Pre-concert lecture by Professor Jim Woodhouse

West Road Concert Hall
  • Free pre-concert lecture for those with concert tickets.
  • Speaker Professor Jim Woodhouse

The screeching produced by children starting out on the violin has curdled the blood of many a parent over the centuries. A pre-concert talk at the Science Festival asks what science can tell us about the question “why the violin is so hard to play?”.

It was as a mathematics undergraduate in the early 1970s that Jim Woodhouse came across Cambridge’s amateur violin making workshop. Always a keen ‘maker’ of things, Woodhouse developed a love of crafting string instruments that quickly spilled into his academic life, as he went on to do a PhD at the University in noise and vibration theories – focusing on the violin.

Please note that bookings for this event are separate from the concert that follows. If you wish to attend the concert, please purchase the concert tickets too.

Ticket Information

Admission: FREE

Advanced ticket sales:
  • [Online]
  • Phone: 01223 300085 (12:30 - 16:00 on Monday, 12:30 - 19:00 Tuesday - Friday, and 15:00 - 19:00 on Saturday).
  • In person: ADC Box Office, Park St, Cambridge, CB5 8AS – just off Jesus Lane
There is no booking fee but a 70p charge applies for postage. Tickets will also be available on the door (subject to availability).

West Road Concert Hall

11 West RoadCambridge CB3 9DP (map)
By Car
From Junction 12 of the M11 Drive for approx 1.5 miles into Cambridge (Barton Road) Turn left into Grange Road Turn 3rd right opposite Rugby Club (West Road) We are half way along the right hand side of West Road.
By Train
Trains run regularly to Cambridge from both London King’s Cross and London Liverpool Street. If you are coming from the North, it is advisable to change at Peterborough. West Road is a 10 to 15 minute taxi ride from the railway station.