Newsletter: Events at Clare Hall, Lent 2025
Dear Clare Hall members and friends,
Please find below a list of events taking place this week and beyond, to which you are warmly invited.
Upcoming Events
18 January, from 7:30pm
Fitzwilliam String Quartet featuring Noémi Győri
The Fitzwilliam String Quartet are joined in this concert by the distinguished Hungarian Flautist, Noémi Győri. The ever popular Mozart flute quartet in D major is accompanied by the rarely heard Amy Beach Variations for Flute and String Quartet, a work showcasing the influence of Debussy and late romanticism. The FSQ carry on their exploration of the late Schubert quartets with the great Rosamunde quartet, written in 1824, the same year as “Death and the Maiden”. Tickets are available on Eventbrite.
20 January, from 7:30pm
Chinese Calligraphy Talk – Art and Architecture SIG
Join the Art and Architecture SIG for a talk on Chinese Calligraphy, featuring Mr Zhe An Woon, an established Chinese calligraphy artist and a PhD candidate at the China Academy of Art.
21 January – 11 March 2025
Clare Hall Colloquium Lent 2025
Clare Hall’s Colloquia provide members of the College – especially (but not exclusively) Visiting Fellows and Life Members – with an opportunity to present their research, whether in its early stages or already published, in a friendly setting. They are a great way to discuss your ideas, meet fellow members and to contribute to our vibrant community. For a full list of the speakers, check out our website.
The first speaker on 21 January is Seppo Poutanen (U. of Turku) – Banished from their material campus: how did closures related to the COVID-19 pandemic affect European doctoral researchers?
22 January, from 7:30pm
Clare Hall Burns Night
Join us for an unforgettable Burns Supper, an evening steeped in the rich traditions of Scotland, celebrating the life and poetry of Robert Burns. As we gather for this special occasion, we are delighted to announce that the night will be graced with the enchanting melodies of bagpipes and a Ceilidh band adding an extra layer of authenticity to our celebration. Warmest thanks to both Lady Patricia Mirrlees (Life Member) and Prof David Cope (Foundation Fellow) for their contributions to make the Burns Supper possible.
Bookings are now available via Upay.
23 January – 6 March 2025
Clare Hall Lunchtime Talks Lent 2025
We are continuing the tradition of Clare Hall Thursdays Lunchtime Talks beginning on 23 January at 1pm in a relaxed atmosphere. Each session, talk and discussion will last 60 minutes. without recording. Participants are encouraged to have lunch together in the Dining Hall before the talks. Discuss your ideas and meet fellow members in our creative community.
31 January, from 5:30pm
Family Supper
Join us for a Family Supper starting in the meeting room at 5.30pm where we do a craft activity, before heading for supper at about 6pm. After supper we will come back to the meeting room to watch a film together if there is enough demand.
There’s no need to book – this is an informal event and dinner will be the regular dining hall with usual prices, and half price for children. Family suppers are organised by Chandy Nath and Susanah Salter.
8 February, from 7:30pm
Instrumental Awards for Chamber Music Scheme showcase at Clare Hall
The Instrumental Awards for Chamber Music Scheme (IAS) enables students to participate in high-quality chamber music at the University. It is an intercollegiate scheme open to undergraduates and graduates at all Colleges. Award holders comprise outstanding chamber musicians from across the University, and many follow in the footsteps of their predecessor to pursue professional careers as performers. This concert features a showcase of the IAS winners. Tickets are free for Clare Hall students, reserve your spot here.
9 February, from 6pm
Clare College Choral Evensong, Lent 2025
All members of Clare Hall are warmly welcome to Clare Choral Evensong, sung by the College Choir on Sunday 9th February 2025, at 6pm in Clare Chapel. The service will last about an hour, and music will include canticles set by Orlando Gibbons, who died 400 years ago. Responses by Cecilia McDowall and an introit by the Finnish composer Jaakko Mäntyjärvi are complemented by an arrangement of the traditional spiritual ‘Didn’t my Lord deliver Daniel?’ by the British composer Paul Ayres. We also welcome Professor Simeon Zahl from the Faculty of Divinity, speaking on ‘Encountering the unseen’ in our sermon. The service is followed by drinks in the ante-chapel, and then by a roast supper in Hall for those who would like to stay (£7.70, which can be paid on the night).
Current Exhibitions
14 November 2024 – 25 February 2025
Clare Hall Art Collection – A Selection
Clare Hall was established in 1966 as a centre for advanced study by fellows from Clare College. From its inception, it was envisioned that postgraduate life should be enriched by visual art and music as integral parts of the college’s cultural and academic endeavours.
An art committee, composed of fellows and other members, was formed to encourage artists to exhibit their work at Clare Hall, initiating a tradition that continues to this day. The founders intended for the college to be inclusive and open, making exhibitions accessible not only to students, fellows, and staff but also to the public. Artworks are displayed in common areas of the college, ensuring everyone has access.
This exhibition curated by Fiona Blake with Ann Kennedy Smith features a selection of works chosen to provide an exciting and varied show that has wide appeal. They have selected works from among many possibilities, and hope to mount another exhibition from the Clare Hall Collection for the college’s 60th Anniversary year in 2026. This will include works that feature Clare Hall buildings, portraits of Clare Hall fellows, and pieces by artists closely associated with Clare Hall.
Ongoing
The Bell Collection of British Studio Pottery, 1920-1980
A rotating display of some 320 pieces of studio ceramics. Learn more at https://www.clarehall.cam.ac.uk/bellcollection/
Activities and Societies
3 February 2025 from 8pm
Clare Hall Book Club
Join the College’s Book Club as they discuss James by Percival Everett. All College members are welcome to attend in-person, meeting in Clare Hall’s Meeting Room, or via Zoom. If you are not on the mailing list and would like to be, please send an email to gloria.carnevali@icloud.com, confirming your Clare Hall connection and putting the following as the email title: I would like to join the Book Club mailing list.
Learn more about the Book Club on this page.
12 January – 26 March 2025
Yoga Sessions
We are delighted to host regular lunchtime yoga sessions, starting on 5 February 2025. In addition, we offer Sunday afternoon yoga after the allotment sessions, starting on 12 January 2025.
A full list of dates and the sign up sheet can be found here.
13 January – 21 March 2025
Pilates Sessions
We are delighted to host pilates classes at Clare Hall throughout Lent Term. The classes will be held on Mondays during lunchtime, with additional bi-weekly Friday evening classes. Pilates is a form of low-impact exercise that aims to strengthen muscles while improving postural alignment and flexibility.
A full list of dates and the sign up sheet can be found here.
Various Dates
Choir Practice
A reminder that Clare Hall Choir practice takes place in Robinson College Chapel every Monday (in term-time, but not always restricted to the official Cambridge term dates) from 7:30-9pm. New members are always welcome, and no previous singing or musical experience is necessary. The only requirement is that you want to sing and have fun doing it! If you are interested in joining, please email Ben de Souza, the Choir’s Director, who is a Clare Hall Associate, freelance choral conductor and accordionist: bd402@cam.ac.uk.
Recent recordings of the choir can also be found on our YouTube channel.