Students from the brass band holding instruments

This year, University Music and the University of Birmingham Music Society is delighted to announce a two-week period of events at the end of the semester for students, staff, and members of the wider community.

Running from 9 – 21 June 2024, the Summer Festival of Music will include a variety of events on-campus and across the city. Performances will include contributions from the University Folk Band and String Orchestra, as well as electro-acoustic student compositions as part of miniBEAST. There will also be opportunities to hear from University Music scholarship holders, as well as talented members of the Music Society. The central weekend of the festival will focus on a concert presented by the Summer Festival Orchestra, celebrating a year of outstanding student music-making with a performance of Shostakovich’s fifth symphony, along with new music by student, Oliver Beck, and a performance from the winner of the annual Society Soloist Competition, Jessie Lewis.

We also look forward to taking residence in The Spotted Dog, Digbeth, as the University’s flagship Jazz Orchestra perform with Jonathan Silk performing music by the Brecker Brothers and Donald Fagen, before transitioning to an evening of music by student bands from Jazz Collective.

The festival opens with a reunion event for the University’s popular Brass Band, featuring music by our own Stephen Roberts and led by Stuart Birnie, celebrating his ten years of inspirational leadership of the ensemble.

For a full schedule of all of the events, as well as information on how to book tickets for our concerts, please visit University Music Society. All information can also be found in our Summer 2024 brochure, which can be picked up across campus and in the city, and on the University website.

Follow our social media accounts for regular updates, links, and further information: Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook.

University Music provides the University of Birmingham with one of the liveliest music-making scenes of any campus. With around 1500 positions available in our 35-plus ensembles, members participate in a variety of instrumental and vocal groups, across a range of abilities and styles. University Music is open to students, staff, and the local community, and provides participants with opportunities for professional coaching, exceptional concerts, as well as the chance to apply for yearly scholarships.