Department of Music

Information for musicians from other departments

Information for Performers

Musical opportunities

If you are an instrumentalist or a singer you will probably find a musical group to suit you at Bristol, whatever your level of experience.

Between them, the Music Department and the Bristol University Music Society (BUMS) supports a range of ensembles, from excellent Symphony and Chamber Orchestras, to highly accomplished chamber choirs, New Music Ensemble, Baroque Ensemble, Big Band...and much else. Entry to these is by audition and your one chance to do this is in Introductory week at the beginning of each academic year.

For more information, look at our 'Calling All Musicians' document and, if you join an ensemble, full details are available in the 'University Music Making' pages of our site.

If you do not wish to audition, or if we are unable to find an auditioned ensemble for you to play in, do not despair: String Orchestra, Wind Orchestra and Choral Society are all available for you to join at the start of the academic year.

Practice facilities with pianos for non-Music students:

  1. most Halls of Residence have pianos available for use.
  2. pianos are available in the Students Union - ask at the Union and/or Bristol University Music Society for details of these. You can find the BUMS stall at FRESH on Thursday or Friday in Introductory Week.
  3. if you wish to do a lot of practice on a good piano, consider joining the Bristol Music Club which is in St Pauls Road (near the Union).
  4. unfortunately, due to level of demand the practice rooms in the Music Department or only available for use by Music students.
    The only exceptions to this are:
    1. If you need to practise WITH a Music student for some reason (eg if you are accompanying them), you may come in with them and sign in at reception when you arrive and when you leave.
    2. If you store a large instrument in this building (eg harp, double bass, cello), you may practise here, but please let Margaret Peirson in the Music Department Office know if you plan to do this so that she can inform the porters.
    3. From time to time permission may be given to non-Music students to practise here for a particular reason. Please ask Margaret Peirson if you wish to seek permission.

Looking for an instrumental/singing teacher?

The Music Society will provide information on teachers. Bristol Central Library on College Green also has lists of instrumental and singing teachers.

Storage of instruments

Storage space is limited at the Victoria Rooms, so unfortunately we are unlikely to be able to help with storage of instruments. However, if you have a large instrument (eg. harp or double bass), we will do our best to help. If you have any queries, please contact the music admin staff.

Availability of sheet music

The main sources of sheet music are the University Arts and Social Sciences Library in Tyndall Avenue and Bristol Central Library on College Green.

Meanwhile, if you have not seen a copy, do read the leaflet called “Calling All Musicians” which tells you about all the orchestras and choirs and the auditions - and do come along to our Concert Series (FREE ADMISSION to every Wednesday lunchtime concert) - brochures available in Music Department.