Ensemble in Residence

We are delighted to announce our appointment of the Marsyas Trio as the FUAM Ensemble in Residence. Working with the Concert Series and School of Music, they will be providing a range of concerts, masterclasses, and workshops across 2024/25.

Recent concert highlights include performances at Kettle’s Yard, Conway Hall, the Red House Aldeburgh for Britten-Pears Arts and a Northern tour, taking in two full-house concerts at Skipton Town Hall and the King’s Hall in Ilkley. The Trio also premiered a family show 'Three Little Mammoths' in Glasgow featuring comedian Janey Godley, with the subsequent performance taking place at the Three Choirs Festival, with Ed Balls as narrator.

The Trio's last album ‘In the Theatre of Air’ (NMC Recordings 2018) debuted at No. 7 on the classical charts and their next CD will be released on the Métier | Divine Art Recordings label in 2024 featuring collaborations with award-winning mezzo-soprano Lotte Betts-Dean.

The Trio are passionate cross-art collaborators and educators with a portfolio including multimedia projects with the Smoking Apples puppeteers and filmmaker Julian Hand, and various outreach projects for children and teenagers across the UK.

In 2022-24 the Marsyas Trio will be working regularly at the University of Cambridge, through Artist By-Fellowships at Churchill College.

The Marsyas Trio takes its name from Greek mythology: inspired by the bold, spirited passion of Marsyas, the celebrated pipe-playing satyr who dared to defeat Apollo in a musical contest.

Thanks to the sensitive and musical playing of pianist Olga Stezhko…we were able to enjoy the ravishing sound of Helen Vidovich’s flute in its lowest register and the velvet tone of Val Welbanks’ cello, as well as the subtle contrast and interplay between the three instruments. The varied programme showed off to perfection the possibilities of this combination.

The Friends of University Art and Music (Leeds) was founded in 1989 to promote and support art and music at the University of Leeds. Our membership includes a wide range of people, drawn from the University and the wider community it serves in Leeds and West Yorkshire. From informal beginnings as a group of staff members and friends with an interest in helping to foster the University’s musical and artistic life and outreach, FUAM has grown into an active and lively organisation, with a regular programme of events.

FUAM’s primary purpose is to raise funds to enrich the cultural life of the University and the City of Leeds through support for the Stanley and Audrey Burton Gallery and the University of Leeds International Concert Series by way of subscriptions and donations.

FUAM is the sponsor of the University of Leeds International Concert Series Ensemble in Residence.