100 students studying in the University of Kent’s School of Music and Fine Art will give a concert of one of the Beatles’ best-loved albums, the B side of Abbey Road. Starting with George Harrison’s uplifting and heart-warming song, ‘Here Comes the Sun’, the Abbey Road B-side then takes the listener on a kaleidoscopic tour of an array of musical genres and styles through psychedelia, soul, rock, blues, vaudeville, proto-punk, country and worksong to finish with a pulsating gospel number lavished with hard rock guitar solos. This performance ends with a gigantic symphonic conclusion and features orchestral and choral sections throughout.

Ben Curry, Lecturer in Music in the School of Music & Fine Art at the University of Kent’s Medway campus comments:  “This is a fascinating piece of music – yes, it’s pop music but its musical scope and dynamism is serious and compelling from beginning to end.  Our performance is true to the spirit of the Beatles’ album with great solo singers and instrumentalist, but the use of the 80-strong choir alongside the brilliant orchestral arrangements of the Beatles’ producer, George Martin, draws out the symphonic potential of this wonderful series of seamlessly connected song.”

The concert also features two very different 2oth century minimalist works: Steve Reich’s Electric Counterpoint for guitar ensemble and Gavin Bryars’ ‘Jesus’ Blood Never Failed Me Yet’ for mixed ensemble and tape.

To purchase tickets, which cost £7 (£5 students)  please use the links below:

The Royal Dockyard Church, Historic Dockyard Chatham on Wednesday 9th March at 7.30pm  http://store.kent.ac.u

Colyer-Fergusson Concert Hall, University of Kent Canterbury on Friday 11th March at 7.30pm  https://uk.patronbase.com

IMAGE credit: Stacey Cooper