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 professional freelance conductor, 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 two to three weeks prior to each concert. Auditions are held at the weekend following Freshers' Week, and students can sign up for an audition slot at the Mussoc stand at Freshers' 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.

Dates for 2019/20

The Philharmonia rehearses during an intensive rehearsal periods over weekends two to three weeks prior to each concert.

Jonathan Tilbrook Conductor
Oliver Cowling Assistant Conductor
Megan Atwell & Jade Kong Arts Administration Ensemble Trainees

Autumn 2019

Saturday 30 November, 7.30pm
Albert Hall, Nottingham

Puccini Messa di Gloria
Saint-Saëns Symphony No.3 in C minor (Organ Symphony)

Spring 2020

Sunday 22 March, 7.30pm
Great Hall, Trent Building

Fauré Masques et Bergamasques, Op.112
Milhaud La Création du monde
Beethoven Symphony No.6 in F 'Pastoral'

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.

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 with the University Choir and receive one-to-one mentoring from the University Choir Director.

Dates for 2019/20

The Choir rehearses weekly on Tuesday evenings 6.30-8.45pm during term-time in the Djanogly Rehearsal Hall starting on Tuesday 1 October.

Calum Fraser Choir Director
Zoe Nendick & Marina Serdar Assistant Conductors
Rob Challinor Repetiteur
Jessica Clarke & Ellie Holloway Arts Administration Ensemble Trainees

Autumn 2019

Saturday 30 November, 7.30pm
Albert Hall, Nottingham

Puccini Messa di Gloria
Saint-Saëns Symphony No.3 in C minor (Organ Symphony)

Spring 2020

Saturday 28 March, 7.30pm
Djanogly Recital Hall

Chamber Choir a cappella repertoire first half of concert
Will Todd Mass in Blue

UNIVERSITY CHAMBER CHOIR

University Chamber Choir is an auditioned choir directed by professional conductor, Calum Fraser. 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 Chamber Choir rehearses weekly on Tuesdays 5-6.15pm during term-time in the Djanogly Rehearsal Hall, starting Tuesday 8 October. Chamber Choir singers are also required to sing in University Choir.

Auditions are held early in the autumn term and students can sign up for an audition slot at the Mussoc stand at Freshers' Fair.

Dates for 2019/20

The Chamber Choir rehearses weekly on Tuesdays 5-6.15pm during term-time.

Calum Fraser Conductor
Odila Schroeder & Scarlett Taylor Assistant Conductors
Rob Challinor Repetiteur

Autumn 2019

Friday 22 November, 5.30pm    
Djanogly Recital Hall, University of Nottingham

Howard Skempton Poems of Love and War – commissioned for UoN Chamber Choir
Esenvalds Amazing Grace
Vasks Pater Noster
Stravinsky Pater Noster
Stravinsky Ave Maria
Nielsen Der er yndigt land (A Fair and Lovely Land)
Sibelius We Rest on Thee
Sibelius Rakastava (1898 version)

Saturday 30 November, 7.30pm
Albert Hall, Nottingham

Puccini Messa di Gloria
Saint-Saëns Symphony No.3 in C minor (Organ Symphony)

Spring 2020

Saturday 28 March, 7.30pm
Djanogly Recital Hall, University of Nottingham

Tippett Five Negro Spirituals from a Child of our Time
Whitacre Lux aurumque
Swingle Give us this Day
Berlin arr. Emerson Blue Skies
Whitacre Sleep
Will Todd Mass in Blue – University Choir

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 Arts Administrator, Lucy Theobald: lucy.theobald@nottingham.ac.uk