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.

Auditions will be held on the weekend following the Welcome Weeks and students can sign up for an audition slot at the Mussoc stand at the Welcome Fair.

Auditions are held at the end of spring term for students who would like the opportunity to be assistant conductor, and are advertised on the Lakeside noticeboard in the Music Department.

Students interested in playing in a University orchestra are encouraged to attend the 'come and play' rehearsal conducted by Jonathan Tilbrook on Friday 24 September, 2-5pm in the Rehearsal Hall, Department of Music.

Dates for 2021/22

Autumn Term

Jonathan Tilbrook Conductor
Ella Townsend Assistant Conductor
TBC Arts Administration Ensemble Trainees

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

Saturday 27 November 7.30pm
Great Hall, University Park campus

Repertoire TBC

Friday 12 November 7-10pm
Saturday 13 November 10-1pm & 2-5pm
Sunday 14 November 2-5pm
Friday 19 November 7-10pm
Saturday 20 November 10-1pm & 2-5pm
Sunday 21 November 2-5pm
Friday 26 November 7-10pm 

Great Hall
Saturday 27 November
2-5pm Rehearsal
7.30pm Concert

Spring Term

Saturday 26 March, 7.30pm
St Mary’s Church, High Pavement, Nottingham

University Philharmonia, University Choir & Chamber Choir
Jonathan Tilbrook & Calum Fraser Conductors

Repertoire tbc

Friday 11 March 7-10pm
Saturday 12 March 10-1pm & 2-5pm
Sunday 13 March 2-5pm
Friday 18 March 7-10pm
Saturday 19 March 10-1pm & 2-5pm
Sunday 20 March 2-5pm
Tuesday 22 March 7-10pm Rehearsal (with Choir)
Friday 25 March 7-10pm

St Mary’s Church
Saturday 26 March
2-5pm Rehearsal
7.30pm Concert

Instrumental Conducting Auditions tbc

UNIVERSITY CHOIR

The University Choir is the largest choir on campus. Membership of 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.

Auditions are held annually at the end of spring term for students who would like the opportunity to be assistant conductor or assistant repetiteur with the University Choir and receive one-to-one mentoring from the University Choir Director.

Students interested in singing in University Choir are encouraged to attend the 'come and sing' rehearsal conducted by Calum Fraser on Tuesday 28 September, 6.30-8.45pm in the Rehearsal Hall, Department of Music. This is an opportunity to play Tchaikovsky Symphony No.5 conducted by professional conductor Jonathan Tilbrook. Bring your instrument and find out what it's like to play in an orchestra at the University.

Dates for 2021/22

Calum Fraser  Choir Director 
Sam Grimes Assistant Conductor 
Rob Challinor  Repetiteur 
TBC  Arts Administration Ensemble Trainees 

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

Autumn Term

Saturday 4 December, 7.30pm 
Great Hall, Trent Building, University Park campus
University Choir & University  Chamber Choir

University Choir Repertoire:
Handel Zadok the Priest
Whitacre When David Heard
Bernstein Chichester Psalms

Tuesday  28 September  6.30-8.45pm – ‘Come and Sing’
Tuesday 5  October 6.30-8.45pm
Tuesday 12  October 6.30-8.45pm
Tuesday 19  October 6.30-8.45pm
Tuesday 26  October 6.30-8.45pm
Tuesday 2  November 6.30-8.45pm
Tuesday 9  November 6.30-8.45pm
Tuesday 16  November 6.30-8.45pm
Tuesday 23  November 6.30-8.45pm
Tuesday 30  November 6.30-8.45pm

Great Hall
Saturday 4 December
2-5pm Rehearsal
7.30pm Concert  

Spring Term

Saturday 26  March, 7.30pm 
St Mary’s Church, High Pavement, Nottingham 
University Choir, Chamber Choir  & University  Philharmonia
 Calum Fraser & Jonathan Tilbrook  Conductors 

Repertoire tbc

Tuesday 25  January 6.30-8.45pm
Tuesday 1  February 6.30-8.45pm
Tuesday  8  February 6.30-8.45pm
Tuesday  15  February 6.30-8.45pm
Tuesday  22  February 6.30-8.45pm
Tuesday 1 March 6.30-8.45pm
Tuesday 8 March 6.30-8.45pm
Tuesday 15 March 6.30-8.45pm
Tuesday 22  March 6.30pm warm up, 7-10pm Rehearsal (with Philharmonia)

St Mary’s Church
Saturday 26 March
1:30pm warm up
2-5pm Rehearsal
7.30pm Concert

Tuesday 29  March 6.30-8.45pm Choral Conducting Auditions  tbc

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.

The University of Nottingham Chamber Choir have been working on a new 'Virtual Choir' project. Discover how the University Chamber Choir have adapted to lockdown to bring rehearsals online and to sing in experimental new ways. Hear from those involved and enjoy listening to their final performance of O nata lux  by Thomas Tallis.

VIRTUAL CHOIR PROJECT

Dates for 2021/22

Calum Fraser Choir Director 
Sam Grimes Assistant Conductor
Rob Challinor Repetiteur

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

Autumn term

Saturday 4 December 7.30pm
Great Hall, Trent Building, University Park campus
University Chamber Choir & University Choir

University Chamber Choir Repertoire:
Tippett Five Negro spirituals
MacMillan The Gallant Weaver
Whitacre Sleep
Gjeilo Northern Lights
Britten Gloriana Dances

Tuesday 5 October 5-6.15pm
Tuesday 12 October 5-6.15pm
Tuesday 19 October 5-6.15pm
Tuesday 26 October 5-6.15pm
Tuesday 2 November 5-6.15pm
Tuesday 9 November 5-6.15pm
Tuesday 16 November 5-6.15pm
Tuesday 23 November 5-6.15pm
Tuesday 30 November 5-6.15pm

Great Hall
Saturday 4 December
2-5pm Rehearsal
7.30pm Concert

Spring term

Saturday 26March, 7.30pm
St Mary’s Church, High Pavement, Nottingham

University Choir, Chamber Choir & University Philharmonia
Calum Fraser & Jonathan Tilbrook Conductors

Repertoire tbc

Tuesday 25January 6.30-8.45pm
Tuesday 1 February 6.30-8.45pm
Tuesday 8 February 6.30-8.45pm
Tuesday 15 February 6.30-8.45pm
Tuesday 22 February 6.30-8.45pm
Tuesday 1 March 6.30-8.45pm
Tuesday 8 March 6.30-8.45pm
Tuesday 15 March 6.30-8.45pm
Tuesday 22 March 6.30pm warm up, 7-10pm (with Philharmonia)

St Mary’s Church
Saturday 26 March
1.30pm Warm-up
2-5pm Rehearsal
7.30pm Concert

Tuesday 29 March 6.30-8.45pm

Choral Conducting Auditions tbc​

SOLO OPPORTUNITIES

Auditions are held in February for University of Nottingham students who would like the opportunity to perform a solo work (a concerto, concert aria, song cycle) with one of the large ensembles: University Philharmonia, University Choir, University Wind Orchestra, or University Sinfonia.

For more information please contact Lakeside's Head of Music Programmes, Catherine Hocking: catherine.hocking@nottingham.ac.uk