Learn about my experience with University Music at UoB. From ensembles and concerts to socials and competitions, here’s why joining is worth it.
My experience with University Music has been amazing, and it has become a huge part of my university life. I’m going into my third year as an English Literature student at UoB, and I wanted to keep my hobby of music going at university. With a £20 membership fee (which is less than a lot of societies and sports groups), you can join as many of the over 40 auditioned and non-auditioned ensembles as you want to. I play the trumpet and cornet, and I had been in a brass band at home for over 10 years when I joined university, so I knew that I wanted to be a part of University Music and join the brass band ensemble. The brass band rehearse on a Wednesday from 7:30-9:30, so I went along on the first week that ensembles were playing. I was pretty nervous, but I immediately felt welcomed and quickly made friends in the ensemble. In my first year, the band placed third in the shield section for Unibrass, which is an event where lots of university brass bands compete. We did some concerts in the Elgar concert hall, an amazing venue that the university ensembles get to perform in, which often ended in a trip to Dilshad, the local Indian restaurant!
In my second year, I wanted to give back to the ensemble and University Music, so I decided to run for brass band manager and be on the committee. I was voted to be manager for the next calendar year, so I started my duties to the ensemble and the committee after Christmas. Alongside ensuring rehearsals ran smoothly and representing my ensemble on the committee, my main concern in January and February was preparing everything for our performance at Unibrass. After filling out a lot of forms, rehearsing lots, and desperately trying to work out how to convert a PowerPoint, we made it to Cardiff to compete in the trophy section (the top section). After everyone’s hard work and a brilliant performance, we were delighted to find out that we won, meaning the UoB brass band is the best university brass band (until the next competition at least)!
As a member of University Music, you also get to enjoy the socials organised by the social secretaries on the committee. We have a Christmas soiree every year where the members of different ensembles that might not see each other much can mix. The highlight social event of the year is the University Music Ball held before the end of the year, where everyone dresses up in formal clothes and enjoys a fun night with live music. The brass band are a particularly social ensemble – we hang out after every rehearsal and have had socials like bowling and bingo! You can also get involved in the summer festival of music and continue performing in the summer term. University Music is a great experience, whether you’re a music student or you study something else and want to continue music as a hobby like me. I have made some amazing friends, and it has become one of the best parts of university for me, so I definitely recommend it if you’re considering becoming a member.
In a typical day, I love going to the gym or taking part in one of our music ensemble rehearsals.
