term concert given by Anna Lapwood MBE and the Chapel Choir, alongside Pembroke’s graduating musicians. Starts at 7.00 PM.
Monday 17 June - Eisteddfod Caergrawnt: A creative space for students and staff to relax after the busy exam period – modelled after the Welsh Eisteddfod – with a range of competitions and activities including solo singing, instrumental music, poetry and creative writing, recitation, photography, visual art and more. 9 AM - 6 PM, Recital Room (4 Mill Lane).
Past PCMS Concerts
On Saturday 29th January 2022, a concert of instrumental and vocal music, curated by Organ Scholar Andreana Chan, was performed in the Chapel.
On Saturday 19th June 2021, clarinettist Tom Myles, first violinist Tom de Csilléry, second violinist Emma Paterson, violist Julius Kiln, and cellist Seth Collins performed Brahms’ Clarinet Quintet in B minor, Op. 115, in the Chapel.
On Saturday 5th June 2021, Owen Saldanha gave a piano recital in the Master's Lodge.
On 29th May 2021, the JTN Trio and Jonathan Bingham (saxophone) played a concert of jazz.
A concert on 22nd May 2021 concert included classical Chinese music performed on the guzheng by Keyi Yu, piano barcarolles by Fauré and Chopin, played by Frank Huo, and two pieces for the cello and piano played by Joel Penrose and Owen Saldanha.
PCMS also organises the Kenderdine Concerts, which take place termly on Saturdays at 4 pm, usually in the Chapel. These concerts are given by guest artists and commemorate the commitment to College music of the late Dr Sidney Kenderdine. A small charge is usually made to the general public for entry.