Eleonora Savvidou-Missouri currently studying at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, Cardiff talks to us about her experience of curating the conference ‘Chamber music: synergies through time, places and spaces’.
Hi Eleonora, How did this initiative begin?
I’m not quite sure myself how it all began, one day, about a year ago… is it possible to suddenly, out of the blue, set your heart to running a conference?
Perhaps unconventionally, it wasn’t just advocacy for a particular research area that led me on the journey of leading a conference only a couple of months after starting my master’s degree. Like many in their early twenties who are trying to navigate their desired career path, I was shaken by the realisation that finding a means for my enthusiasm to be embraced seemed fraught with difficulties. At the same time, going from a university to a conservatoire setting made me realise that what I envisioned as musicology – something that can ignite fireworks! – was not a common consensus. More often than not, it felt to be conceived as something foreign and scary.
I’d say that the emergence of the conference is attributed to my desire to spark change. I wanted to make music research feel like a space brimming with excitement and possibility – a place where people from all career stages can work together and become friends over shared passions. In hindsight, choosing chamber music as the conference theme was ideal: beyond the thrill of the field’s multifaceted nature, it closely reflects values which I hope will resonate through the event. Friends coming together to talk, perform and celebrate is where it all started, both in the eighteenth-century and now!
How did you choose the guest speakers for the conference?
It was only a couple of hours after I’d first conceived the possibility of hosting a celebratory chamber music conference that I contacted Laura Tunbridge (Heather Professor of Music at Oxford University) to ask if she was up for joining me on the journey. Her course on String Quartets was my favourite part of my undergraduate degree, so it felt like there was no better person to be the keynote lecturer for the conference! From the very start, her support for the event has been unwavering; I can’t imagine the conference without her being a part of it.
I’m delighted that Julia Plaut (Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama tutor and founder of ‘Little Live Projects’ charity), Lucy Green (Emerita Professor of Music Education at University College London), Susan Young (formerly Principal Lecturer in Music Education and Childhood Studies at Exeter University) and Clíona Ní Choileáin (cellist of ‘Hold the Drama’ chamber collective) will also be joining us for a panel discussion on ‘Education & Engagement through Chamber Music’.
Attending one of Julia Plaut’s ‘Little Concerts’ inspired my idea to include a panel discussion on education and engagement as part of the conference. Founded in 2021, Julia’s ‘Little Live Projects’ charity offers interactive live chamber music events to families and children across South Wales; imagine stories set to music, shimmering lights, laughter…
I hadn’t been in contact with Lucy Green prior to the conference, but I feel as if I’ve known her for years through her work. My high school curriculum was based on her teaching philosophy, and I vividly remember my excitement when my music teachers handed me a copy of one of her books to read around 8 years ago. I never thought I’d have the honour of meeting the person that the whole world seemed to know of and talk about.
My choice of inviting Susan Young came through high recommendation; she has been a driving force behind the education programmes at Wigmore Hall and the London Symphony Orchestra, among many others. I had recently come across Wigmore Hall’s ‘Chamber Tots’ scheme and found it particularly compelling – only to realise that it was Susan that had written the programme’s research report!
Keen for the panel discussion to reflect the perspectives of educators, researchers, and performers, Clíona Ní Choileáin will be joining us to represent ‘Hold the Drama’. ‘Hold the Drama’ is a chamber collective of 6 classically trained musicians who curate and deliver live music shows that ‘tell stories to explore mental health’.
I’ve been really struck by the generosity, willingness and enthusiasm of all the guest speakers to be part of the event. I know I’m biased, but we seem to have the most amazing line up!
If you were to offer advice to others your age, based on your experiences with the conference, what would it be?
I feel that many students and graduates often encounter barriers: there always seems to be someone or something to remind us of how competitive everything is or the difficulties we will face. What often goes forgotten, though, is how much every discipline needs more people that genuinely care for what they do. If I’d give one piece of advice to anyone my age it would be to think of something that combines everything you’re passionate about and do it – no matter what. It will make the world feel a better place, it will give back like nothing else can. But the magic will only work if you set your heart to it…
Join us on the 13th of March at the Norwegian Church Arts Centre in Cardiff for a one-day conference celebrating the place of chamber music in past and present communities and advocating for its continued livelihood as we look into the future. The event will feature a panel discussion on Education & Engagement with Prof. Lucy Green, Dr Susan Young, Julia Plaut and Clíona Ní Choileáin, a performance of Mendelssohn’s Octet by the Carducci and Vita Quartets, and a keynote lecture by Prof. Laura Tunbridge.
For more details on the programme of the day, and to register your attendance, visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/chamber-music-synergies-through-time-places-and-spaces-tickets-1980266845442?aff=oddtdtcreator