One of the orchestral performers with the Oxford Bach Soloists is baroque viola player, Jam Orrell. Nicholas Keyworth caught up with Jam to hear more about her studies and career in music.
I started by asking Jam to tell us a bit about her musical background and involvement with Oxford Bach Soloists…
I am now in my third year of studying Music at St Catherine’s College, Oxford. I have been studying baroque viola with Jane Rogers. My initial involvement with Oxford Bach Soloists was as a singer over two years ago and then as one of the violists.
Next, Jam tells us about some of the other ensembles and orchestras she is involved with…
I have played with many of the University ensembles, including Oxford University Orchestra, Oxford University Philharmonia, Oxford University Sinfonietta and the University new music ensemble, Ensemble ISIS. I also run the Bate Players, the University’s only Historical Performance ensemble which is particularly interesting. I work for the Oxford-based opera company, New Chamber Opera.
I was interested to hear about some of the highlights of her career to date…
I have been really lucky so far in my career as a baroque violist to perform with some amazing musicians, largely through Oxford Bach Soloists and Blenheim Singers. As well as this, I have been able to perform as part of the Royal Academy of Music’s Bach Cantata series and Haydn symphonies projects, alongside Maggie Faultless. In May of this year, I was lucky enough to be chosen as part of the Britten-Pears Young Artists Scheme to perform a concert of Bach Cantatas alongside Mark Padmore.
And what about her future plans for her career after Oxford?
Following on from my time in Oxford, I am hoping to do a masters in Historical Performance Viola, which I am currently preparing for. After that, I plan to face the slightly terrifying world of being a freelance musician as a baroque violist and see where that takes me!
Finally, I asked Jam what she sees as the value of ensembles like Oxford Bach Soloists to younger professional musicians like herself…
Being given the opportunity to perform with the Oxford Bach Soloists has been a real turning-point for me. It was my first professional gig as a baroque violist and as such it gave me the chance to experience at first hand what it is really like to be a historical performer. As a result, this has given me a lot more confidence and insight with my playing.
I love what Tom is doing for the music scene in Oxford with his Bach Cantatas project and I take off my hat to him. This summer I went on tour with the OBS and saw at first hand how successful the concerts have been abroad with well-established fanbases. The team that supports these groups are excellent, and I have high hopes for the future.
Jam will be performing with the Oxford Bach Soloists in their next concert Calming The Storm at New College Chapel, Oxford on 29 January.
