Building on its historic tradition to make education accessible for all, the University of Westminster has set out to become a London hub of live performance, giving the public free or affordable access to the arts and entertainment across London.
The Quintin Hogg Trust-funded Live Performance project aims to transform the University into a versatile live performance venue. By partnering with key players in the industry such as The Ivors Academy, Sofar Sounds and more, the project gives students a platform to showcase their work and a space for the public to discover a variety of art forms.
The project, which will be welcomed by many amid the cost-of-living crisis, most recently hosted the Organ+ Festival, where Londoners had the chance to experience a series of eclectic events combining organ music with jazz, a horror movie, poetry, pop, soul music and more.
The festival ran from 4 October to 6 December and began with an Organ + Choir event title Handel and Beyond at St George’s Hanover Square, Mayfair. The pay-what-you-can event consisted of a vibrant programme designed to showcase the organ's versatility across different genres. Beginning with the timeless elegance of Handel, the concert took a journey through to gospel and jazz, seamlessly blending a variety of musical styles. The programme was led by organist and composer Bel Comeau, accompanied by a University of Westminster vocal ensemble and the Trinity Laban Chapel Choir.
On 25 October the festival continued with an event at the Regent Street Cinema, featuring a screening of the silent movie classic Nosferatu which was accompanied by live organ music. The evening opened with an introduction by Dr Lucy Ann Harrison, Assistant Head of School of Arts at the University of Westminster, who discussed the link between the organ and horror films, and the pivotal role organists played in the silent film era. Following this, the screening of Nosferatu provided 90 minutes of spine-tingling entertainment.
Photo credit: Aditya Misra
This was followed by an Organ + New Works concert, which took place on 29 November in Westminster’s historic Fyvie Hall and showcased the work of Music Production, Performance and Business BA Honours students and staff from the University of Westminster. Their work was composed for the organ and they performed the music alongside established composers in a variety of contemporary genres.
The final concert in the series was a multi-disciplinary event on 6 December which merged music and the spoken word. Hosted at Fyvie Hall, students from Creative Writing and Poetry modules showcased their work in a live performance in dialogue with the organ, exploring themes of identity, music, form and the environment. For many students, it was their first time writing in direct response to organ music, which resulted in bold experimentation and a deeper engagement with sound and language. Their poems reflected a creative synergy with the organ’s tonal and thematic elements, resulting in a compelling fusion of poetry and music.
The Organ + Festival is just one of the many live events taking place at the University of Westminster as part of the Live Performance project.
On behalf of the Live Performance team Valeria Perboni, Creative Projects Co-ordinator, said: “This programme has been a vital platform for reimagining the organ’s role in contemporary music practice and education, while making the instrument more accessible. Across four events, we’ve witnessed remarkable creativity and collaboration, empowering students from different disciplines to engage with the organ in new and meaningful ways. Looking ahead to 2025, we’re excited to expand the programme with more organ festival events, and new collaborations and initiatives to help students not only learn about the organ’s cultural significance but also have the opportunity to learn how to play it. This project aligns with our broader mission to transform our venues into inclusive spaces for live music and performance in Central London, while providing students with a variety of creative platforms and opportunities to get involved in live performance, both on and off stage.”
This series directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 3: Good Health and Wellbeing and 4: Reducing Inequalities. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
Find out more about upcoming events at the University of Westminster.
Photo credit Nicholas Ma