Frank Zielhorst, Head of Music Engagement
Meet Frank Zielhorst, Head of Music Engagement. In this profile Frank tells us about the first ever Queen Mary Music Festival, the QMBL (Queen Mary and Barts of London) Orchestra and Queen Mary (QM) Choir, as well as the Sound of Ground event that takes place every Wednesday afternoon.
*photo credit: Chris Webb photography*
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how long you’ve worked at Queen Mary
My name is Frank Zielhorst and as Head of Music Engagement, I am in the wonderful position to help students achieve their musical ambitions. I conduct the QMBL Orchestra and the QM Choir (which are open to students and staff), organise Sound of Ground on Wednesday afternoons, lead the music scholarship programme and am generally available to staff and students when they want to organise a musical event.
Next to my work for the University, I teach orchestral studies at the Royal College of Music, musicianship for the virtual programme of the Yehudi Menuhin School, music in one of my local primary schools, and I teach violin and piano peripatetically. It is a wonderfully diverse portfolio where the work with students at Queen Mary inspires my teaching and vice versa.
Describe your average day/week
Not one week is the same, but some of the weekly returning highlights during term time are my rehearsals with the QMBL Orchestra on Monday evening and the QM Choir on Tuesday. Both ensembles are open to staff and students alike, and it is truly inspirational to work with people that are individually so diverse, but come together sharing a passion for music.
Are there any key projects you are currently working on that you’d like to highlight?
Between Friday 7-Sunday 9 March, we are organising the first ever Queen Mary Music Festival, where Royal Holloway University, Imperial College and the University of Cambridge have sent orchestras to perform together with the QMBL Orchestra. It will start with a chamber music concert on the Friday evening, two big concerts on Saturday with performances of a.o. Pictures at an Exhibition, West Side Story Dances and a recently discovered new piece by the 19-century Scottish composer Helen Hopekirk, which references the King Arthur legends. On the Sunday, all participating orchestras will come together to perform in one big ensemble, which will be supported by the professional musicians of the Britten Sinfonia. Everyone is invited to pay what they can for a ticket, and donations will go towards our music scholarship programme. Please have a look at the Queen Mary Musical Festival webpages for more information!
What do you see as your role in helping the University achieve its Strategy 2030?
As Head of Music Engagement, I work for all students and staff and want to help everyone related to the University to realise their own performances or find a place within existing ensembles. Whether you are a beginner saxophonist, an excellent bagpipe player or like to groove on the tabla, I am here to support you. I am ambitious to organise musical experiences of the highest standards, create an environment in which people feel safe to develop and experiment, and are proud of what they achieve in their ensembles.
What’s your favourite place on any of our campuses?
There are so many special places on our campuses that it is difficult to choose. I love the grandeur of the Great Hall, the beautiful surroundings of the Octagon, the acoustics of the Old Library in the Garrod Building and the sense of history in the People’s Palace. The beating heart of music making and my favourite place on campus has to be the Music Scholars Room in the People’s Palace. It is a safe place for our musicians to experiment and where inspiration pushes the boundaries of the impossible. Whether I am working with an ensemble, listening to auditions for the music scholarship programme, or am rehearsing with the QM Choir, there is always something interesting and special happening.
Do you have any hobbies, pastimes outside of work?
My family and I love the outdoors. We try to make a long countryside walk every weekend. Being outside whatever the weather is a great way to clear the mind and reload for a new week ahead.
Are there any Queen Mary activities you’d recommend staff getting involved with/is there any training you have done with Queen Mary or externally that you’d recommend?
Making music together is the best way to connect, relax, exercise your mind and find inspiration. The Mile End Music Society and the Barts and the London Music Society offer a wide range of activities to play in orchestras, big bands and sing in choirs in wide ranges of styles. And if you are in doubt of what might be right for you, or if you would like support in organising your own musical event, please don’t hesitate to contact me.