University of Bristol, Music Department

06/12/2023

We are very much looking forward to Paul Walton's organ recital this Friday - please note that the venue is the Wills Memorial Building's Great Hall. ***We are sorry to say that there is no access to wheelchair users to the Great Hall at present. ***

This will be the first public recital in the Great Hall for 13 years; all welcome and ticket details in the link below (UoB students free upon production of their Ucard):

https://www.bristol.ac.uk/arts/events/2023/december/lunchtime-concertpaul-walton.html

05/12/2023

Join us tomorrow afternoon in Victoria Methodist Church, Whiteladies Road, 1.15pm, for School Cantorum's concert of Medieval chant and polyphony, including the stunning setting of "Sederunt" by Perotin. They will also perform one of the Great "O" antiphons.

Admission is free with donations invited afterwards towards costs.

01/12/2023

Our graduate Barbora asks to highlight this opportunity:
“Rockout Baby is looking for a music teacher (must sing and play guitar or ukulele) to conduct music classes 2 mornings a week (flexible on days if right candidate is found), starting January 2024.
Rockout Baby plays covers of well-known rock and roll songs as well as classic nursery rhymes. Must have some experience with children and ideally owns a own car. There is requirement to prepare for every upcoming lesson. Pay is £50 per hour. Here’s our website
https://www.rockoutbaby.com

Please email [email protected] if interested.”

Rock Out Baby is a fun, interactive music class for babies and toddlers to nourish their creativity and awaken their inner rock star! We are different from most music classes in that all our class leaders are trained and working musicians. We play covers of well known Rock and Roll songs as well as....

30/11/2023

Don't forget our Wind Orchestra's lunchtime concert tomorrow at 1.15pm - Thomas Jensen and musicians will perform the Marches from John William's Star Wars, and also play Holst's Second Suite for military band. We will journey through time with Murray Gold's "Dr Who" theme arrangement and finish with something seasonal! All welcome - admission £5 with University of Bristol students free on production of their UCard:
https://www.bristol.ac.uk/arts/events/2023/december/lunchtime-concert-1-dec-wind-orchestra.html

28/11/2023

We are delighted to share Angelynn Zhang's excellent pictures from Saturday's concert with you (and with kind permission of the photographer); Angelynn is an undergraduate student in our Department of Film and Television.

27/11/2023

Many congratulations to all concerned for Saturday evening's concert - it was a hugely enjoyable programme and enjoyed by a large and appreciative audience! Thank you especially to John and Elinor for all their hard work and expertise and to all the musicians who so enthusiastically performed.

We're hoping to post pictures tomorrow.

Symphony Orchestra and University Singers' programme includes Holsts Beni Mora, Vaughan Williams's Serenade to Music and Symphony No. 2 by Grace Williams.

24/11/2023

Join us tomorrow evening for a very special Symphony Orchestra concert of Holst, Vaughan Williams (with University Singers) and Grace Williams (first English performance of the Second Symphony). Tickets are available online here (and also at the door by card if you cannot access this link, but please arrive in plenty of time before the 7.30pm concert start):

Symphony Orchestra and University Singers' programme includes Holsts Beni Mora, Vaughan Williams's Serenade to Music and Symphony No. 2 by Grace Williams.

23/11/2023

Tickets are still available for Saturday evening’s Symphony Concert – link below. For ease of purchase, we’re also accepting cards on the night, subject to seating being available (but we cannot accept cash).

If you’re unable to purchase online and wish to opt for a card purchase, please ensure you arrive no later than 7.15pm.

Thank you.

Symphony Orchestra and University Singers' programme includes Holsts Beni Mora, Vaughan Williams's Serenade to Music and Symphony No. 2 by Grace Williams.

21/11/2023

A musical feast for you in this St.Cecilia's patronal week! Tomorrow, 1.15pm we have the first of the BUMS Mini Series Chamber Music in nearby Victoria Methodist Church. Free entry with donations invited afterwards towards costs.

On Friday at 1.15pm, in our Auditorium, we have Baroque Ensemble - tickets £5 with free entry for UoB students on production of their uCard.

On Saturday at 7.30pm we have our first evening concert of the term, featuring Symphony Orchestra and University Singers, conducted by John Pickard and Elinor Cooper. This is an uplifting programme, beginning with Holst's Ben Mora suite, followed by Vaughan Williams' *Serenade to Music* where the orchestra will be joined by University Singers.
We finish the concert with the English premiere of Grace Williams' Second Symphony.
Do join us - this link contains ticket details:
https://www.bristol.ac.uk/arts/events/2023/november/evening-concertuniversity-symphony-orchestra.html

As always we really appreciate your timely arrival for concerts as well as your musical company and support.

Symphony Orchestra and University Singers' programme includes Holsts Beni Mora, Vaughan Williams's Serenade to Music and Symphony No. 2 by Grace Williams.

20/11/2023

Wednesday sees the first of our "Mini Series" (details in our Events section and on the poster); music by Dvorak, Poulenc, Jacob and Booza to enjoy!

16/11/2023

Come for a slice of heavenly singing tomorrow (Friday, 17 November 2023); all welcome - ticket link below and free for UoB students on production of their UCard:
https://www.bristol.ac.uk/arts/events/2023/november/lunchtime-concert17-nov-university-singers.html

13/11/2023

As at 2pm on Monday 13 November, they only need another 44 signatures to reach the 500-signature goal, ideally before tomorrow's meeting.
Please sign and/or share!
Many thanks to those who have already signed, shared and coaxed others.

Improve the Bristol University Music Practice Rooms

13/11/2023

https://www.bristol.ac.uk/arts/events/2023/november/lunchtime-concert24-nov-baroque-ensemble.html

13/11/2023

Our Symphony Orchestra programme on 25th November includes the ***English premiere*** of Grace Williams' Second Symphony. Please purchase tickets and/or help share this event.
https://www.bristol.ac.uk/arts/events/2023/november/university-symphony-orchestra.html
Many thanks.

10/11/2023

St Nicholas’ Patronal Service & Festival.
St Nicholas Church, St Nicholas Way, Brockley BS48 3AX


In the mediaeval Brockley Church
Sunday 3rd December. 5.30 pm

A special service to celebrate our Patron Saint.

Choral accompaniment and singing by Bristol University Music Department ‘Schola Cantorum’

Story telling by Michael Loader

Wine, mulled cider and warmed Christmas nibbles after the service.

Join us for our traditional St Nicholas’ Patronal Service in a traditionally decorated country church.

Start the festive season celebrating the life and work of St Nicholas, our patron saint, followed by choral singing, a short story, mulled cider and warm nibbles.

This year in addition to our usual service we have the superb Bristol University Music Department ‘Schola Cantorum’ providing choral accompaniment followed by a short performance after the service.

Well known Somerset story teller Michael Loader will tell his newly written short story about St Nicholas and some other saints.

Refreshments, mulled cider, warmed nibbles and cake will be available afterwards followed by carols round the newly restored organ.

All are welcome. Dress warmly as St Nicholas is an historic country church !

5.30 pm until about 7.15 pm.

10/11/2023

Our first evening concert of this term is very exciting - Symphony Orchestra (John Pickard, conductor) and University Singers (Elinor Cooper, director) present music by Holst, Vaughan Williams and Grace Williams.

Admission via our ticket link only; no cash or cards on the night - sorry.

Please support this; this is an engaging programme. The Holst suite is not so often performed, while the Vaughan Williams offers a chance to hear University Singers with our Symphony Orchestra (plus an opportunity for Elinor to conduct our orchestra). The growing number of Grace Williams admirers will love her Second Symphony:
https://www.bristol.ac.uk/arts/events/2023/november/university-symphony-orchestra.html

10/11/2023

Join us next Friday for a little piece of choral heaven, courtesy University Singers, directed by Elinor Cooper, and including music by another alum Gareth Treseder !

The concert features works for double choir including Victoria’s sublime Salve Regina, Hail Gladdening Light by Charles Wood and Faire is the Heaven by William Harris, alongside music by Eriks Esenvalds, Gustav Holst, Anton Bruckner and Amy Beach.

The Programme is in our "Events" posting.

Enjoy Tilly Heath's talented poster artwork!

https://www.bristol.ac.uk/arts/events/2023/november/lunchtime-concert-10-nov-bums-composition-showcase.html

08/11/2023

In an ideal world, the Music Department would be able to offer our Practice Rooms to *all* UoB students. Due to having to prioritise our own curricular performance units (which are taken across five different year groups), we cannot do this since we must support students who have opted to take a music degree. We already support and accommodate a wide range of non-music UoB students who play in our ensembles such as Symphony Orchestra, University Singers, New Music Ensemble and Schola Cantorum and continue to provide dedicated ensemble rehearsal and concert space for such groups, as well as for student-led ensembles.

There are a few practice spaces open to all UoB students and the main alternative, the three practice rooms in the Students' Union Richmond Building, are very problematic. Our Music Society, under their President, acknowledges the demand for these rooms for all UoB students and the urgent need to improve them, a venture supported by the Students' Union.

They have hosted a petition asking for support - it only takes a moment to sign. More importantly, whether you are a current student, alumnus, staff or member of the public, please ***share*** this message/link, ideally before Tuesday - thank you:

Improve the Bristol University Music Practice Rooms

08/11/2023

This Friday - the Programme is now available on our Events page and includes many first public performances! Many thanks to Bristol University Music Society
https://www.bristol.ac.uk/arts/events/2023/november/lunchtime-concert-10-nov-bums-composition-showcase.html

08/11/2023

Some lovely artwork here!

07/11/2023

Our Friday lunchtime series returns on 10 November at 1.15pm, with the BUMS Composers' Concert. Expect some student first performances for a variety of chamber ensembles. All welcome - you will find details in our "Events" section.
https://www.bristol.ac.uk/arts/events/2023/november/lunchtime-concert-10-nov-bums-composition-showcase.html

26/10/2023

Don’t forget our exciting lunchtime concert tomorrow at 1.15pm; all welcome and tickets may be purchased in advance;

https://www.bristol.ac.uk/arts/events/2023/october/lunchtime-concert-27-oct-quimantu.html

“Quimantu
Since Mauricio Venegas-Astorga formed his Anglo-Chilean band Quimantu in 1981 they have been the ambassadors of Chilean and Latin American music in the UK and Europe, creating a unique blend through their exceptional use of the hundreds of traditional folk styles of that vibrant continent, which they skilfully incorporate with contemporary influences, from Western Classical music, to Celtic, African and Indian styles to name just a few.”

Quimantú is an Anglo-Chilean ensemble formed in 1981 by Mauricio Venegas-Astorga, who arrived in the United Kingdom as a political exile during the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet in Chile. The ensemble integrates diverse folk traditions, bridging the cultures of Chile, Latin America and the Unite...

24/10/2023

Facebook does not allow pdfs, so here are four screenshots from this term's Concerts brochure - please help us to share and promote these concerts.

21/10/2023

This morning we celebrated the graduations of two of the class of 2023; hearty congratulations to Maddie and Joe and we’re so proud of you!

20/10/2023

We were treated to a wonderful concert today by our Vice-Chancellor's Music Scholars; what musical talent! It was a varied and engaging concert, and thoroughly enjoyed by our appreciative audience. Many thanks to Department accompanist Helen Reid, with Scholars Hannah, Lucas, Shayna, Nyah and Rachel - pictured left-to-right with the university's Chief Operating Officer Lucinda Parr (far right) who represented the VC (who had another engagement) and who thoroughly enjoyed the concert.

17/10/2023

Dear followers - please share (absolute deadline is 24 October but may be closed before that when they have enough people);
The Benedetti Foundation (www.benedetti foundation.org) is looking to engage a small team of pastoral staff for our Bristol Benedetti Sessions across the weekend of 4-5 November at Bristol Beacon.

The role involves looking after the young musicians while they are not in rehearsal and assisting in tasks such as set-up and pack-down of the venue, greeting the young musicians at registration, creating a supportive and welcoming environment, planning activities and engaging with the young people at break times to ensure they are settled and comfortable.

These weekends are non-residential and pastoral staff are needed on Saturday and/or Sunday from approximately 8.15am-5.15pm. There will be in the region of 350 young people over the weekend.

Dates and Venues: Sat 4 - Sun 5 November, 2023. Bristol Beacon, Trenchard Street, Bristol, BS1 5AR

Fee: Pastoral Staff will be paid £95 per day. You can select to work all weekend or only one of the days as we will require varying numbers on the different days. Travel expenses (45p per mile / standard class rail tickets) will be reimbursed.

Requirements: All pastoral staff must have an up to date Enhanced DBS (dated within the last 3 years)

To apply, please complete this form by Friday 13 October:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc4ucJkGKDngAVQfVs2iNPpAT1Nr6qwn-avIU5W8WTsBCpvHA/viewform?pli=1

Please note: we will be responding to applications as and when they are submitted, therefore, all the places may be filled by this date. We will get back to you as soon as possible.

Further information: If you'd like to find out more about what will be happening at the Sessions, please click the links below:

The Benedetti Sessions

The Story So Far

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us: [email protected]

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Thank you and best wishes,

Sophie Hooper

Administrator

All data submitted in this application form will be kept confidential. By submitting an application, you consent to your data being stored by the Benedetti Foundation (Terms available on request).

13/10/2023

Message from the organiser: “Hi, I'm running an event on the 21st Oct and would like to invite your students to perform. The event is called Asian Autumn Evening. We're looking for people who are Asian/of Asian heritage. We are also open to people who are not Asian but inspired by Asia in some way (perhaps they play a traditional Asian instrument, sing in an Asain language, or maybe they play music from anime for example)

If you'd like to know more please let me know. You can email me at [email protected]

kind regards

Nat L
Co-founder of WOW Asia

10/10/2023

This opportunity is on our doorstep and a super scheme for young singers - please share!

⭐️ Choral Scholarships 2023-24 ⭐️

Apply now!

One Equal Music is proud to launch its Choral Scholarship Programme at St Paul's Church in Clifton!

£1,200 a year. Open to students at UoB, UWE, or elsewhere.
• Weekly choral singing in the University of Bristol Church Choir
• School performances and outreach with One Equal Music
• Scholars’ concerts throughout the year
• Professional development opportunities

To find out more or apply:https://www.stpaulsclifton.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Choral-Scholarships-at-St-Pauls-Clifton-2023.pdf

Applications close at 9am on Monday 16th October 2023.

09/10/2023

Don't forget this Friday's lunchtime concert - the fantastic Jim Blomfield jazz trio:
https://www.bristol.ac.uk/arts/events/2023/october/lunchtime-concert-13-october-jim-blomfield-trio.html
All welcome and UoB students admitted free with their Card.

05/10/2023

Our wonderful Estate Assistants, Derek, Jax and Paul, sport the latest concert brochures containing details of our Autumn concerts. Copies are available from them in the Victoria Rooms; we hope to see you at our first concert on Friday 13 October at 1.15pm with the Jim Blomfield jazz trio (details to follow)!

02/10/2023

We are sorry to announce the cancellation of Friday's lunchtime concert by the Chinese contemporary and folk ensemble Con Tempo. This is due to issues processing their visas.
The concert on Friday 13 October is definitely expected to go ahead! We are very much looking forward to the Jim Blomfield jazz trio that afternoon.
As previously, we would greatly appreciate your informing anyone who would not ordinarily see these notices that Friday is cancelled - and many thanks for helping in this respect. Apologies to those who were intending to travel to hear the concert.

01/10/2023

Sunday musical humour from the wonderful Christian and Sophie at The Life of Sharks

27/09/2023

***Important: Please share***
Due to a fault with the Auditorium organ, we are sorry to postpone Paul Walton’s opening lunchtime concert this Friday. Please inform anyone you know who might not otherwise see this message. Once we have time to get the organ inspected and repaired, we hope the concert will take place later in the term and will announce it here. Thank you for your patience and our apologies for any disappointed caused and to anyone travelling to the Victoria Rooms on Friday who did not see this message.

26/09/2023

Audition results have been posted in the Octagon! Congratulations to those who succeeded and commiserations for those whom we hope will try again.
We have had impressive numbers auditioning and many thanks to all those who advertised, administered and auditioned to make all this possible.

22/09/2023

***Vocal audition vacancies this afternoon and this evening***

Please share - we have had a large number of singers auditioning for University Singers and Chamber Choir - thank you! Tomorrow's list is busy, but there are a number of vacancies this afternoon from 3pm until 8.45pm.
If you know any University of Bristol singers interested (undergrads and postgrads), please ask them to pop into the Music department's Victoria Rooms or to see the Bristol University Music Society stand at Freshers' Fair on the Downs.

Do please spread the word!

Cushion picture from:
https://www.spoonflower.com/en/fabric/12062718-tonsils-cutesy-by-ladybugsurgery

20/09/2023

Details about Madrigal Society's auditions are here - again, do encourage students to sign up and audition!

Calling all student singers in Bristol! Auditions for MADS are next week, please sign up via the link below, also findable in our Instagram bio.

MADS is a truly special choir and we would love to have you on board. The highlight of the year is a week long tour to Cornwall with various concerts throughout the week. We also have a Eucharist at Westminster Abbey this year!

docs.google.com/document/d/1z8GYEGjrPDzQozWh_HsRQyCCWpofihjoWVdGsGy18KQ/edit