Celebrating Turner Sims’ 50th Anniversary
19 November 2024 marked 50 years since the inaugural concert at Turner Sims. Friends and supporters joined us to celebrate with a live premiere, a new arrangement, and a memorable rendition of Mozart.
December 4, 2024
Audiences have been travelling miles to experience the joy of music at Turner Sims since 1974. Rising stars, including a young Simon Rattle, have been a marker of the programme here throughout history. But so too have the many musical icons and legendary artists who return time and again, inspired by our special hall and the welcome they receive. We feel privileged to have shared a world of music with so many brilliant people.
Designing a fitting concert to celebrate everything people love about Turner Sims was a tall order. Concert Hall Manager Kevin Appleby rose to the challenge with a diverse programme spanning every genre from classical and jazz to folk and reggae!
6pm
Guests joined us at Garden Court
University colleagues, partners, supporters and friends joined us for a pre-concert reception hosted by the Vice Chancellor.
6.30pm
The Vice Chancellor welcomed everyone
President and Vice Chancellor Professor Mark E. Smith welcomed guests and reflected on Turner Sims' 50-year contribution to the University and civic pride in the region.
6.40pm
Our Director, Louise Coysh, said a huge thank you
Director, Louise Coysh, thanked our supporters and team. A special mention went to Concert Hall Manager Kevin Appleby who has been with the venue for 25 of its 50 years - an extraordinary contribution.
6.45pm
Arts Council England praised Turner Sims
Phil Gibby, South West Area Director for Arts Council England, celebrated Turner Sims' role in the region - praising our bold programme and outstanding acoustics.
6.50pm
Assistant Producers Carley and Josh celebrated music and community
Carley and Josh reflected on their experience as part of Turner Sims' Vibe Collective for 18-25 year olds.
"Turner Sims saying you guys aged 18-25, you are going to shape the next 20 years in the city and we value your opinions - that was really special." Josh
6.30pm - 7.15pm
Isla Croll dialled up the joy
Meanwhile, over in Turner Sims' foyer, audiences enjoyed free music from Vibe Lounge favourite Isla Croll. "Love that the singer and pianist were performing and Turner Sims put this on for free" Audience Survey response.
7.30pm
Kevin Appleby introduced Turner Sims at 50
Kevin introduced the concert, including a snippet from a 1975 review of the Bournemouth Sinfonietta conducted by a 20-year-old Simon Rattle. Distinguished music critic William Mann wrote: "Last night's premiere was given in the Turner Sims Concert Hall at Southampton University, opened a year ago - comfortable, acoustically pleasing and effectively designed so that the audience sits above the musicians, a spectacular advantage."
7.35pm
Zoe Rahman celebrated Turner Sims and its beautiful piano
The concert began with a solo improvisation by Zoe Rahman, fresh from her triumph at this year's Parliamentary Jazz Awards where she won Album of the Year. In his introduction, Kevin explained the significance of beginning with improvisation: "Like anyone starting out on a journey those visionaries who worked so hard to create this place definitely had a plan. How the plan would evolve over the decades was a great unknown. 50 years on, we look back at an incredible journey, and at the same time look forward with wonder at where we might go next."
7.45pm
The Piatti Quartet gave a lively performance of Britten
The Piatti Quartet performed Three Divertimenti by Benjamin Britten. The inclusion of Britten was a homage to one of the specialisms of Professor Peter Evans, who led the Music Department at University of Southampton for 29 years. Peter was a, if not the, driving force behind Turner Sims being built.
8pm
Zoe joined the Piattis on stage for a unique collaboration
New music has always been a core part of our programme. For our anniversary, we commissioned a new arrangement of Zoe Rahman's Peace Garden for string quartet and piano. Zoe premiered the piece, in its original form for jazz octet, at Turner Sims in 2023. When we approached her about a commission, she said she'd always heard Peace Garden with strings. It was an honour to welcome Zoe back to the stage to perform her new arrangement with the brilliant Piatti Quartet.
8.15pm
Federico gave a memorable rendition of Mozart
Federico performed Mozart's Piano Sonata No 11 in A. Despite being one of the composer's most popular sonatas, it has only been heard twice at Turner Sims. The original performance was by the University's resident pianist Rosemarie Wright in our first solo recital in 1974. Following his outstanding performance, Federico returned to the stage for a surprising jazz-improvised encore which we'll remember for the next 50 years!
9pm
Voyages of the Heart got the live premiere it deserved
Originally commissioned by Turner Sims and Southampton City Council as part of the Mayflower 400 programme in 2020, Voyages of the Heart finally got its live premiere. Due to the pandemic, the magnificent work by Tunde Jegede had only ever premiered as an online broadcast. What a birthday treat to finally experience it live with so many Southampton performers!
10pm
The evening ended with a heartfelt standing ovation
Voyages of the Heart was met with a heartfelt standing ovation, which made our night. This powerful work, which celebrates Southampton as a city and community built on journeys and migration was the perfect ending to an evening celebrating our 50-year contribution to the region.
Finally
Thank you to everyone who joined us
Our audiences, along with the incredible musicians who've graced our stage, have filled Turner Sims with joy. Thank you for being part of our first half century.
Future
Here's to another 50 years of music!
Our 50th Anniversary celebrations continue into 2025. Join us to discover more new music, old favourites, and community collaborations.
Photographs © Nosa Malcolm