Michael Tippett Centre

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In the 60s and 70s Sir Michael Tippett lived in Corsham and was involved as an External Examiner with the music course at the School of Art and Design He visited the University (then college) during that time and, as the Artistic Director of the Bath Festival, commissioned a new piece from me for Harry Mortimer's "Men 'O Brass" and invited the college choir and orchestra to take part in the Festival as performers. For several years we played a concert in the Bath Festival including works from composers such as John McCabe, Alan Ridout, John Metcalfe, David Lyon and Francis Shaw.

When the original Centre was finished it seemed the right opportunity to celebrate not only Sir Michael's connection with us but his work as one of the greatest English composers of our time. He gave his permission for his name to be used, and came to open the original Centre, returning two years later to receive an honorary Fellowship.

The Centre is the only purpose built space for chamber music and smaller ensembles in the area and has one of the finest acoustics for this type of music in the South West. At its heart will always lie the promotion of music made by and for students.

Click and drag on the picture below to see a 3D panorama of a lecture in the Michael Tippett Centre (requires Quicktime).