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 would like to audition to be a part of the Philharmonia orchestra in the spring term please email Florence.Avis@nottingham.ac.uk.

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.

Dates for 2021/22

Spring Term

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

University Philharmonia & Choir
Jonathan Tilbrook & Calum Fraser Conductors

Poulenc Gloria 
Stravinsky Firebird Suite 

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.

If you are interested in joining the University Choir then please email Florence.Avis@nottingham.ac.uk.

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.

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.

Spring Term

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

Poulenc Gloria 
[Stravinsky Firebird Suite]

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.

During the COVID-19 lockdown, the University of Nottingham Chamber Choir created a 'Virtual Choir' project. Discover how the University Chamber Choir 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.

Spring term

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

Chamber Choir

Plainchant 
Sanders (1933-2003) - Reproaches (10 mins) 
Plainchant 
Gibbons (1583-1625) - Drop, drop slow tears (2 mins) 
Farrant (1525-1580) - Lord, for thy tender mercy’s sake (2 mins) 
Stainer (1840-1901) - God so loved the world (3 mins) 
Plainchant 
Taverner (1490-1544) - Benedictus, from ‘Missa Gloria Tibi Trinitas’ (4 mins) 
Victoria (1548-1611) - O vos omnes, from Tenebrae responsories (3 mins) 
Byrd (1543-1623) - Ave verum corpus (4 mins) 
Plainchant 
Allegri (1582-1652) - Miserere (omitting verses 7-18) (6 mins) 
Plainchant

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 (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