Unearthing Submerged Narratives in Classical Music Histography & Education

As part of Black History Month the University of Wolverhampton is pleased to present a presentation by Professor Shirley J. Thompson OBE, PhD, DLitt, DMus, FHEA FRSA, Composer, Artistic Director, Professor of Music Conductor, Film-Maker, Historian, Writer, Violinist, Cultural Activist.

Taking place on Thursday 29 October at 6 pm, in this presentation, Professor Thompson challenges the way in which conventional classical music histography is compiled and taught in schools, universities, and music conservatories around the world.

Conventional musicology was compiled during the colonial period of the western European empires. As such, contributions to the genre by the colonised was not included and thereby overlooked. The narrative of the previous colonisers has persisted, but this presentation explores a parallel and more inclusive history of classical music.

The music of composer Shirley J. Thompson is performed and screened worldwide and often described as “superbe” (Le Figaro). A visionary artist and cultural activist, Thompson is the first woman in Europe to have composed and conducted a symphony within the last 40 years. New Nation Rising, A 21st Century Symphony performed and recorded by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is an epic musical story celebrating London’s thousand-year history, and one in which the RPO is accompanied by two choirs, solo singers, a rapper and dhol drummers, a total of nearly 200 performers. This extraordinary work was originally commissioned to celebrate Her Majesty the Queen’s Golden Jubilee in 2002 and the concept was latterly assumed as a framework for the 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony. She has also composed extensively for TV/film, theatre, dance and opera production, always driven by the belief in the transformative power of music to affect social, cultural and political change. She was honoured with an OBE for Services to Music after years innovating the classical music forms and attracting new audiences to classical music/opera with her sound that represents a progressive Britain.

Thompson’s musical experience began with her playing the violin for various youth symphony orchestras in London, as well as choral singing with local choirs in Newham. After studying Musicology at the University of Liverpool and then specialising in Composition at Goldsmiths’ College, her first major commission came from the Greenwich International Festival, when she composed a chamber orchestral work entitled Visions (visions of self determination for Caribbean nations) performed by the Greenwich Ensemble.

The event is free and can be booked through Eventbrite: https://shirleythompson.eventbrite.co.uk