Piano recital launches new music facilities

The facilities, in which some £2.3 million has been invested, are a significant new resource both for students and for the broader community.

They include a recital hall, a sound-proofed band practice room, a cabaret space, a chamber music room, jazz bar and a sound studio that can record events taking place around the building.

The facilities are available for hire by members of the public, including for non-music related events such as weddings and conferences. They can accommodate audiences of up to 200 and rehearsals of up to 100.

Marion Wood, the University’s Director of Music, said: "We hope that Kay House will quickly establish itself as a wonderful arts venue, both for the University and the city.

"Students coming to Exeter have access to some of the best music facilities in the country and this will only boost further our already large and thriving circle of music activities."

The University has about 15 musical societies and over 2,000 active musicians. The Music Office also offers scholarships to those who wish to pursue music alongside their other studies.

Imogen Cooper gave her recital on the University’s new Petrof Concert Grand Piano in the ‘Frank Oliver Recital Hall’.

Ms Wood added: “Our new Petrof is one of the very few of these wonderful Czech-made instruments to be imported and is the only full-sized Mistral Concert Grand of its kind in South West England.

“With the clarity of treble you would expect from a Steinway, this piano also features the patented Petrof Bass Bridge, giving a rich velvety tone in the lowest strings, and an extraordinary range of tone colour.”

The recital hall has been named after the late Dr Frank Oliver, a long-serving staff member and former Exeter City Councillor who established the Exeter and District Classical Music Trust to advance the cause of classical music locally. The trust has made a substantial donation towards the new facilities.