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 Autumn 2023 here, you will need to select the correct option below to book your space. 

SIGN UP TO PERFORM IN THE PHILHARMONIA

Autumn concert:
University Choir & Philharmonia | Saturday 25 November 2023, 7.30pm | Albert Hall, Nottingham

Click below for repertoire and rehearsal schedule.

Dates for 2023

Jonathan Tilbrook Conductor
Paul Emmett and Samuel Davis Assistant Conductors
Alex Paszkowicz & 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 25 November 7.30pm 
Albert Hall, Nottingham
University Choir & University Philharmonia

Jonathan Tilbrook Conductor

Felix Mendelssohn Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage
3[1.2.pic] 2 2 3[1.2.cbn] – 2 3 0 1[serp] – tmp – str
Benjamin Britten Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes
2[1/pic2.2/pic1] 2 2[1.2/Ebcl] 3[1.2cbn] – 4 3 3 1 – tmp+2 – hp - str
Vaughan Williams A Sea Symphony
3[1.2.3/pic] 3[1.2.Eh] 4[1.2.Ebcl.bcl] – 4 3 3 1 – tmp+4 – 2hp – org – str

Saturday 28 October, 10am-1pm & 2pm-5pm
Friday 10 November, 7pm-10pm
Saturday 11 November 10am-1pm & 2pm-5pm Sunday 12 November 2pm-5pm
Friday 17 November 7pm-10pm
Saturday 18 November 10am-1pm & 2pm-5pm
Tuesday 21 November 7pm-10pm (with University Choir)
Friday 24 November 7pm-10pm

Albert Hall
Saturday 25 November, 2pm-5pm Rehearsal

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 & 2pm-5pm Sunday 11 February 2pm-5pm
Friday 16 February 7pm-10pm
Saturday 17 February 10am-1pm & 2pm-5pm
[Sunday 18 February 2-5pm]
Friday 23 February 7pm-10pm
Saturday 24 February – Albert Hall
2-5pm General rehearsal
7.30pm Concert

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 Autumn 2023 here, select the correct option to book your space.

SIGN UP TO PERFORM IN THE CHOIR

Autumn concert:
University Choir & Philharmonia | Saturday 25 November 2023, 7.30pm | Albert Hall, Nottingham

Click below for repertoire and rehearsal schedule.

Dates for 2023

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.

Autumn Term Concert
Saturday 25 November 7.30pm
Albert Hall, Nottingham
University Choir & University Philharmonia
 

Anita Watson Soprano
Felix Kemp Baritone
Jonathan Tilbrook Conductor

Felix Mendelssohn Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage
Benjamin Britten Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes
Vaughan Williams A Sea Symphony

Tuesday 3 October 6.30pm-8.45pm (rehearsal doubling as ‘come and sing’)
Tuesday 10 October 6.30pm-8.45pm
Tuesday 17 October 6.30pm-8.45pm
Tuesday 24 October 6.30pm-8.45pm
Saturday 28 October 11.30-1.30pm & 2:30pm-5pm
Tuesday 31 October 6:30pm-8:45pm
Tuesday 7 November 6.30pm-8.45pm
Tuesday 14 November 6.30pm-8.45pm
Tuesday 21 November 6.45pm-10pm – with University Philharmonia

Saturday 25 November Albert Hall
2pm-5pm Rehearsal (rehearsal order: Vaughan Williams, Britten, Mendelssohn) 7.30pm Concert

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 Autumn 2023 here, you will need to select the correct option below to book your space. 

SIGN UP TO PERFORM IN THE CHAMBER CHOIR

Autumn concert:
University Chamber Choir | Friday 17 November 2023, 5.30pm | Djanogly Recital Hall

Click below for repertoire and rehearsal schedule.

Dates for 2023

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

Autumn Term
Friday 17 November, 5.30pm
Djanogly Recital Hall
All rehearsals take place in the Rehearsal Hall, Department of Music unless noted otherwise below.

Repertoire Celtic TBC Auditions – Saturday 7 October, 10am-5pm
Tuesday 10 October 5pm-6.15pm
Tuesday 17 October 5pm-6.15pm
Tuesday 24 October 5pm-6.15pm
Saturday 28 October 9:30am-11am Tuesday 31 October 5pm-6:15pm
Tuesday 7 November 5pm-6.15pm
Tuesday 14 November 5pm-6.15pm
Friday 17 November – rehearsal in the afternoon time tbc Recital Hall
Concert 5.30-6.15pm

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