Prof. Catherine Foxcroft

BMus (UCT), MMus, Diplom-Konzertsolistin (HMTMH), DMus (UP), UPLM (UNISA)

 Catherine Foxcroft sitting at the piano

ORCID iD icon https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6890-3025

 

Catherine Foxcroft is Associate Professor (Piano, Music Psychology) and former HOD (2016 – 2022) at the Department of Music and Musicology, Rhodes University. She combines a vibrant career in music as soloist, chamber musician, pedagogue, and researcher. She was awarded the Rhodes University VC’s Senior Teaching Award in 2015.

 

As an undergraduate student of Laura Searle at UCT, she won prizes in the national SABC, ATKV and UNISA competitions and performed as soloist with all the South African orchestras. She was the recipient of the UNISA UPLM Overseas scholarship as well as the Jules Kramer postgraduate scholarship (UCT) which enabled her to study with Arie Vardi at the Hochschule fur Musik, Theater und Medien (HMTMH), Hannover, Germany from 1991 - 2002. During this time abroad, she completed her MMus and Konzertdiplom (postgraduate performance diploma) and was a semi-finalist and finalist at international competitions (Germany, Greece, Czech Republic, USA, and Italy). In 2014, her academic studies concluded with the conferral of the DMus (Performing Arts) degree by the University of Pretoria.

 

Catherine performs frequently as a soloist with South African orchestras and appears nationally and internationally in recital (solo and chamber). In 2001 and 2004, she gave solo recitals on board the Maxim Gorky, a Russian/German cruise ship on recital tours in the USA, Canada, Europe and Russia. She has toured South Africa, Ireland and Germany with the Chameleon Trio (oboe/flute, bassoon, piano), and has performed chamber repertoire with renowned SA performers Liesl Stoltz (flute), David Bester (violin), Anmari van der Westhuizen (cello), Bronwen Forbay (soprano), Bridget Rennie-Salonen (flute), Lizzie Rennie (viola), and Christian Bester (baritone).

 

She has recorded for the SABC, Radio Telifis (Ireland), Nord Deutsche Radio and the West Deutsche Radio (Germany). Her four CD recordings (In Concert, Recital, Beethoven 3rd Concerto, A Portrait) and live concert recordings are broadcast frequently on FMR and SAfm in South Africa. In 2021, she was featured on Classic FM 1027 People of Note, a podcast series featuring prominent South African musicians.  

 

Catherine’s piano students have won prizes at numerous national competitions, including the UNISA Grade 8, FMR, Grahamstown Music competition, SAMRO, KZNPO and JPO Youth Concerto Festivals. Several of the Rhodes University students she supervised have continued to study postgraduate performance at internationally acclaimed music institutes such as the Guildhall School of Music UK, Oxford University UK and Hochschule fur Musik Franz Liszt Weimar Germany. Catherine is frequently invited to adjudicate national music competitions (Hennie Joubert, ATKV, Artscape, UNISA scholarships, UNISA International, and SAMRO). She has been on the Faculty of the biennial Stellenbosch International Piano Symposium since 2006.

 

Catherine’s research interest lies in Music Psychology with a focus on Performance. She has graduated a growing number of performance and academic postgraduate students at Rhodes University. She is an external examiner for postgraduate theses and performances at SA Universities (NWU, UNISA, UP, WITS, SUN, NMU, UKZN) and reviewer for Muziki. She has presented her research at international conferences including the 2nd International Conference for Music and Emotion, Australia (2011), International Conference for Music Perception and Cognition (2012, 2018, 2020), Performing Knowledge Conference Cambridge, UK (2016) and the 14th World piano Conference, Novi Sad, Serbia (2022). Her research has been published in SAMUS: Vol 34/35 (2015) and Vol 39 (2019) and JOURNAL of NEW MUSIC RESEARCH (2023, in press). Her DHET creative outputs accreditations include Beethoven Piano Concerto No 3 (2019) and A Portrait Solo CD (2022).

 

Publications

(In Press) Viljoen, J.F. and Foxcroft, C. (2023). Eye movements of expert and amateur sight-readers: A study of cognitive processes used when reading key and time signatures. Journal of New Music Research.

 

Viljoen, J.F. and Foxcroft, C. (2020) Gaze Patterns of Skilled and Unskilled Sight Readers Focusing on the Cognitive Processes Involved in Reading Key and Time Signatures. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science. 14 (9). p.764-767. https://publications.waset.org/10011429/gaze-patterns-of-skilled-and-unskilled-sight-readers-focusing-on-the-cognitive-processes-involved-in-reading-key-and-time-signatures 

 

Foxcroft, C. (2020). ‘Being in the Zone’: Towards a Conceptual Understanding of Flow during Optimal Solo Performance. SAMUS: South African Music Studies (Formerly South Africa Journal of Musicology). 39 (1). p. 314 – 344. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/samus/article/view/201528

 

Foxcroft, C.J. and Panebianco-Warrens, C. (2015). Exploring the Role of Pianists’ Emotional Engagement with Music in a Solo Performance. SAMUS: South African Music Studies (Formerly South Africa Journal of Musicology). 34/35 (1). p.459-498.  https://www.ajol.info/index.php/samus/article/view/151261

 

DHET accredited Creative Outputs:

2022. Creative Output COMO2 Solo Musical Performance (Music) A Portrait Solo CD Schubert and Rachmaninoff piano sonatas (DHET 2019-2021 submissions under review).

Schubert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObLtD5IXzqY Rachmaninoff: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjgr8DaF340

 

2019. Creative Output COM01 Solo Musical Performance (Music) Beethoven Piano Concerto No 3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiVO7TaLY00

 

Selected Performances (2012 – 2023)

2023 ASFA (Alabama School of Fine Art, Birmingham, Alabama, USA). Solo recital and lecture demonstration. Ndodana-Breen Isiko, Umdlalo Emlanjeni; Johnson 2 Jazz impromptus; Schubert Impromptu Op 90 No 3; Liszt (Isoldens Liebestod)

 

2022 SASRIM conference: Solo performance of Isiko and Umdlalo Emlanjeni by B Ndodana-Breen.

 

2022 NMU/RU Orchestra collaboration: Pianist in Feder Moments for Orchestra (World premier)

 

2021 Harley Residue (World premiere); Vaughan Williams Piano Quintet in C minor. Two chamber performances with Imisi Piano Quintet (Makhanda Music Society; NMU). Jan-Hendrik Harley (b.1980)

 

2019 Brahms Piano Quintet Op 34 and Dvorak Piano quintet Op 81. A collaboration with David Bester (NMU), Lwazi Mkula, Elmarie vd Vyver, Anmari vd Westhuizen (UFS)

 

2019 Bach Piano Concerto for 2 pianos BWV 1060, FSSYO (in collaboration with Garreth Robertson)

 

2018 Beethoven Piano Concerto No 3, Freestate Symphony Orchestra, 19 May, Odeion Hall, Bloemfontein https://youtu.be/IiVO7TaLY00

 

2017 Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No 2, RU Symphony Orchestra, Gala Concert 27 September, Guy Butler Hall, Monument, Grahamstown (conducted by David Scarr). https://youtu.be/zYiKnJ9dJbk

 

2017 Flute duo recital with Liesl Stoltz, RU Concerts Series, February, Beethoven Room, Grahamstown. https://youtu.be/I5bkPeq3Otw

 

2017 Recital with Jo-Nette LeKay and Christian Bester, RU, Grahamstown  https://youtu.be/NWRKsIW95TY, https://youtu.be/1nfuyfy4BkE

 

2015 Chamber music tour of Eastern/Western Cape with Chameleon Trio: performances with Sarah Burnett (bassoon, England) and Bridget Rennie-Salonen (flute, Cape Town).  Performances in East London, George, Grahamstown, Cape Town UCT (1st SA Galway Flute Festival Baxter Concert Hall)

 

2015 Rhodes Trio (violin, cello, piano) concerts in Humansdorp,  Grahamstown Music Society.

 

2015 National Arts Festival: 

  • Fringe: performances with Rhodes Trio; Viola – Piano Duo with Lizzie Rennie Tribute to Rebecca Clarke; Cabaret performance with Jo-Nette Lekay (voice) and Etienne Ferreira (cabaret piano) Tribute to Edith Piaf and Maria Callas.
  • Main: two performances with Lonestar Classical Voices Quartet (Bronwen Forbay, Jamie van Eyck, Randy Umstead, Christian Bester) and pianist Kaju Lee. Brahms Neue Liebeslieder, Op 65; Brahms Liebeslieder, Op 52.

2014 Chamber music tour of Eastern/Western Cape with Chameleon Trio: collaboration with Aisling Casey (Netherlands) and Sarah Burnett (England). Venues: Sun Valley; NMMU Concert Hall, Port Elizabeth: Humansdorp Concert Society, Humansdorp; RU Concert Series, Beethoven Room, Grahamstown; Mossel Bay Concert Society, Whale Museum; Hugo Lambrechts Concert series, Cape Town.

 

2013 Tour with Grahamstown Sextet: RU concert series. Beethoven Room, Grahamstown; UNISA Foundation Concert Series, Enoch Sontonga Hall, Pretoria; NWU Concert Series, Potchefstroom

 

2012 Chamber concert with Odeion String Quartet (UFS). UNISA Foundation Concert series. Enoch Sontonga Hall, Sunnyside campus Pretoria.

 

2012 Chamber concert with Grahamstown sextet. World premiere of new composition by Prof DJ Taljaard.

 

Recordings

2019 Recording and CD produced A Portrait:  Schubert Sonate D960 and Rachmaninoff Sonate No 2 Op 36

 

2013 Recording: Grahamstown Piano/wind sextet. UNISA Foundation Concert Series Enoch Sontonga Hall, Pretoria. Sextets by Thuille, Rheinberger, Taljaard (*SA composer)

 

2012 Recording: Odeion String Quartet (UFS)..UNISA  Foundation Concert Series. Enoch Sontonga Hall, Pretoria. Brahms Piano quartet Op 25 in g minor. Dvorak Piano quintet Op 81 in A major

 

2007 Recording: Gershwin Rhapsody in Blue with the ECPO, Feathermarket Hall, Port Elizabeth

 

1998 - 2000 Recording and CDs produced: Recital (2000); Beethoven Piano Concerto No 3 (1999); In Concert (1998).

 

International conference and symposium presentations (2011 – 2023)

2022 14th World Piano Conference (WPC). Solo recital featuring two South African contemporary composers: Bongani Ndodana-Breen (Isiko) and Alexander Johnson (Jazz Impromptu)

 

2022 8th Stellenbosch University International Symposium, Endler Hall.

  • Faculty Concert No 1: Solo Liszt Isoldens Liebestod
  • Faculty Concert No 2: Glinka 4 hands collaboration
  • Faculty Concert No 3: Extravaganza: Tchaikovsky 1812 Overture: Arranged for 10 pianos 

2020 16th International Conference for Music Perception and Cognition (ICMPC) online. Gaze patterns of expert and amateur sight-readers with particular focus on the cognitive underpinnings of reading key and time signatures. Paper published in conference proceedings.

 

2018 15th International Conference for Music Perception and Cognition (ICMPC), Graz, Austria. Emotions and Flow in performance: the performer’s perspective (long paper). Exploring musical Flow in ensemble(poster)

 

2018 7th Stellenbosch University International Symposium, Endler Hall.

  • Faculty Concert No 1: 4 hands collaboration Glinka
  • Faculty Concert No 2 Extravaganza: Tchaikovsky 1812 Overture. 

2016 Performing Knowledge Conference, Emmanuel College, Cambridge. 25 – 26 April.  Exploring the role of pianists’ emotional engagement with music in a solo performance (paper). Exploring Musical Flow in Ensemble Performance (poster).

 

2016 6th Stellenbosch University International Symposium, Endler Hall.

  • Faculty Concert No 1: Solo: Prokofiev Sonata No 7
  • Faculty Concert No 2 Extravaganza: Tchaikovsky, Romeo and Juliet 4 Pianos
  • Faculty Concert No 3: Extravaganza for 10 pianos 

2014 5th Stellenbosch University International Symposium, Endler Hall.

  • Faculty concert No 1: Glinka Russlan and Ludmilla Overture: 4 Pianos collaboration.
  • Faculty concert No 2: 5 Pianos collaboration 

2012 12th International Conference for Music Perception and Cognition (ICMPC), Greece. Exploring the role of the performer’s experienced emotions with music during a solo performance (speed paper and poster). Publication in proceedings. ISBN 96099854-1-7.

 

2012 4th Stellenbosch University International Symposium, Endler Hall.

  • Faculty concert No 1: 6 hands performance with Prof Ruth Goveia (UP), Erika Bothma
  • Faculty concert No 2: Piano Extravaganza 10 pianos 

2011 South African Society for Research in Music (SASRIM): The Performer’s experienced emotion while performing: Interviews with 5 professional concert pianists (paper).

 

2011 2nd International Conference for Music and Emotion, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia The Performer’s experienced emotion while performing: Interviews with 5 professional concert pianists (speed paper and poster).

 

2010 3rd Stellenbosch University International Piano Symposium. Emotion in performance: the neglected dimension.

 

Graduands (Supervisor)

2023           Makube (MMus Performance). Thesis title: The use of creative arts therapies in treating trauma related mental health conditions in South Africa. Two public recitals

 

2023           LeKay (MMus Performance). Two public recitals

 

2021          Viljoen (PhD Performance). Thesis title: Gaze patterns of expert and amateur sight-readers with particular focus on the cognitive underpinnings of reading key and time signatures. Three public recitals

 

2021           Robertson (MMus Performance cum laude). Two public recitals

 

2021           Flanagan (MMus) Thesis title: The effects of monaural beat technology on music performance anxiety during music practical assessment sessions at SAC and DSG: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA)

 

2020           Van Schoor (MMus). Thesis title: A Reconceptualization of Music Performance Anxiety

 

2014           Du Plessis (MMus Performance). Two public recitals

 

2009           Marais (MMus Performance cum laude). Two public recitals

 

2007           Shutte (MMus Performance). Two public recitals