Frequently asked questions – University Music

University Music is the centre of extra-curricular music-making opportunities on campus. The musical equivalent of UB Sport – University Music provides over 1600 positions in over 40 ensembles across the academic year, and co-ordinates students and professional concerts on campus, as well as high profile external events. University Music is open to students, staff, and the local community, and works closely with the Student Committee and the Centre for Early Music Performance and Research.

Yes, all ensemble members must be member of University Music and practice room access will similarly only be granted to members. Membership fees contribute to the running costs of the club. Being a member enables you to attend and vote at the annual AGM, and covers participation in as many ensembles as you’d like to join.

You will also be eligible for free tickets to selected Barber Evening Concerts and will often receive discounted ticket offers from external organisations such as the CBSO and Birmingham Royal Ballet. Members have the opportunity to receive free 1-to-1 tuition in areas such as Performance Coaching and Alexander Technique and can take advantage of the full Health and Wellbeing offer specifically tailored to musicians. Members can also loan University Music and Early Music instruments (limited selection) for no cost and receive coaching from our visiting tutors and Early Music specialists.

Memberships are active from 1 September – 31^st August each year.

A new committee is voted in at the AGM at the end of each autumn term for the upcoming calendar year. Further details on roles and how to apply are circulated in advance of the AGM.

If you would like to join an auditioned ensemble, auditions are held during the first week of the autumn term – to sign up for an audition, please email universitymusichub@contacts.bham.ac.uk during Welcome Week and take a look at the corresponding University Music web page. Auditions only happen once per year and all students must reaudition annually.

For un-auditioned ensembles, students can sign-up and join within the first three weeks of the autumn and spring terms – though you are encouraged to join as early as possible. For more information on the ensembles please visit the website, and to express your interest in joining please email universitymusichub@contacts.bham.ac.uk.

Active members of University Music ensembles can apply to practice in the University Music Hub (Frankland basement level) which has 17 practice rooms, including a rehearsal studio, jazz studio, and recording studio. To request access to these facilities, members must complete an application form through universitymusichub@contacts.bham.ac.uk and agree to the Practice Room Policy. Non-music students cannot book rooms but can view the booking system to see when rooms are free.

If you are not a member of an ensemble you can apply for access to the Open-Access Practice Room. This room cannot be booked and instead operates on hourly slots on a first-come-first-served basis. It contains an upright piano and a music stand. All users must be members of University Music to use this room. Students not in ensembles are not able to use the instrument storage facilities.

Requests should be made in writing to universitymusichub@contacts.bham.ac.uk from Autumn Week 2 onwards.

University Music are unfortunately unable to provide lessons to non-music students, instead we recommend that anyone wishing to arrange private tuition does so via the local music service. The UM team will be happy to advise on this, however, please note that private lessons cannot take place on campus.

Students who perform in a University Music ensemble can request access to a Music Instrument Store to store their instrument. Music students and scholars are given automatic access. All amplified instruments should be stored in the Frankland Specialist Store, with exceptions for the Jazz Orchestra rhythm section. Any student using the store rooms must have a personal instrument insurance policy that covers rooms with multiple users, and all instruments must be labelled.

University Music has a limited selection of instruments, most of which are doubling instruments to supplement our ensembles. Instruments such as Cor Anglais, Contrabassoon, Baritone Saxophone, Alto Flute etc. can be loaned out to ensemble members, as well as a small collection of Bb Cornets (+Eb), Flugelhorn, Baritone Horn, and both basses (Eb and Bb) for members wishing to join the University Brass Band. We are also able to lend a Sitar, Harmonium, Tabla, and Dholak drum to students in the South Asian Music Ensemble.

Requests for instrument loans can be made in writing to universitymusichub@contacts.bham.ac.uk and requests for Early Music instruments should be directed to Andrew Kirkman (a.kirkman@bham.ac.uk). Unfortunately, we do not have a stock of standard orchestral instruments to loan out. If you would like to know if we have the instrument you play, please get in touch at the above email.

Most University Music ensembles share a common concert dress code (smart black) and this is detailed on the corresponding schedule of each ensemble. Some ensembles may have slight variations to this, and members will be advised in advance of the concert by the ensemble manager.

Tickets for all University Music concerts can be found on the events page of the website and cost £5 plus booking fee. Tickets can also be purchased at the box office on the day of the concert; however, we recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment.

University Music members wishing to attend a Barber Evening concert can reserve their free ticket by emailing Celia Walley at c.l.walley@bham.ac.uk.

Friday lunchtime Barber Concerts are free to attend and have unreserved seating.

We have a limited number of scholarships available each year for incoming undergraduate students who are not studying Music and perform at a Grade 8 level. More information on eligibility and how to apply can be found on the Music scholarships page.

There are also opportunities for new undergraduate Physics students to apply for scholarships paid for by the Physics department. These are applied for upon arrival to the University and students must have passed their Grade 8 exam to be considered.

Students who have a Reasonable Adjustment Plan (RAP) in place, or have any additional educational or pastoral needs that may affect their involvement in an ensemble, may speak confidentially with members of the University Music and Concerts team.