University Music are delighted to report the continued success of music-making on campus as students look forward to concerts this Autumn.
The start of the academic year is always a busy one in University Music, and this year we were once again thrilled to welcome hundreds of new musicians into our vast array of ensembles. With the semester well and truly underway, rehearsals are also in progress for what promises to be a fantastic programme of concerts.
The University Jazz Orchestra, led by Director of Jazz Studies Jonathan Silk, are delighted to welcome guest artist Josephine Davies who brings with her a full set of original compositions and arrangements for the band to perform. Davies has been praised for her ‘consistently inventive’ approach to playing and will be joining the Jazz Orchestra on Tenor Saxophone in their December concert. You can also see a selection of talented student jazz musicians around the city in our ‘Student Jazz sessions’ where bands will perform invigorating lunchtime concerts in The Exchange and in the Bramall Foyer Mezzanine.
Continuing with jazz opportunities, we are delighted to welcome back Music alumni Yasmin Byng and Toby Caswell to lead Jazz Choir, one of the newest ensemble additions to University Music. The choir will also be supported by visiting tutor Sara Colman and audiences can hear them perform in December, supporting Jazz Orchestra in the first half of their concert.
Both the Philharmonic and Symphony Orchestras are set to revisit some orchestral classics in their respective concerts, with repertoire from the Romantic era including Dvořák’s seminal ‘From the New World Symphony’ and Borodin’s lively ‘Polovtsian Dances’. Expect grand melodies, beautiful lyricism, and plenty of character from some of the era’s most prolific composers. Continuing with large ensembles, following a sold-out concert last spring the ever-growing University Wind Band are preparing a programme of music from stage and screen, featuring pieces from Leonard Bernstein, Alan Silvestri, John Williams, and Hans Zimmer for what promises to be an hour packed full of excitement!
The choral offer remains strong as ever, and this year the University Upper Voices choir led by the Director of Choirs Mariana Rosas are thrilled to be performing the world premiere of Will Roberts’ ‘Ave Maris Stella’ which was the winning entry in the 2024 University Music Composition Prize. You can also see University Upper Voices in action at the University Carol Service, and if you enjoy festive choral music perhaps take a trip over to Tenbury Wells to catch the Birmingham University Singers in their annual weekend visit.
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, and also offers scholarships for incoming students to the University.
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Director of Jazz Studies
Biographical and contact information for Mr Jonathan Silk, Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Birmingham.
