Words, Music and Place Study Day

Event Date

26/06/2026

Time

10:45 - 18:30

Description

The day divides into three sessions, each chaired by one of the collaborating organisations.

The day opens with The Open University Literature and Music Research Group, who will be offering paper presentations. Confirmed speakers include Professor Robert Fraser, Dr Joanne Reardon and Dr Robert Samuels.

The second session of the day is chaired by the Thomas Hardy Society, who will present a panel discussion on ‘Hardy’s Houses’. The panel includes representatives from historic houses in Dorset that feature in Hardy’s novels, short stories and poetry, literary scholars from within the Thomas Hardy Society and Professor Hywel Dix (Bournemouth University) whose research embraces literary tourism.

University Music Bournemouth will present a lecture recital a lecture recital exploring the theme of words, music and place in relation to song settings of poets with connections to Dorset (William Wordsworth, Thomas Hardy, Robert Louis Stevenson, Rupert Brooke, Sylvia Townsend Warner and Percy Bysshe Shelly). The programme includes songs by John Ireland, Gerald Finzi, Frederick Kelly, Samuel Coleridge Taylor, Harry Burleigh, Liza Lehman and Roger Quilter.

Speaker: Dr Natalie Burton, Tenor: Paul Heaslip, Baritone: Jonathan Prentice, Piano: Rob Taylor.

A drinks reception follows.

Please visit the website links below to download the Study Day programme and information for delegates.

https://www.bournemouth.ac.uk/students/things-do/university-music
https://university.open.ac.uk/arts/research/literature-and-music/
https://www.hardysociety.org/events/

How to get to BU:

Talbot campus is easily accessed via public transport and has bike storage points. Please see travel info

Lansdowne campus is located in the city centre and is easily accessed via bus and train links. For more travel information please see this link. There is no parking on site, however if public transport isn't possible for you there are a number of local pay and display car parks at Cotlands Road and Madeira Road.

Bournemouth University’s Online Event Terms and Conditions

Photos may be taken at the event. If you do not want to appear in any photos, please notify a member of staff at the event. For further information on the use of photos and videos, please refer to our privacy policy

At BU we are committed to ensuring that all our events provide a positive, inclusive, and respectful experience for everyone. We have a zero-tolerance policy towards harassment, including sexual harassment or misconduct, by any attendee, vendor, or third party.

We are committed to fostering an environment where every participant feels valued, respected, and safe. Harassment in any form—whether verbal, physical, or visual—will not be tolerated. This includes inappropriate comments, gestures, physical advances, or sharing explicit content that violates someone's dignity or creates an offensive atmosphere.

If you witness or experience any form of harassment during our event, please report it immediately to event organisers. All reports will be handled confidentially, and appropriate action will be taken to ensure the safety and well-being of all attendees. , although the action that can be taken in these circumstances may be more limited.

By attending this event, you agree to contribute to creating a space that is respectful, inclusive, and positive for everyone.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher Bournemouth University