Kit Ashton annonche:

Singer and founder of Jèrriais pop-folk band set to present lecture at international musicology conference in Japan after passing MA Music with distinction.

Local musician Kit Ashton says he is “over the moon” after Goldsmiths College, University of London invited him on an all-expenses paid trip to Osaka in Japan where he will present a section of his Masters thesis to an audience of international academics on 7th November. He has been researching the ways in which music can help revitalise endangered languages like Jersey’s native tongue Jèrriais.

Kit says:

“I couldn’t believe it when I got the email from Goldsmiths – I had to read it twice! It’s been my privilege to lead Badlabecques and be an advocate for Jèrriais these last few years – even though I’m still just learning the language myself. So I was really proud to do well and get this amazing invitation to Osaka. Jersey is so lucky to have such a special language of its own – which is a major asset to our culture, and Jèrriais can really add to the richness of our society if we want it to. No doubt it will sound a little strange to Japanese ears but hopefully I’ll do Jersey proud and bring a unique Jèrriais flavour to the conference. Dés crouaîsis! [fingers crossed].”

Kit’s lecture will focus on a section of his thesis that describes Badlabecques’ performance at the opening ceremony of the Island Games in June, which featured a collaboration with Les Amis choir, the Jersey Games choir, the Fleur de Lys signing choir, and the Jersey Youth Orchestra.

Kit will present “Precious Echos: Revitalising Language Identity in Jersey through International Ceremonial Performance” at the University of Osaka on 7th November 2015.