Dave Jackson is the biggest supporter of LUUMS and has been an honorary patron of the society since 2011!
How did you come across LUUMS?
I first came across LUUMS, or the Music Society as it then was, at the Societies Fair during Freshers week when I first arrived in Leeds as a student in 1972.
I suppose I was initially involved in the society for three years as an undergraduate. However I have since supported LUUMS since returning to the University as an employee in 2004. So, overall, I have had a connection with the society for over fifty years.
Do you have a favourite LUUMS concert?
I guess there are two of these: First of all in December 2004, after returning to the University to work, I was looking after the Parkinson building one Saturday. I had been asked to set up the area for a concert in the evening. Whilst I was doing this, LUUMS Concert band followed by the Chorus came in for a final rehearsal. I was so taken aback by the standard that I returned in the evening to attend the concert. I’ve been supporting the society ever since.
The other one was on Saturday 3rd December 2013 when I attended a LUUMS Symphony Orchestra concert in the Great Hall with my family. It happened to be my 60th birthday that day and my daughter disappeared at the interval. I was concerned she was going to miss the start of the second half. She then appeared at the front of the hall with members of LUUMS committee and a large birthday cake.
What was your proudest moment with the society?
That simply has to be in November 2011 when I discovered by reading the programme for the first LUUMS concert of the academic year that the society had conveyed the title of Honorary Patron upon me. I had been supporting the society financially as a Friend of LUUMS for five years at the time so it was an absolute honour to receive that accolade. It did however mean that I couldn’t even escape when I retired eight years ago.
How has LUUMS grown and evolved since you were first involved with the society?
When I first joined the society in 1972 we had one orchestra and one choir. We also supplied musicians to support other societies, such as the Light Opera Society. On my return to the University in 2004, LUUMS consisted of eight ensembles, three orchestras, two wind ensembles, a brass band and two choirs. Since then a percussion group has been added, along with a third choir and a Composers Collective. The society also organises a Chamber music competition and a Piano competition each year. I’m sure I will have missed something as the range of activities these talented young people are involved in is incredible. They are a credit to all of us, but especially to themselves.
Do you have any advice for our current members?
Yes, if anyone tries to think they have escaped from the University or from LUUMS for that matter after completing their studies, think again because the University and the society never let go.
Leeds University Union Music Society 