Professor Laura Tunbridge FBA delivers inaugural lecture as Heather Professor of Music

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Professor Laura Tunbridge FBA delivered her inaugural lecture as Heather Professor of Music on Thursday 19 February at the Holywell Music Room.

Titled Everyday Beethoven, the lecture marked Professor Tunbridge's appointment to the Heather Chair from 1 October 2025 and formed part of the 400th anniversary year of the Professorship, established in 1626 as the first Chair of Music in the country. Professor Tunbridge is the first woman to be elected to the Heather Professorship.

The event was at capacity and brought together members of the University, alumni, and guests to celebrate both the historic Chair and its new postholder. A distinctive feature of the lecture was the inclusion of live musical excerpts performed by Faculty of Music students: Emmanuel Sowicz (guitar), Ella McLoughlin (violin), James Murray (violin), Isobel Neary-Adams (viola) and Rudyard Cook (cello). 

Founded through the benefaction of William Heather, the Professorship reflects a long-standing commitment at Oxford to both the practical and academic study of music, and the performances as part of this lecture highlighted the Faculty's close integration of scholarship and performance.