Choirs & Philharmonia

Join University of Nottingham students, staff and alumni and perform exciting, varied and challenging repertoire in several concerts annually.

UNIVERSITY PHILHARMONIA

University Philharmonia is an auditioned symphony orchestra directed by the Sir Charles Mackerras Conducting Fellow Jonathan Tilbrook. The orchestra comprises students from over 20 academic disciplines from across the University of Nottingham and performs an exciting, varied and challenging repertoire in several concerts annually, including joint concerts with the University Choir.

The University Philharmonia aspires to the highest standards of performance and requires dedication and committed attendance during the intensive rehearsal periods over weekends three weeks prior to each concert.

If you perform at approximately grade 8 ABRSM level minimum and would like to join University Philharmonia please sign up at the Mussoc stand at Freshers’ Fair during Welcome Week.

Secure your place and sign up for the Philharmonia for Spring 2024 here, you will need to select the correct option below to book your space. 

SIGN UP TO PERFORM IN THE PHILHARMONIA

Spring 2024 Concert 
Xuefei Yang & University Philharmonia  | Saturday 24 February, 7.30pm
 

Click below for repertoire and rehearsal schedule.

Dates for 2024

Jonathan Tilbrook Conductor
Paul Emmett and Samuel Davis Assistant Conductors
Alex Paszkowicz & Lauren Cawkwell Arts Administration Ensemble Trainees

All rehearsals take place in the Rehearsal Hall, Department of Music, University Park campus unless noted otherwise below.

Spring Term
Saturday 24 February 7.30pm
Albert Hall, Nottingham

Repertoire to include:
Chen Yi Concerto for Guitar & Orchestra – world premiere
Rodrigo Concierto de Aranjuez Xuefei Yang, guitar Friday 9 February 7pm-10pm
 

Saturday 10 February, 10am-1pm
Saturday 10 February, 2pm-5pm
Sunday 11 February, 2pm-5pm
Friday 16 February, 7pm-9:30pm
Saturday 17 February, 10am-1pm
Saturday 17 February, 2pm-5pm
Sunday 18 February, 2pm-5pm
Friday 23 February, 7pm-9:30pm
Saturday 24 February, 2pm-5pm (Rehearsal at Albert Hall)
Saturday 24 February, 7:30pm (Concert at Albert Hall)

 

UNIVERSITY CHOIR

The University Choir is the largest choir on campus. Membership to this choir is open to all students, alumni and staff of the University of Nottingham. There is no audition requirement for students; staff and alumni are required to do a short, informal audition for entry. Directed by professional conductor Calum Fraser, the Choir performs two or three concerts annually including a joint concert with the University Philharmonia. This is an opportunity to experience singing in a large-scale choir, professionally led by Calum Fraser. Open to all students who can read music and love singing.

The Choir rehearses weekly on Tuesday evenings 6.30-8.45pm during term-time in the Djanogly Rehearsal Hall.

Secure your place and sign up for the choir for Spring 2023 here, select the correct option to book your space.

SIGN UP TO PERFORM IN THE CHOIR

Spring 2024 Concert
University Choir & Chamber Choir | Saturday 16 March, 7.30pm

Click below for repertoire and rehearsal schedule.

Dates for 2024

Calum Fraser Choir Director
Lucy Blick, Becky Brundrett-Hall & Tom Morris Assistant Conductors
Rob Challinor Repetiteur
TBC Arts Administration Choir Trainees

All rehearsals take place in the Rehearsal Hall, Department of Music, University Park campus unless noted otherwise below.

Tuesday 30 January, 6:30pm-8:45pm
Tuesday 6 February, 6:30pm-8:45pm
Tuesday 13 February, 6:30pm-8:45pm
Tuesday 20 February, 6:30pm-8:45pm
Saturday 24 February, 2pm-4:30pm
Tuesday 27 February, 6:30pm-8:45pm
Tuesday 5 March, 6:30pm-8:45pm
Tuesday 12 March, 6:30pm-8:45pm
Saturday 16 March, 2pm-5pm (Rehearsal at Great Hall)
Saturday 16 March, 7:30pm (Concert at Great Hall)

 

UNIVERSITY CHAMBER CHOIR

University Chamber Choir is an auditioned choir directed by professional conductor Calum Fraser. The University Chamber Choir numbers around 32 singers and tackles some specifically written and challenging repertoire, performing alongside University Choir, University Philharmonia as well as performing concerts of its own.

Please note, Chamber Choir members are also required to join University Choir.

If you perform at approximately grade 8 ABRSM level and would like to join University Chamber Choir please sign up at the Mussoc stand at Freshers’ Fair during Welcome Week for a short audition.

You can sign up and secure your place in the Chamber Choir for Spring 2024 here, you will need to select the correct option below to book your space. 

SIGN UP TO PERFORM IN THE CHAMBER CHOIR

Spring 2024 Concert
University Choir & Chamber Choir | Saturday 16 March, 7.30pm

Click below for repertoire and rehearsal schedule.

Dates for 2024

Calum Fraser Choir Director
Lucy Blick, Becky Brundrett-Hall, Tom Morris Assistant Conductors
Rob Challinor Repetiteur
TBC Arts Administration Choir Trainees

Tuesday 30 January, 5pm-6:15pm
Tuesday 6 February, 5pm-6:15pm
Tuesday 13 February, 5pm-6:15pm
Tuesday 20 February, 5pm-6:15pm
Saturday 24 February, 10:30am-1pm
Tuesday 27 February, 5pm-6:15pm
Tuesday 5 March, 5pm-6:15pm
Tuesday 12 March, 5pm-6:15pm
Saturday 16 March, 2pm-5pm (Rehearsal at Great Hall)
Saturday 16 March, 7:30pm (Concert at Great Hall)

 

FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES

Auditions are held at the end of spring term for students who would like the opportunity to be Assistant Conductor to the University Choir, University Philharmonia and University Wind Orchestra and receive one-to-one mentoring by their Directors.

Auditions for the opportunity to be a soloist with one of the large ensembles: University Wind Orchestra, Philharmonia, Sinfonia or Choir are held in March.

Further information will be provided on the Lakeside noticeboard in the Music Department in the spring term.

For further information please contact Catherine Hocking: catherine.hocking@nottingham.ac.uk