Choral and vocal groups

The University Church Choir is a friendly, non-auditioned group based at St. Paul’s Church, Clifton (behind the Victoria Rooms). We sing a range of Anglican choral music to a high standard. We usually sing each week for the Sunday morning service, and Choral Evensong twice a term. Other highlights include our Advent/Christmas carol services, Choral Evensong at Bristol Cathedral, Allegri’s Miserere on Ash Wednesday and a summer concert. Every summer we have a cathedral tour, spending a week singing the services in a UK Cathedral. We have a high turnover of music with an ever-expanding repertoire. We also regularly premiere new music by Bristol composers. We have an active social programme and are always ready to welcome new faces.  

FIND US AT WELCOME FAIR OR EMAIL uobchurchchoir@gmail.com  

Bristol University Madrigal Ensemble, affectionately known as MADS, is a 16-strong choir of auditioned singers from the University of Bristol, who perform unaccompanied part-song from across the ages, from Renaissance madrigals and polyphonic Masses to contemporary art song and jazz arrangements. Many members of the choir also perform with prestigious groups such as The National Youth Choir of Great Britain, Bristol Cathedral Choir and Clifton Cathedral Choir among many others. The choir sings all over the South West and London, as well as an annual tour to Cornwall. 

For any questions, contact Lillie Preston, president at bristolume@gmail.com 

Minerva Choir

• Auditioned: No
• Conductor: Reuben West
• Rehearsals: Thursdays 5.00 - 7:00pm, St Paul's Church

As University of Bristol A Cappella Society's non-competitive, mixed, unauditioned group, Bristones is known for their chill, undemanding rehearsal style that welcomes people of all abilities, experiences and voice parts are welcomed. 

As the largest group in the society, Bristones rehearses for 2 hours on a weekly basis, allowing you to meet new friends while singing your hearts out. It is the perfect way to get a taster of A Cappella Society! Our main committees will also be regularly attending rehearsals to welcome new members and helping them adapt to the society's environment. 

Although non-competitive, the group gets equal opportunities to perform as they participate in the non-comp concerts held by the society. In other words, you can sing loads of super fun arrangements with a bunch of fantastic people with no pressure! 

If you would like to join and want to know more about the group, reach out to us @UoBAcapplla or @Bristones. Whether you're just a beginner, shower singer, or an Aca-veteran, don't hesitate and come along! 

Top Note is an unauditioned group for the upper voice parts; we welcome everyone who can sing Sopranos and Alto parts – if you can hit those top notes then come along! We sing anything and everything as long as it’s upbeat from Rihanna to musicals! Our MD team is bringing new energy to Top Note this year with a chill yet exciting energy. No previous experience is required and you do not need to be able to read music as teach tracks are provided and other people are always around to help. We are the first unauditioned UoB group to release a video – check it out on our youtube! 

As University of Bristol A Cappella Society's non-competitive, higher-voice, unauditioned group, Top Note is known for their ability to reach their top form and hit their top note (see what we did there?). 

Top note rehearses for 2 hours on a weekly basis, similar to other unauditioned groups. Nonetheless they boast a tightly knitted community, hosting regular night outs, drink and game nights and karaoke socials during term time. The group also wear their trademarked bandanas during their performances, making them easily recognisable and iconic members of the A Cappella Society whether on and off stage. Speaking of which, they are the first unauditioned group to release their performance on YouTube.

Although non-competitive, the group gets equal opportunities to perform as they participate in the non-comp concerts held by the society. In other words, you can sing loads of super fun arrangements with a bunch of fantastic people with no pressure! 

If you would like to join and want to know more about the group, reach out to us @UoBAcapplla or @TopNote and start your A Cappella era with us! 

As University of Bristol A Cappella Society's mixed, auditioned, competitive group, Throughout their existence, the Bristol Suspensions has become a hit with audiences across the country, and is known for their unique arrangements, stunning vocals, and high-energy performances. The group sings a variety of music, from pop to jazz to techno – you name it, they’ve sung it! 

As one of the longer standing groups in the Society, the group has debut over 2 decades ago, releasing multiple Albums over the years. Their successful Album, Red Hot, was released in 2021 and was nominated for 10 CARAs (Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards), and won four, including ‘Best Mixed Voices Collegiate Album’. 

Suspensions has also performed at various gigs and competitions, including LUKAS, Best of South West (BOSW) and Irish International A Cappella Festival and many more. The group has a glourious history, being crowned champions in multiple occasions: Voice Festival University in 2016, Irish International A Cappella Festival in 2019, Solevoci International A Cappella Contest Champions in 2024. Being a regular contestant in the ICCAs, the group was UK champions in 2021 and receiving awards for Outstanding Arrangement, Choreography and Vocal Percussion. Following the win, we secured interviews on local TV stations as well as an appearance on ITV’s This Morning. In 2025, the group was awarded the best arrangement in the 2025 ICCAs with Recordplayer by AJR and Daisy the Great. 

Suspensions also busk on the streets of Bristol every week, and performs in the Edinbrugh Fringe Festival every August. The group has achieved massive success in their Fringe performances, having sold out in both 2022 and 2023. 

As a competitive and auditioned group, Suspensions is always looking for strong singers of all voice parts, including beatboxers. If you're interested in joining, please follow @UoBAcapplla or @Bristolsuspensions for more information regarding their auditions. Please note that the ability to read music is not a requirement for joining the group. So don't hesitate to sign up! 

Please note that being a member of a competitive group is a big commitment – there are rehearsals, weekend trips, video shoots, and studio recordings. Members are expected to learn music outside of rehearsals. That being said, it is an incredibly fun and rewarding experience to have, and an amazing way to enhance your time at university. 

As University of Bristol A Cappella Society's male and non-binary, auditioned, competitive group, Academy is known for their high-energy performances, camp, chaos and killer vocals - all at once. 

In 2020, Academy has recorded and released their CARA-winning debut album, Exhibit A; their 2023 album, Ad Astra, has seen them partnering with Better Together: a Mental Health Fundraiser, has also raised over £2000 for MIND. As for their most recent release, Blue Shift, is also out on all streaming platforms! Featuring classics such as Waterloo, Under Pressure, and Lay Me Down. 

Academy has also performed at various gigs, including Vocal Jam, the ICCA’s and LUKAS, which took place in Bristol and across the country! Of course, the group also performed at a number of society events including our collaborative charity concert with the Men’s Rugby society (which raised over £1,000!), and the Best Of the South West (BOSW) where we got to see many incredible A Cappella groups from unis all around the southwest perform! 

As a competitive and auditioned group, Academy is always looking for strong singers of all voice parts, including beatboxers. If you're interested in joining, please follow @UoBAcapplla or @Academy for more information regarding their auditions. Please note that the ability to read music is not a requirement for joining the group. So don't hesitate to sign up! 

Please note that being a member of a competitive group is a big commitment – there are rehearsals, weekend trips, video shoots, and studio recordings. Members are expected to learn music outside of rehearsals. That being said, it is an incredibly fun and rewarding experience to have, and an amazing way to enhance your time at university.

As University of Bristol A Cappella Society's female and non-binary, auditioned, competitive group, Pitch Fight is known for their choreography, vocals, and arrangements. 

In 2020, Pitch Fight has recorded and released their debut album, Purple Reign, featuring songs such as Fire, E.T., and Back to Black. As for their most recent single release, It's a Man's Man's Man's World, is also out on all streaming platforms! 

Pitch Fight has also performed at various gigs, including Clicendales, Best of South West (BOSW) and LUKAS. The group also came third in ICCAs 2021 (yes the competition in Pitch Perfect), while winning best choreography and best arrangement simultaneously. The group has also participated in multiple charity performances, such as the performing in the local elderly home - Catherine's House, and occasional busking in Bristol. 

Alongside our sister group Academy, the group made their triumphant return to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival (after a couple of years off thanks to covid), with our show “the Aca-prentice”, followed by our 5 star, sold out show - “Aca-Villa: The Love Island Musical” with our upcoming production this summers of “Pirates of the Acarribean”, taking place at the Edinburgh Fringe 2025! 

As a competitive and auditioned group, Pitch Fight is always looking for strong singers of all voice parts, including beatboxers. If you're interested in joining, please follow @UoBAcapplla or @PitchFight for more information regarding their auditions. Please note that the ability to read music is not a requirement for joining the group. So don't hesitate to sign up! 

Please note that being a member of a competitive group is a big commitment – there are rehearsals, weekend trips, video shoots, and studio recordings. Members are expected to learn music outside of rehearsals. That being said, it is an incredibly fun and rewarding experience to have, and an amazing way to enhance your time at university.

As University of Bristol A Cappella Society's non-competitive, mixed, unauditioned group, Bristones is known for their chill, undemanding rehearsal style that welcomes people of all abilities, experiences and voice parts are welcomed. 

As the largest group in the society, Bristones rehearses for 2 hours on a weekly basis, allowing you to meet new friends while singing your hearts out. It is the perfect way to get a taster of A Cappella Society! Our main committees will also be regularly attending rehearsals to welcome new members and helping them adapt to the society's environment. 

Although non-competitive, the group gets equal opportunities to perform as they participate in the non-comp concerts held by the society. In other words, you can sing loads of super fun arrangements with a bunch of fantastic people with no pressure! 

If you would like to join and want to know more about the group, reach out to us @UoBAcapplla or @Bristones. Whether you're just a beginner, shower singer, or an Aca-veteran, don't hesitate and come along!