Mexican drummer plays at King Charles III coronation event

“It was one of those experiences where you say, ‘How is this happening?’ It was incredible,” said Tec graduate Migdalia van der Hoven after participating in one of the celebrations for Charles III’s coronation.

As a member of the All Souls Orchestra, the drummer performed at the “Prom Praise – The Coronation Prom” event on May 6 at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

After the coronation service, Migdalia played drums and percussion at the United Kingdom’s iconic venue together with a choir of 400 singers and an orchestra of 120 musicians.

“The place was bursting. Everyone was dancing. I’m so proud to have participated in the event. I don’t think anyone imagines themselves being present at such a moment,” she said.

Every year, the All Souls Orchestra performs the Prom Praise concert, fusing popular classical and contemporary styles. This year was the first time it was broadcast online across the globe to mark Charles III’s coronation.

The All Souls Orchestra was also joined by The Kingdom Choir, Brian Doerksen, Noel Robinson, Lou Fellingham, Joanne Lunn, Ian Mulder, and was directed by Michael Andrews.

Their repertoire included songs such as Handel’s “Zadok the Priest”, John Williams’ “Throne Room and End Titles” from Star Wars, and Bill Withers’ “Lovely Day.”

“Everything was based on the coronation theme, keeping the religious service in mind. I played at the Royal Albert Hall last year, but this time it exploded,” she said.

Releasing a record with her quartet

The Tec Marketing graduate, along with her group “The Migdalia van der Hoven Quartet”, has released the album Point of Departure, which was recorded at Abbey Road Studios and Battery Studios.

Their material, which fuses contemporary jazz, Latin jazz, funk, among other genres, includes songs such as “Final Destination,” “Behind Her Mask,” “Groove Therapy,” and “Cruisin’ Down the PCH.”

“Someone contacted us from Abbey Road Studios and told us they were interested in recording jazz and that they were interested in my music.

“We re-recorded songs from the EP and added some more for a theme based on location and elements. We wanted to convey through the music that listeners are in different places,” she said.

Soon, The Migdalia van der Hoven Quartet will tour London and the outskirts of this English city.

“I thought I’d already achieved so much but no. It was just the beginning.”

Mexican drummer also features in “SIX” the musical

Since last year, the winner of the 2022 Mujer Tec Award has participated in “SIX“ the musical, a modern retelling of the lives of Henry VIII of England’s six wives.

As well as being the show’s drummer, Migdalia also plays a character in the story: she is lady-in-waiting to Catherine of Aragon, Henry VIII’s first wife.

“They modernized the story and modeled each queen after a pop star, like Beyoncé, Britney Spears, and Alicia Keys. All the songs reflect the influence of each one.

“It’s written in such a smart, British way that it’s funny, entertaining. It’s suitable for any age. Everyone takes something away from the experience. The music is very well done,” she shared.

SIX has won 23 awards in the 2021/2022 Broadway season, including the Tony Award for Best Original Score (Music and Lyrics) and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical.

“So many things have happened since the 2022 Mujer Tec Award. “I thought I’d already achieved so much but no. It was just the beginning,” she said.

This year, Migdalia van der Hoven will participate on September 30 and October 1 in “The Lounge,” an event dedicated to the art of drumming and percussion at ACC Liverpool in England.

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