Participation in university and department music

All Music Undergraduates are expected to participate in University and Department Music in accordance with the following guidelines:

1. Year 1: At least TWO approved Orchestras/Choirs plus other ensembles as required by course options.
   Years 2 & 3:
   1. Those taking Performance as a course option - as for Year 1
   2. Others - at least ONE approved Orchestra/Choir plus other occasional ensembles as required by course options.
2. Participation is based on the results of Auditions. The choice of ensemble(s) is subject to approval by the Year Tutor who will advise students where necessary and monitor attendance via the conductors.
3. All Year 1 Students are required to audition on their main instrument(s) (including piano and other "non-orchestral" instruments such as guitar). All other Music Students are required to audition as necessary for their approved Orchestras/Choirs/Ensembles.
4. Wherever possible, Music Students should participate in auditioned ensembles (Symphony Orchestra, Singers, Chamber Orchestra, Chamber Choir, Schola Cantorum).
5. Auditions will take place in the Music Department during the Introductory Week (week beginning 2 October 2006). All Students must confirm their membership of Orchestras/Choirs with Year Tutors by the end of Week 1 (by 13 October 2006).
6. In cases where students are unable to fulfil the above requirements for whatever reasons, they should make other arrangements (after discussion with their Year Tutor) to contribute to Department and University Music as Orchestral or Choral Managers/Librarians or in some other appropriate capacity (e.g. accompanist).
7. Joint Degree Students taking Performance are expected to fulfil the same requirements as Single Honours Students, subject to the approval of their tutors in both Departments. Joint Degree Students not taking Performance are required to participate in ONE approved Orchestra or Choir.
8. Satisfactory participation in University and Department Music in accordance with the above guidelines is a course-requirement for Music Students. However, these are minimum requirements and students may contribute to other activities, subject to the approval of Year Tutors (who must be informed of all additional musical activities undertaken) and bearing in mind existing commitments and pressure of work. All music students are expected to take part in the annual concert given in March by the Choral Society and Symphony Orchestra.
9. All Music Students are also expected to attend the series of Wednesday Lunch Hour Recitals organised by the Department. As well as enriching knowledge and experience of standard repertoires, these free concerts provide opportunities to hear a wide range of music. For students taking Performance units, the concerts are invaluable opportunities to observe the presentation of varied programmes by distinguished soloists or ensembles (often at the start of their performing careers) and, of course, to participate in University groups or (occasionally) as soloists.
10. The current Licensing Laws require that all Lunch Hour and Evenings Concerts are properly stewarded in accordance with public safety considerations. All Music Students are expected to contribute to the presentation of concerts in this way, thereby gaining invaluable administrative skills relevant to a career in music. Please respond positively to requests to act as stewards and/or to help in other ways in the organisation of concerts at the Victoria Rooms.
11. Music Students are strongly encouraged to attend the occasional evening concerts which the Department organises at the Victoria Rooms. Most of these are given by University groups, in which case many music students will be taking part as performers, but several are professional concerts and provide excellent opportunities to experience performances of the highest calibre at concessionary rates. As with the Lunch Hour series, stewards are required. Admission is free for those assisting in this capacity.

Students play a leading part in the organisation of University Concerts through membership of BUMS (Bristol University Music Society) which elects its own Committee and through the University Music Planning Board which meets three times a year to approve and review the arrangements for the University Concert programme. All Orchestras and Choirs are represented as are the Opera Society, the University Church and BUMS. The Music Planning Board reviews the arrangements for Orchestral and Choral auditions and discusses the procedures for selecting student conductors. Students are represented on audition panels whenever possible. The Music Planning Board also produces a handbook for conductors to University Orchestras and Choirs. Copies are available from Ruth Hill (ruth.hill@bris.ac.uk).

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