Birmingham University Liturgical Choir
Birmingham University Liturgical Choir at Lichfield Cathedral
Director: Dr Paul Rodmell
Rehearsals: Bespoke Project Schedules
BULC is a mixed choir of around 26 singers who 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.
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 Bramall Music Building each term, as places are first-come-first served. For more information, please contact Gavin Allsop.
Brass Band
Director: Stuart Birnie
Rehearsals: Wednesday 19:30 - 21:30
The Brass Band is a Music Society ensemble which gives two concerts per year, often joint with the 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. This 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 player are in the most suitable positions. The band compete in the annual Uni Brass competition and came 6th in the 2015 and 5th in 2016.
Cello Choir
Director: Elaine Ackers
Rehearsals: Wednesday 13:30 - 14:30
Cello Choir is the society’s newest ensemble, and is open to all cellists. The choir meets weekly to rehearse with 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 – the mixed choir and the upper voices choir. Both choirs are student led, with student conductors chosen by the choirs themselves. They perform a varied programme, from small sacred and secular works to popular world musics.
Chamber Choirs are un-auditioned ensembles, open to anyone interested in smaller choral works.
Chamber Music Network
Our Chamber Music Network gives students the opportunity to be part of a variety of chamber ensembles, and perform in two annual concerts. Students can set up their own small ensemble, or join a pre-existing group. Informal platform sessions are held throughout the year, in order for groups to gain constructive feedback from their peers. For audition information, or to book the group, please contact the University Music and Concerts Team.
Clarinet Choir
Director: Student Conducted
Rehearsals: Sunday 19:30 - 20:30
Clarinet Choir is a relatively new ensemble and welcomes players of all abilities. Rehearsing once a week, Clarinet Choir 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: Workshops, plus small group rehearsals
Creative Exchange is a collective ensemble for those interested in exploring contemporary repertoire, workshopping student compositions, and playing improvised or open score pieces. Featuring workshops led by contemporary musician, Jack McNeill, and guest performers alongside student led rehearsals, this is the perfect opportunity to try new ideas and broaden your musical horizons. Recent projects include 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.
Flute Choir
Director: Student Conducted
Rehearsals: Wednesday 13:00 - 14:00
Flute Choir is one of the society's newest ensembles, having recently been created due to high demand. It is a small ensemble that caters for flute players of all abilities. The ensemble is conducted by student conductors, and takes part in two concerts per year.
Jazz Collective
Director: Jonathan Silk
Rehearsals: Private band rehearsals, plus Friday evening workshops
Jazz Collective gives talented jazz musicians within the University a chance to form smaller ensembles, performing a range of repertoire from well-known standards to arrangements and compositions by students. There are many performance opportunities offered through Jazz Collective, in venues across Birmingham.
Samba Band
The Samba Band is a new ensemble and gave its first performance at the Birmingham Proms in June 2018. No previous experience, or specific musical ability, is required to become a member of the ensemble – simply indicate your interest by signing up during Welcome Week.
Saxophone Choir
Director: Student Conducted
Rehearsals: Friday 17:00 - 19:00
The Saxophone Choir is an ensemble conducted by students available for alto, tenor, baritone and soprano players. It welcomes saxophone players of all abilities and performs a variety of works from popular hits to well-known classical compositions, taking part in two concerts per year. 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 newly formed student-conducted group aiming to play a variety of classic and contemporary repertoire. 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. They perform large works for chorus, including a recent performance of Haydn’s The Creation alongside the University Philharmonic Orchestra in Birmingham Town Hall. The University Chorus is conducted by Director, 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 will 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
Founded in 2016, 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 from 12:30 in the University Music Hub.
If you are interested and want to find out more, please contact Gavin Allsop.
Wind Band
Director: Student Conducted (with coaching from Keith Allen and Birmingham Symphonic Winds)
Rehearsals: Monday 20:00 - 22:00
This Music Society band is a large ensemble of brass, woodwind, and percussion players, who perform original works for wind band and wind orchestra alongside popular arrangements. With over 100 players this is the largest un-auditioned instrumental ensembles.