{"id":1733,"date":"2024-10-18T17:04:22","date_gmt":"2024-10-18T16:04:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.uwe.ac.uk\/alumni\/?p=1733"},"modified":"2025-01-30T10:02:00","modified_gmt":"2025-01-30T10:02:00","slug":"all-singing-all-dancing-alumni","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.uwe.ac.uk\/alumni\/all-singing-all-dancing-alumni\/","title":{"rendered":"All-singing all-dancing alumni"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When the Centre for Music (CFM) relocated this year, they found a box of posters and programmes stretching back to 1990s, showcasing a rich history of talent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Music, theatre and dance can make us laugh and cry, draw us together and give us new perspectives. Over the decades, thousands of alumni and staff have been uplifted and enriched by events staged on campus or in a local performance space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Memories like these stay with you. Did you love music in your student days? Do you remember a special gig or performance that moved you? Did you bond with fellow performers through a production? Is your show in our image archive?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s a brief history of drama and music here at UWE Bristol, stretching back at least 50 years to Bristol Polytechnic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1970s <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Pre Frenchay campus, lively \u2018Bristol Polydrama\u2019 shows were held in the only theatre which was on the Ashley Down site. Rehearsals were usually at the Unity Street site, with creative input from students at Bower Ashton. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Bristol Polydrama’s Serjeant Musgrave’s Dance, May 1975<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Bristol Polydrama’s You Never Can Tell, March 1974<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Bristol Polydrama’s The Drunkard, 1977<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1980s<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Centre for Performing Arts (CPA), it operated from E block on Frenchay campus. The CPA helped students from all over the institution and beyond put on theatre productions and concerts as well as organising workshops, and helping people find a room to practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Black
CPA street theatre troupe, Bristol Polytechnic Handbook 1981 – 1983<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

1990s<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

By the 1990s the CPA set up in the vacated Sports Recreation Centre, converting squash courts into rehearsal areas and sweaty changing rooms into practice spaces. The first dance space with full mirror wall was created and the CPA built an impressive collection of orchestral instruments for students to play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Poster
Anything Goes poster, signed by cast<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n


1993 – 201<\/strong>8<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As part of the celebration of UWE\u2019s new university status, the CPA established a full orchestra, classical choir and musical theatre choir plus smaller groups playing classical and jazz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Large scale musical theatre productions became a yearly highlight running for several nights at the Redgrave Theatre, Clifton. With full sets to build, the CPA set up a workshop on campus building everything, including the monster plant (in several sizes) for Little Shop of Horrors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The CPA put on classical concerts in the city, started a Big Band and a gospel choir. Every room in the building was furnished with a piano. The CPA grew to be an established and much-loved part of UWE Bristol life for students, staff and the community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Stage
Hot Mikado 2007<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

2018<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Building on this remarkable legacy, in 2018 the CPA changed its name to Centre for Music. It\u2019s activities were expanded into commercial music, launching a hip-hop festival, battle of the bands and teaching for complete beginners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A DJ booth and simple recording studio was created and laptops with music software were made available for any student to use, enabling more students and staff than ever to participate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"DJ-ing\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

2024<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Overwhelmed by demand, CFM relocated to the beautiful Farmhouse at the heart of Frenchay Campus.  It now provides more music spaces and an even bigger dance space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
The Farmhouse, new home of the CFM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n

\u201cCFM cherishes its roots. UWE Orchestra and Big Band are attended by more students than ever. \u2018Sing for wellbeing\u2019 sessions added to the gospel and classical choirs, and a brand new UWE Brass Band launches this year, plus a full programme of concerts and workshops each year.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kat Branch, Head of CFM<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The vision of arts participation for all is still at the heart of the Centre for Music. Check out our Centre for Music webpages<\/a> (and even take a 360 virtual tour). And alumni are very welcome to be a member<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Black
Festival of Sound, 2023<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Archiv<\/strong>e<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We hope this archive of programmes and posters will reignite some memories for many of you. But we know this isn\u2019t the complete picture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you have memories that can bring these days alive? Do you have a programme we don\u2019t have represented here? We\u2019d love to hear from you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Share your memories and photos<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

CPA Programme archive<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"Concert\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"The<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Hello<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"The<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Concert\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Blitz\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Bristol<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Advent<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Singers<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Cold<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Godspell\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"The<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Julian<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Christmas<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Trumpets<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Music<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Music<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Lysistrata<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Carol<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Half<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Behold<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Rachmaninov<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Rick<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Carmina<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Dracula\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Handel<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Music<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"University<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"The<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"The<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"High<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"An<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"University<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Nicholas<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Children<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Fame\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Hot<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"The<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

CPA Poster archive<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"Calamity<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Billy<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"UWE<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Elgar<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Faure<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"UWE<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Spring<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Handle<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Jekyll<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Forty<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Verdi<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"The<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Showcase<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Liven<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"UWE<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"The<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Shostakovich<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Holst<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Screen<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Karl<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"In<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Green<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"UWEs<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"UWE<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Springtime\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Christmas<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Orchestra<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Festival<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Jazz<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Little<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"The<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"The<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Zorro\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"UWE<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Festival<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UWE Bristol alumni \u2013 quick links<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

UWE Bristol Alumni homepage<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sign up for offers and fundraising and update your details<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join Alumni Connect online mentoring network<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Explore Alumni benefits and discounts<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Support UWE Bristol Fund<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When the Centre for Music (CFM) relocated this year, they found a box of posters and programmes stretching back to 1990s, showcasing a rich history of talent. Music, theatre and dance can make us laugh and cry, draw us together and give us new perspectives. Over the decades, thousands of alumni and staff have been … Continue reading “All-singing all-dancing alumni”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":59,"featured_media":1812,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wds_primary_category":1,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,8,1],"tags":[29,28,18,30],"class_list":["post-1733","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-alumni","category-bristol","category-uncategorised","tag-centre-for-performing-arts","tag-cpa","tag-drama","tag-music"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uwe.ac.uk\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1733","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uwe.ac.uk\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uwe.ac.uk\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uwe.ac.uk\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/59"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uwe.ac.uk\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1733"}],"version-history":[{"count":24,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uwe.ac.uk\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1733\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1930,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uwe.ac.uk\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1733\/revisions\/1930"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uwe.ac.uk\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1812"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uwe.ac.uk\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1733"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uwe.ac.uk\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1733"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uwe.ac.uk\/alumni\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1733"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}