Honorary Fellow funds new sound system to enrich life in College

St Catharine’s College has unveiled a state-of-the-art sound system in the Chapel to enrich the lives of students, staff and Fellows alike, following a donation from Honorary Fellow and alumnus Nigel Hess (1971, Music).

In addition to enhancing worship and performances, high-quality streaming of music will make use of the sound system to encourage members of the College community to step into the Chapel for a moment of respite and inspiration: daily ‘TIME OUT/TUNE IN’ sessions from Thursday 22 October will allow the St Catharine’s community to drop-in to chapel for some relaxing music and help break up the fast-paced Cambridge day. While Nigel made the proposal before the outbreak of COVID-19, the current limitations on live music performance make the installation that much more timely.

As Dr Edward Wickham (2003), Director of Music, explains, “St Catharine’s is committed to continuing to support the wellbeing of our students, staff and Fellows, especially at a time when our lives are so disrupted.Thanks to Nigel’s thoughtful idea and generous donation, I am thrilled that we can now unveil the Chapel’s new bespoke and beautifully immersive sound system, as well as the very first playlist for the ‘TIME OUT/TUNE IN’ drop-in sessions.”

St Catharine's welcomes students, Fellows and staff of all faiths and none. Although the Chapel is a Christian place of worship, it is a much-loved and welcoming place for worship, enjoying music, and peace and quiet. The new system was carefully customised to reflect these special surroundings – both acoustically and aesthetically – as demonstrated by the high-specification speakers sensitively installed in all four corners of the Chapel. The set-up has been designed to ensure a surround-sound experience for anyone, regardless of where they are positioned.

Nigel added, “In hindsight, I realise that we are emulating the morale-boosting concerts that my great-aunt Myra Hess held at the National Gallery during the Second World War, which were also inspired by the healing power of music. I am indebted to David Peace (1966, Classics) for piquing my interest in providing respite for everyone at St Catharine’s through music. It is such a pleasure to know that creating a system such as this in will encourage students, staff and Fellows to take a much-needed break from the day-to-day pressures of modern life – whether they drop in for an hour or 5 minutes.”

Nigel is well-known as a composer for television, theatre, film and the concert hall, and his score for the movie Ladies in Lavender regularly features in Classic FM’s ‘Hall of Fame’. He was admitted as an Honorary Fellow of St Catharine’s in 2016, and the St Catharine’s Girls’ Choir has recently recorded a fully orchestrated version of his Benedictus, composed for the choir in 2008.

About ‘TIME OUT/TUNE IN’

At 12.30–13.30 and 22.00–22.30 every day (except on occasions when there is a lunchtime concert or Night Songs), the new sound system will play music from online play lists, specially curated by members of the College, including music students.

The inaugural play list was selected by Nigel and includes music by Fauré, Delius, Bach, Vaughan Williams, Elgar and Walton. This will play from Thursday 22 October.