MUSIC SOCIETY ENSEMBLES
The University of Birmingham Music Society has many ensembles to get involved in; whether you're an instrumental player or a vocalist there's always something to get stuck into! You must be a member of the society to join these ensembles.
AUDITIONED ENSEMBLES
Auditions for these ensembles will be held at the beginning of each academic year. General instrumental and Jazz Orchestra auditions take place separately.
Jazz Orchestra
Jazz Orchestra is the University’s premier auditioned jazz ensemble, creatively directed by Jonathan Silk. It explores contemporary music written for large jazz ensemble, working on theme-based projects over the course of the academic year.
In recent years the ensemble have worked on a variety of challenging musical projects; including interpretations of Kenny Wheeler’s Sweet Time Suite and Jim McNeely’s East Coast Blowout albums at CBSO Centre in Birmingham, a revue of the music of Chaka Khan, as well as a performance alongside guest artist Iain Ballamy to present a concert of his own tunes arranged by Malcolm Edmonstone in the Elgar Concert Hall.
Previous guest artists have included world-renowned musicians such as Bobby Shrew, Stan Sulzmann, and Mark Lockheart
DIRECTOR
Jonathan Silk
REHEARSALS
Tuesday 7.30 – 9.30pm
The Dome
LOCATION
MANAGER
Peter Batchelar
Philharmonic Orchestra
The Philharmonic Orchestra is one of the two full-sized orchestras at the University and is conducted by Daniele Rosina. The orchestra typically looks for players with Grade 7 and above, and rehearsals take place twice a week.
The ensemble regularly performs at the University and at venues in the city, and recent highlights have included performances of Saint-Saens' third symphony ("Organ" Symphony), Sibelius' second symphony, and a collaboration with BBC Young Musician 2018, Lauren Zhang.
DIRECTOR
Daniele Rosina
REHEARSALS
Monday 5 – 7.30pm & Wednesday 3 – 6pm
Elgar Concert Hall
LOCATION
MANAGER
Emma Brown
Symphony Orchestra
The Symphony Orchestra is one of the two full-sized orchestras at the University and boasts over 70 talented players from across campus rehearsing once a week.
Working on a large variety of repertoire, the ensemble regularly performs core symphonic repertoire as well as concertos with guest soloists.
Recent collaborations have included the world premiere of Daria Kwitatkowska's Piano Concerto with Xenia Pestova.
DIRECTOR
Daniele Rosina
REHEARSALS
Thursday 6 – 9pm
The Dome
LOCATION
MANAGER
Isabella Bartlett
UNAUDITIONED ENSEMBLES
These ensembles do not require you to audition to join. If you want to sign up, we will only require you to be committed, and bring along your instrument or voice!
Brass Band
DIRECTOR
REHEARSALS
Stuart Birnie
Wednesday 7.30 – 9.30pm
LOCATION
The Dome
Brass Band is a friendly and sociable ensemble that welcomes brass and percussion players of all abilities. Conducted by Stuart Birnie, the band have performed a variety of pieces in past concerts, from classic brass band repertoire such as A London Overture and A Dowland Suite, to a xylophone duet for brass band and fun arrangements of music from The Incredibles and Chicken Run. We play in two concerts a year, as well as in the university’s Summer Festival of Music.
Brass Band also takes part in UniBrass, the annual university brass band competition, where we came 6th in 2020 with the award for best percussion.
MANAGER
Hannah Beech
Chamber Choirs
DIRECTOR
REHEARSALS
Student Conducted
Thursday 7 – 8.15pm (SSA) & 8.15 – 9.30pm (SATB)
LOCATION
Aston Webb Main LT
The Society run two choirs – a mixed choir and an upper voices choir. Both choirs are student led, with conductors chosen through annual auditions by the membership the choir. They perform a varied programme, from small sacred and secular works to popular world music.
Chamber Choirs are un-auditioned ensembles, open to anyone interested in smaller choral works.
MANAGER
Emily Sampson & Emily Peak
Chamber Music Network
DIRECTOR
REHEARSALS
-
Private ensemble rehearsals
LOCATION
The Dome
The Chamber Music Network at the University offers students the opportunity to be part of a variety of chamber ensembles, as well as perform in two annual concerts. Students can set up their own small ensemble, or join a pre-existing group, and informal platform sessions are held on a regular basis throughout the year where groups can receive constructive feedback from their peers and guest tutors.
MANAGER
Curtis Vetter & Reuben Tozer-Loft
Chorus
DIRECTOR
REHEARSALS
Julian Wilkins
Tuesday 7 – 9.30pm
LOCATION
Elgar Concert Hall
University Chorus is a large choir of between 150–200 singers and is one of the longest-standing ensembles at the University. They perform large works for chorus, and regularly collaborate with University orchestras, as well as organists and small ensembles from across the city. Recent highlights include Haydn’s The Creation alongside the Philharmonic Orchestra in Town Hall, Birmingham, as well as performances of music written for choir and organ by composers including Kodály, Elgar, Vaughan Williams, and John Rutter.
University Chorus is an un-auditioned community choir, open to singers of all experience levels. At present, the majority of the choir is made up of members of the local community, students, and staff from campus.
MANAGER
Alice Britton & Abigail Davies
Clarinet Choir
DIRECTOR
REHEARSALS
Student Conducted
Sunday 7.30 – 8.30pm
LOCATION
The Dome
Clarinet Choir is a new ensemble and welcomes players of all abilities. Rehearsing once a week, the ensemble is conducted by students and perform two concerts a year. Recent repertoire includes The Sorcerer's Apprentice, Albeniz's Cadiz and Danse Macabre.
MANAGER
Naomi Guest
Creative Exchange
DIRECTOR
REHEARSALS
Student Conducted
Various
LOCATION
University Music Hub
Creative Exchange is a collective ensemble for students interested in exploring contemporary repertoire, workshopping student compositions, and playing improvised or open score pieces. Featuring workshops led by professional musician and performer, Jack McNeill, as well as guest performers alongside student led rehearsals, Creative Exchange is an opportunity for students to try new ideas and broaden their musical horizons.
Recent projects have included collaborating with BEAST on the UK premiere of A New Ocean by Christopher Fox, and student compositions for open instrumentation, loop pedal, and single-use plastic.
MANAGER
Lizzie Knatt
Flute Choir
DIRECTOR
REHEARSALS
Student Conducted
Wednesday 1 – 2pm
LOCATION
University Music Hub
Flute Choir is a new ensemble, formed to accommodate the wealth of woodwind players at the University and offer opportunities for Flute players of all abilities. The ensemble is conducted by student conductors, and takes part in two concerts per year.
MANAGER
Katie Ratcliffe
Gamelan Ensemble
DIRECTOR
REHEARSALS
Andy Channing
Various Weekend Sessions
LOCATION
-
The Gamelan Ensemble is a student-led group for learning and performing Balinese gamelan gong kebyar. Workshops are ran by Gamelan specialist Dr. Andrew Channing, alongside student-led rehearsals. All are welcome and absolutely no previous experience is required.
MANAGER
Jazz Collective
DIRECTOR
REHEARSALS
Jonathan Silk
Private band rehearsals plus Friday evening workshops
LOCATION
The Dome
Jazz Collective gives talented jazz musicians at the University a chance to form small ensembles, performing a range of repertoire from well-known standards to arrangements and compositions by students. Students can take advantage of the many coaching opportunities offered through Jazz Collective, as well as sign-up for performance opportunities at the University and in venues across Birmingham.
MANAGER
Seb Rolley
Samba Band
DIRECTOR
REHEARSALS
-
Various weekend sessions
LOCATION
The Dome
The Samba Band is a new ensemble and gave its first performance at the University of Birmingham Proms in 2018. Students from all backgrounds are encouraged to get involved, and no previous experience, or specific musical ability, is required to become a member of the ensemble.
MANAGER
Rebecca Snoad
Saxophone Choir
DIRECTOR
REHEARSALS
Student Conducted
Friday 5 – 7pm
LOCATION
The Dome
The Saxophone Choir is an ensemble open to alto, tenor, baritone and soprano saxophone players at the University. Conducted by student musicians, the ensemble welcomes saxophone players of all abilities and performs a variety of works from popular hits to well-known classical compositions. Recent repertoire has included Holst’s Fantasia on the Dargason and Karen Street’s Tango.
MANAGER
Ed Commander
String Orchestra
DIRECTOR
REHEARSALS
Student Conducted
Sunday 5 – 7pm
LOCATION
The Dome
String Orchestra is a new ensemble formed to play a variety of classic and contemporary repertoire for strings. Offering opportunities to student conductors and string players, recent repertoire has included Grieg's Holberg Suite and Elgar's Serenade for Strings. The ensemble welcomes players of all abilities.
MANAGER
Caitlin Lobo
Wind Band
DIRECTOR
REHEARSALS
Student Conducted
Monday 8 – 10pm
LOCATION
Elgar Concert Hall
Wind Band is a large ensemble of brass, woodwind, and percussion players, who perform original works for wind band and wind orchestra alongside popular arrangements. Conducted by students, and with over 100 players, Wind Band is one the largest un-auditioned instrumental ensembles at the University.
MANAGER
Eleanor Rees & Lynette Graver
UNIVersity music ENSEMBLES
Auditions for these ensembles will be held at the beginning of each academic year.
University Women's Choir
The University Women’s Choir was founded in 2013 to accommodate and nurture the wealth of strong upper voices at the University. In their first year they quickly made a name for themselves, placing 1st position in the Female Choirs Competition and securing a place in the Choir of the World final at the International Music Eisteddfod.
Conducted by Jack Apperley, the University Women’s Choir have performed in the Elgar Concert Hall, Symphony Hall, Worcester Cathedral, and the Royal Albert Hall. In 2015 they worked with Juice Vocal Ensemble on a programme of contemporary women’s repertoire, including compositions by UoB Composition Fellow Dr Daria Kwiatowksa. In recent years they have focussed on celebrating historic and contemporary women composers, including Elizabeth Poston, Cecilia McDowall, Janet Wheeler, and Eva Ugalde.
UWC has appeared under the baton of many distinguished conductors, including Patrick Barrett, Simon Carrington, and Simon Halsey. Recent projects have included commissioning new music by Paul Mealor, and a premiere performance of the complete set of new choral works, written especially for upper voices, published by Oxford University Press.
DIRECTOR
Jack Apperley
REHEARSALS
Monday 7.45 – 10pm
Aston Webb Main LT
LOCATION
MANAGER
University Music Team
University Staff Singers
University Staff Singers offers members of staff at the University the opportunity to get involved in music-making in their lunch break. With no requirement for prior experience, or the ability to read music, the choir is a fun opportunity for all staff to give singing a try under the training of the MA Choral Conducting students from the Music Department. The choir rehearses on Thursday afternoons in term time in the University Music Hub.
DIRECTOR
MA Conducting Students
REHEARSALS
Thursday 12.30 – 1.30pm
University Music Hub
LOCATION
MANAGER
University Music Team
University Camerata
University Camerata is specially selected choir of up to 45 voices, created to work with the MA Choral Conducting students under the supervision of Professor Simon Halsey and University Chorus Director, Julian Wilkins. They rehearse once a week, focusing particularly on singing and conducting technique. Working with up to four student postgraduate conductors each year, University Camerata offers vocal students a platform to explore a large variety of a cappella choral repertoire.
DIRECTOR
MA Conducting Students
REHEARSALS
Monday 5 – 7pm
The Dome
LOCATION
MANAGER
University Music Team
University of Birmingham Voices
University of Birmingham Voices rehearse in the spring term for an annual performance alongside the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in Symphony Hall. This symphonic choir is a chorus of approximately 120 students, including singers from Birmingham University Singers, University Women’s Choir, and University Camerata. Performances to date have included a Gilbert & Sullivan Gala (2014) and Opera Choruses Gala (2015), a revue show of the music of Rodgers & Hammerstein (2016), and a critically acclaimed concert production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Yeomen of the Guard (2017). The choir enjoy a strong relationship with the CBSO Chorus, and in recent years have collaborated with the choir in massed performances of Walton’s Belshazzar’s Feast with John Wilson (2019), and Mahler’s Symphony No. 8 (“Symphony of a Thousand”) with Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla (2020).
University of Birmingham Voices remain in high demand and – alongside other vocal ensembles at the university – have returned to perform at the BBC Proms on a number of occasions. Highlights include three performances of Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius with Sir Simon Rattle and the Vienna Philharmonic in Birmingham, London, and Lucerne, as well as a performance of Verdi’s Messa da Requiem with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and Marin Alsop at the penultimate night of the festival in 2016. In 2017, the choir opened the Proms season with BBC Proms Youth Choir and Edward Gardner in a live televised performance of John Adams’s Harmonium.
DIRECTOR
Simon Halsey & Julian Wilkins
REHEARSALS
Bespoke Project Schedules
The Dome
LOCATION
MANAGER
University Music Team
New Music Ensemble
The hand-picked New Music Ensemble is the university contemporary music group. Directed by Director of Orchestral Studies, Daniele Rosina, the ensemble explore new works by student and staff composers, as well as commissioning new music by renowned composers working across the UK. In past years, NME have performed works by composers including Steve Reich, Boulez, Berio, and Dallapiccola, and recently contributed to the University commemoration of the Armistice with a presentation of Messiaen’s Et exspecto resurrectionem mortuorum.
New Music Ensemble are a regular feature at the Department of Music’s CrossCurrents music festival.
DIRECTOR
Daniele Rosina
REHEARSALS
Tuesday 5 – 7pm
The Dome
LOCATION
MANAGER
University Music Team
Collective for Early Music Performance and Research (CEMPR)
If you are interested in early music and would like to study on a period instrument or take vocal lessons with one of our specialist teachers, then you can join the activities of the Collective for Early Music Performance and Research. With a focus on period performance practice, CEMPR co-ordinates a number of ensembles (for Undergraduate and Postgraduate students) who receive coaching from some of the leading professional in the field, and give concerts in The Bramall and The Barber Institute of Fine Arts.
DIRECTOR
Professor Andrew Kirkman
REHEARSALS
Bespoke Schedule
Bramall Music Building
LOCATION
MANAGER
University Music Team
Birmingham University Singers
BUS is a mixed chamber choir of up to 45 auditioned singers directed by Bob Chilcott. Since its inception, the choir has gained a national reputation as one of the finest university choirs in the UK.
Rehearsing weekly and performing a wide and varied repertoire, the choir usually gives two concerts per year in the Elgar Concert Hall, plus a performance in Symphony Hall, Birmingham as part of University of Birmingham Voices. Their annual Festival of Lessons and Carols at St Michael’s, Tenbury, is a highlight of the academic year.
In recent years BUS has sung in Tewkesbury Abbey, Worcester, Gloucester, Oxford Cathedral’s, Clare College (Cambridge), the Royal Albert Hall, and Llangollen International Music Eisteddfod. Over the years BUS have had the opportunity to work with professional vocal ensembles, such as The Sixteen, Binchois Consort, Tenebrae, and Voces8. The choir has also developed a noted international reputation, having given concerts in Germany, Czech Republic, and Poland.
BUS has appeared under the baton of many distinguished guest conductors including Simon Carrington, Simon Halsey, Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla, and Sakari Oramo. Recent collaborations have included performances with Jeffrey Douma and Yale Glee Club, Nigel Short and Tenebrae, and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.
DIRECTOR
Bob Chilcott
REHEARSALS
Monday 7.45pm – 10pm
The Dome
LOCATION
MANAGER
University Music Team
Birmingham Symphonic Brass
Birmingham Symphonic Brass is a select student brass dectet that offers players the opportunity to perform core repertoire with organ as part of the University degree ceremonies and other high-profile events at the University. Directed by leading composer and conductor, Stephen Roberts, the ensemble perform regularly at concerts and events in the city, and recently played for the installation ceremony to formally welcome the University’s new Chancellor.
To book the group for performances or external events, please contact the University Music and Concerts Team.
DIRECTOR
Stephen Roberts
REHEARSALS
Alternate Friday evenings
Bramall Music Building
LOCATION
MANAGER
University Music Team