Trinity Laban is deeply saddened to learn of cuts to the BBC Orchestras and the disbandment of the BBC Singers. We want to express our utmost appreciation for the Trinity Laban alumni and staff who play and sing in these ensembles. Their success has had a positive impact on so many, including our conservatoire. BBC artists are among the finest musicians in the World, and their loss this week is devastating. There is a desperate need for schemes to promote music across the nation, as outlined in the BBC’s new strategy, but also for exemplars at the highest level of performance to inspire young people to enter this profession.

Of course, this is not the first time in recent months that deep cuts to the classical music sector have been announced, a concerning trend that we must work hard and collaboratively to reverse. At Trinity Laban we remain steadfast in our commitment to training students from all backgrounds in readiness for a changing music industry.

CoLab 2023 has begun. Trinity Laban’s annual celebration of cross-disciplinary collaboration and creativity returns for the next two weeks. 900 students from our Faculties of Dance and Music come together with staff and visiting artists from around the world to create works rooted in imagination and experimentation. 

Guided by expert mentors, students take over classrooms, hallways, studios and theatre spaces with CoLab becoming renowned world wide for its revolutionary approach. 74 wide-ranging projects will explore subjects such as community, relationships, world-music, gender and politics, all centred on a revitalising and hopeful theme of ‘A Better Place’.  

Find out what the TL community has been developing in an explosive series of lunchtime concerts and evening showcases, beginning on Thursday 16 February and ending with an otherworldly finale at The Queen’s House, Royal Museums Greenwich, on Saturday 25 February.  

Join us on 17 February to experience these standout highlights: TaSTE (Tracking and Smart Textiles Environments) exploring technologies that capture physical movement and transform the human body into a musical instrument (17 Feb, 19.00-19.30), a collaboration with the University of Southern California (USC) between USC choreographers and TL composers (17 Feb, 19:30-21:00), and Clod Ensemble’s project in which the audience share the dance floor with professional dancers and a live twelve-piece band Laban (17 Feb, 21.30).   

CoLab 2023, Final Night (24 Feb, 19:30-22:30) is the climax of extraordinary talent bursting at the seams on the verge of great accomplishments. Expect risk-taking creativity that perfectly encapsulates why new work is more important than ever.   

Check out the full programme on our What’s On page.

A huge congratulations to Lewis Chinn, who wowed adjudicators and audience members alike with his magnificent tuba performance at last night’s Gold Medal Showcase 2023. Lewis is currently in the final year of his BMus (Hons) in the Wind, Brass and Percussion Department, studying Tuba with Les Neish.

Lewis Chinn wins the Trinity Laban Gold Medal and Audience Prize 2023. Photo: John Hunter

The adjudicators, Chief Executive of innovative charity Sound and Music Susanna Eastburn MBE and renowned jazz trombonist, writer and producer Winston Rollins, chaired by TL’s Director of Music Dr Aleksander Szram, commented on Lewis’s impressive technical abilities whilst bringing enormous amounts of joy and exuberance to his playing. 

Left to right: Dr. Aleksander Szram, Lewis Chinn, Winston Rollins, Susanna Eastburn MBE at the presentation of the Gold Medal and Audience Prize 2023. Photo: John Hunter

Aleks Szram said on behalf of the panel:  

“This was a spectacular evening, with all finalists showing, with their captivating performances, the many different types of excellence that emerge from our institution. This variety of artistry is what we stand for, and long may it continue.”

“Lewis – you made us want to dance! We were impressed not just by your incredible control of the instrument, but also by your sense of enjoyment which was infectious. You are an extraordinary musician and a tuba revelation.”

All of our talented finalists Reuben Browne, Lewis Chinn, Nathen Durasamy, Rebecka Edlund, Harold Gordon-Smith, Kyle Hutchings and Juliet Wallace performed spectacularly and delighted everyone with an eclectic mix of musical theatre, experimental jazz, classical and contemporary music. 

Thanks go to our adjudication panel, to the Artistic Director of Gold Medal 2023 and host Dominic Murcott, to Ben Leigh-Grosart for his accompanying films to introduce each performer; to Principal Anthony Bowne for his inspiring introduction and welcome, and to all the staff who helped make the event a success.

Lewis Chinn with Micah Baker, Percussionist who performed together at the Gold Medal 2023. Photo: John Hunter

You can watch all the performances from the night until 19 February on catch-up here:  

Watch the Trinity Laban Gold Medal Showcase 2023

 You can see Lewis’ winning performance from 2.27 onwards 

Interested in studying at Trinity Laban and taking your music career further? Find out more about all our music programmes here 

Celebrating Trinity Laban’s outstanding musicians

The Gold Medal is an annual showcase where seven finalists are nominated by the Heads of Department for their high level of creativity and musicianship, receiving a Director’s Prize for Achievement and giving them the opportunity to compete for the renowned award.

The evening is an exclusive chance to listen to Trinity Laban’s extraordinary students on the brink of promising careers from the departments of Strings, Jazz, Composition, Piano & Keyboard, Wind, Brass & Percussion, Vocal Studies and Musical Theatre, showcasing diverse professionalism from across the conservatoire’s Faculty of Music. The winner is announced later that evening, with audience members having a chance to vote too.

The seven finalists are:

Reuben Browne, Musical Theatre

Lewis Chinn (Tuba), Wind, Brass & Percussion

Nathen Durasamy, Composition

Rebecka Edlund (Jazz voice), Jazz

Harold Gordon-Smith (Guitar), Strings

Kyle Hutchings, Piano

Juliet Wallace, Voice

The competition is judged by a panel of Trinity Laban staff and industry experts, which in previous years has included President of EMI Rebecca Allen and Founder, Artistic and Executive Director of the Chineke! Foundation and Honorary Fellow and Visiting Professor of Double Bass at Trinity Laban Chi-chi Nwanoku OBE.

Last year’s Gold Medal was won by soprano Olivia Bell, who wowed the judges with her emotive performance and bold choice of contemporary repertoire.

Join us next month and witness seven exceptional young artists performing a mix of jazz, classical and contemporary music as they compete for Trinity Laban’s most prestigious prize.

When: Wednesday 1 February 2023

Where: Kings Place, 90 York Way, London, N1 9AG

Time: 19:00

Book early to avoid disappointment.

BOOK HERE

A huge congratulations to all of our students who graduated last term. Over 340 students from our Music, Dance and Musical Theatre faculties celebrated their talent, creativity, and hard work at TL’s Graduation Ceremonies on Tuesday 14 and Wednesday 15 December 2022.

We were also delighted to award a number of Honorary Fellowships to outstanding industry professionals and members of the TL community: Dr Roger Wolman, NHS Consultant in Rheumatology and Sport & Exercise Medicine, Stine Nilsen and Pedro Machado, TL alumni and former Co-artistic Directors of Candoco Dance Company, Sarah Kemp, Chief Executive of Trinity College London for the past 14 years, and Gilles Peterson, established BBC Radio broadcaster, DJ and record executive. 

The Honorary Fellows were nominated for incredible achievements throughout their careers. Dr Roger Wolman for dedicating his time to treating and supporting injured dancers and for his pioneering research into dance injuries, Gilles Peterson for championing new music, particularly jazz, and supporting and promoting young artists, Stine Nilsen and Pedro Machad for pushing the boundaries of how dance is viewed and  increasing accessibility and diversity within the artform, and Sarah Kemp for the commitment and devotion to Trinity College London during her time as CEO from 2008 to 2021.

This year’s Honorary Fellowships were presented by Professor Anthony Bowne, TL’s Principal, and Havilland Willshire, TL’s Director of Music.

A special thank you goes to our inspiring guests of honour, Luca Silvestrini, Co-Founder and Artistic Director of the award-winning company, Protein Dance, and Sam Jackson, TL Governor and Executive Vice President, Global Classics and Jazz at Universal Music Group.  

From L to R: Pedro Machado, Professor Anthony Bowne, Stine Nilsen, Dr Roger Wolman, Alan Davey CBE and Luca Silvestrini.

From L to R – Top step: Sam Jackson and Geoffrey Copeland. Bottom step: Gilles Peterson, Sarah Kemp, Professor Anthony Bowne and Havilland Willshire.

Gilles Peterson eloquently expressed what the award meant to him: “It’s a huge career highlight for me being made a Fellow of Trinity, following in the illustrious footsteps of legends such as Ravi Shankar and Norma Winstone. And the first DJ to get a Fellowship too – truly honoured.” 

On receiving their award, TL alumni and former Co-artistic Directors of Candoco Dance Company Stine Nilsen and Pedro Machado commented: “We are very grateful for receiving the honorary fellowship from Trinity Laban, where we met and became friends in 1993, and value it as an acknowledgement of the work we did together with an amazing team of artists and colleagues at Candoco Dance Company during our time as Artistic Co-Directors 2007-2017.”  

Even though both days saw Trinity Laban facing extreme weather conditions and train strikes, the event was an incredible success and a special day to be treasured by all participants, staff, students, and family members.   

MA Creative Practice student, Lauren Auyeung, joyfully said on graduating: “I’m excited to now be in charge of my own schedule, taking the reins of my art and and making exciting new connections.”

Image credits: JK Photography