Birmingham University Liturgical Choir
Birmingham University Liturgical Choir at Lichfield Cathedral
Director: Dr Paul Rodmell
Rehearsals: Bespoke Project Schedules
The University Liturgical Choir is a mixed choir of around 26 singers that offers students the opportunity to experience performing sacred music in a liturgical setting. Originally formed in 1983 to sing regular services at St Alban the Martyr, Birmingham, the choir now come together, usually once per term, to sing Evensong at local cathedrals across the West Midlands area. Recent projects have included repeat visits to Lichfield Cathedral, as well as St Philip’s Cathedral in Birmingham.
The choir is an un-auditioned ensemble and is open to anyone who is interested in exploring the Anglican church music tradition. A sign-up sheet is posted in the Music Office in the University Music Hub each term, as places are first-come-first served.
Brass Band

Brass Band in rehearsal with Stuart Birnie
Director: Stuart Birnie
Rehearsals: Wednesday 19:30 - 21:30
Brass Band is a Music Society ensemble which gives two concerts per year, often jointly with the University Wind Band or Chamber Choirs. The band plays a wide variety of music, from traditional brass standards to film music and arrangements of pop classics. They are directed by leading tuba player and educator, Stuart Birnie.
The ensemble is an un-auditioned group with no cap on membership - so expect between 40-55 players rather than a standard band format. Seating auditions are held at the start of each term, in some sections, to ensure that players are in the most suitable positions. The annual band visit to the ‘Uni Brass’ competition is a highlight of the academic year.
Cello Choir
Director: Elaine Ackers
Rehearsals: Wednesday 13:30 - 14:30
Cello Choir is one of University Music’s newest ensembles, and is open to all cellists at the University. The ensemble meets weekly to rehearse with professional cellist, Elaine Ackers, and performs regularly in concerts throughout the academic year. Recent repertoire has included Gordon Jacobs’ Cello Octet.
Chamber Choirs (SATB & SSA)
Director: Student Conducted
Rehearsals: Thursday 19:00 - 20:15 (SSA) & 20:15 - 21:30 (SATB)
The Music Society run two choirs as part of University Music – 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.
Chamber Music Network
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.
To book a Chamber Music group for performances or external events, please contact the University Music and Concerts Team.
Clarinet Choir
Director: Student Conducted
Rehearsals: Sunday 19:30 - 21:30
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.
Collective of Early Music Performance and Research (CEMPR)
Director: Professor Andrew Kirkman
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.
CEMPR Ensembles include:
- Baroque and Classical Orchestra, Early Modern Vocal Ensemble (EMVE), Baroque Flute Ensemble, Early Strings, Harmonie Band, Sackbutts and Cornetts, Continuo Club
- Professional CEMPR coaches include: Anneke Scott (Horns), Andrew King (Voice), Mark Chambers (Voice)
Creative Exchange
Rehearsals: Wednesday 18:00 – 21:00 workshops, plus small group rehearsals
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.
Folk Band
Folk Band rehearsing to perform in The Dome with Paloma Trigas
Director: Paloma Trigas
Rehearsals: Thursday 18:00 - 20:00
Folk Band is University Music’s newest group and is open to all musicians interested in folk music at the University. They meet weekly to rehearse with session leader Paloma Trigas, and work on folk tunes from across the globe. The band is open to any student on campus, regardless of instrument, and there is no requirement for any previous experience playing folk music.
The ensemble perform yearly at the Summer Festival of Music in June, as well as at venues across the city.
Flute Choir
Director: Student Conducted
Rehearsals: Wednesday 13:00 - 14:30
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.
Jazz Collective

Jazz Collective bands in performance in the foyer of the Bramall Music Building
Director: Jonathan Silk
Rehearsals: Private band rehearsals, plus Friday evening workshops
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.
To book a Jazz Collective group for performances or external events, please contact the University Music and Concerts Team.
Saxophone Choir
Director: Student Conducted
Rehearsals: Friday 17:00 - 19:00
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.
String Orchestra
Director: Student Conducted
Rehearsals: Sunday 17:00 - 19:00
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.
University Chorus
University Chorus in rehearsal with University Symphony Orchestra and Julian Wilkins at Birmingham Town Hall
Director: Julian Wilkins
Rehearsals: Tuesday 19:00 - 21:30
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 organists and small ensembles from across the city. Recent highlights include performances of music written for choir and organ by composers including Kodály, Elgar, Vaughan Williams, and John Rutter. The University Chorus is directed by Julian Wilkins, and has Professor Simon Halsey, Director of Choral Activities, as its Artistic Director. Rehearsals for University Chorus also act as a platform for the MA Choral Conducting students, who occasionally lead warm-ups or take sectional rehearsals.
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.
University Staff Singers
Director: MA Conducting Students
Rehearsals: Thursday 12:30 - 13:30
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.
If you are interested and want to find out more, please contact the University Music and Concerts Team.
Wind Band
Director: Student Conducted (with coaching from Keith Allen and Birmingham Symphonic Winds)
Rehearsals: Monday 20:00 - 22:00
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.