Instrumental groups

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University Symphony Orchestra

  • Auditioned: Audition required
  • Conductor:  Simon Hilberding
  • Rehearsals: Tuesdays 7.00 - 9.15pm, Victoria Rooms

This is the University’s main orchestra, and it is conducted by members of Music staff. A full-size symphony orchestra, we perform ambitious repertoire from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries to a high standard. We aim to balance established masterworks, some less well-known pieces and contemporary music. Recent performances have included Rachmaninoff’s 2nd Symphony, Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra, works by Augusta Holmès, Anna Clyne and Missy Mazzoli, and Brahms’ German Requiem. Repertoire planned for this year includes music by Saint-Saëns and Holst, a premiere by Lim Kang Ning, and a massed-choirs collaboration with conductor Elinor Cooper. 

University New Music Ensemble

  • Auditioned: Audition required
  • Conductor: Michael Ellison
  • Rehearsals: Thursdays 6.00 – 8.00pm, Victoria Rooms

NME performs brand new pieces and modern works to the highest standard, bringing together leading performers from across the University to give 1-2 concerts during the year, along with contributions to events such as Bristol New Music.  In addition to standard orchestral instruments, transtraditional and contemporary instruments such as pipa, baglama, electric guitar,  saxophone  etc. are welcome to audition. (Good reading skills required) 

University Chamber Orchestra

  • Auditioned: Audition required
  • Conductor: Ryan Power
  • Rehearsals: Mondays 7.00 - 9.00pm, Victoria Rooms

Chamber Orchestra is a high-standard, student-led, auditioned ensemble, that welcomes over 50 musicians from across the university to perform a wide range of exciting and challenging repertoire. Previous programmes have included Copland's Appalachian Spring and Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 3. Each year, the orchestra presents four concerts, including our flagship performance, "An Evening with BUMS", held at St George's in collaboration with Chamber Choir. Past concerts have featured major works such as Verdi's Requiem. Students also have the opportunity to perform as soloists through our prestigious annual Concerto Competition. 

University Wind Orchestra

  • Auditioned: No
  • Conductor: Emily Holden
  • Rehearsals: Mondays 5.00 - 6.30pm, Victoria Rooms

The Wind Orchestra is one of our largest ensembles and performs pieces in a wide range of musical styles. We welcome all abilities of wind, brass, and percussion players, so come along, meet new people, explore new music and enjoy being in a friendly and social ensemble! Our wind orchestra competes in the annual South West Universities Concert Band Festival, co-founded by Bristol but now featuring 7 universities across the South West! 

University String Orchestra

  • Auditioned: No
  • Conductor: Ryan Power
  • Rehearsals: Wednesdays 5.00 - 7.00pm, Victoria Rooms

String Orchestra is a fun and exciting ensemble open to all string players without the pressures of auditions or intensive practice regimes. Violin, viola, cello, and double bass players are welcome to join as we strive to play challenging and engaging music to a high standard. Our repertoire is always varied, drawing on music of all genres. Players have the opportunity to showcase their work in 3 concerts over the year. If you want to play in a sociable and quality ensemble, join us on Wednesday evenings in the Recital Room in the Victoria Rooms! 

If you have any questions please contact the manager at: BUMSstrings@outlook.com 

University Big Band Society

Welcome to Bristol University Big Band Society! 

We have two amazing big bands which cover a full range of jazz, from classic swing to contemporary fusion, funk, and pop. As well as being in demand for formals and parties, we put on our own events throughout the year at incredible venues including The Fleece, The Canteen, and The Bristol Beacon (amongst many more)! 

The society also hold an annual summer tour which is always well received – with both bands performing to large crowds in beautiful locations across Europe. 

Visit our stand at welcome fair to have a chat, see what we’re about, and answer any of your questions! 

Find us at: 

www.bigbandsoc.co.uk - @thebristolhornstars - @bristolbigbandsoc 

Hornstars

  • Auditioned: Audition required (contact society for details)
  • Rehearsals: Friday 5.30 - 7.30pm, Richmond Building

The Bristol University Jazz Orchestra is Big Band Soc’s un-auditioned band (except for vocals and rhythm), giving everyone an opportunity to be part of an accomplished and vibrant jazz ensemble. Be sure to come along for lively rehearsals, pints, and unforgettable gigs!  

Bristol University Jazz Orchestra (BUJO)

  • Auditioned: No audition for saxes, trumpets and trombones - but rhythm section and vocalists auditioned
  • Rehearsals: Friday 5.30 - 7.30pm, Richmond Building

The Bristol University Jazz Orchestra are Big Band Soc’s un-auditioned band (except for vocals and rhythm), giving everyone an opportunity to be a part of an accomplished and vibrant jazz ensemble. Performing at events across the city, the inimitable BUJO is conducted this year by Oscar Pelly. Be sure to come along for lively rehearsals with midpoint pints and unforgettable gigs!  

Jazz Funk Soul Society

Are you itching to improvise? Thirsty for funk? Searching for soul? If yes, then we’re the society for you! We host weekly jazz, funk, and soul jams at “Mr Wolf’s”, open to all instruments and abilities, playing a range of music, from classic standards to your favourite funky pop bangers! Following each jam, a DJ takes over the stage, playing club classics deep into the night, and every other week, we also feature a 1-hour set from one of Bristol and the wider UK’s many amazing bands. Music is always from 
9pm till late!

Throughout the year, we also host interactive workshops (free for members) by some of the scene’s best singers and instrumentalists, having previously hosted big names such as jazz vocalist Victoria Klewin, or Bristol saxophonist Craig Crofton. We’ve even had Ezra Collective up on our stage before!

Come pay us a visit at the Welcome Fair if you have any more questions, or just want to have a chat with one of our committee members! 

Find us on instagram @jfsbristol for more information, and on the SU Website for free membership.

BUMS Chamber Music

  • Auditioned: No
  • Co-ordinator: Ben Gorham

BUMS Chamber Music is the perfect opportunity for any musician to get involved with music here at Bristol. We are here to help you connect with other musicians and form new chamber ensembles. From wind quintets to string octets, no matter what you play we will provide you with as much opportunity to perform chamber music as possible. Throughout the year, there will be regular chamber music concerts across Bristol open for any soloist or chamber group to perform in, including themed concerts, collaborations with the fabulous BUMS composition network and more! We also provide a private hire service in the local community, allowing BUMS members to perform in paid opportunities like conference dinners, society formals and weddings. To get involved, contact Ben via email via bumschambermusic@outlook.com or message us on instagram! @uobchambermusic 

Flute Choir

  • Auditioned: No
  • Conductor: Isla Buchanan, Tania Gardasevic 
  • Rehearsals: Fridays 5.00 - 7.00pm, Victoria Rooms

Flute Choir is an ensemble which has a focus on creating a musical community for a range of abilities. we offer the chance to try out the piccolo or alto flute, stand out as a soloist, develop your ensemble skills, or simply find time to continue your instrument in a fun and sociable environment. Our aspirational repertoire offers a variety of challenging and easier parts. Come along to our weekly rehearsals and occasional socials for a change to make music and friends! Oh, and there's biscuits! 

Symphonia

  • President: Eva Fenner-Leitao
  • Vice-President: Thomas Fagg

Bristol University Symphonia is a Gold Balloon accredited society and has been for 4 years running! 

We have two student-run orchestras: A part-auditioned Symphony Orchestra, and Philharmonic, which is the only un-auditioned full orchestra at the University. Our vibrant and talented family offers a fun and accessible musical environment.  

Besides music-making and section baking competitions, we have a busy and diverse social calendar! We enjoy engaging with our local community, through outreach events and sponsorships. 

Follow us on Instagram or Facebook (@bristolsymphonia) to keep up to date and find 

us at the Welcome Fair or email bristolsymphonia@gmail.com for more information. 

The application form can be found in our Instagram bio and our website. 

Symphonia Symphony Orchestra

  • Auditioned: part-auditioned
  • Conductor: George Owen

Symphonia Symphony Orchestra is a part-auditioned group that plays a wide variety of advanced orchestral music including late 19th century gems and modern favourites from the world of film. Last year, this included Shostakovich’s Festive Overture, Bruckner’s 9th Symphony and Grieg’s Piano Concerto, as well as John Williams’ Star Wars Suite. The orchestra is a tight-knit family of musicians, and we encourage everyone to attend our regular fun socials, including post-rehearsal wind downs. We rehearse on Thursday evenings and perform at least three concerts per year. Our esteemed annual concerto and composition competitions also offer special opportunities for individual musicians to showcase their talent. 

Symphonia Philharmonic Orchestra

  • Auditioned: No
  • Manager: Aiko Hoshiko
  • Conductor: Lucas Dick

Symphonia Philharmonic Orchestra is the University’s only completely un-auditioned orchestra.  

No matter your instrumental proficiency or orchestral experience, we welcome you to perform musical favourites, in a relaxing, fun and easy-going environment. Our repertoire includes a wide range from classical and pop to famous film, theatre and video game music. Last year, this included selections from Star Wars, Bad Piggies, Moana, Respighi’s Pines of Rome and Mahler 4. We rehearse on Tuesday evenings and perform at least three concerts a year. In addition, we have many fun socials and often collaborate with other societies, allowing our members to meet new people and make friends through music. For a relaxed opportunity to play music and make friends, we’d love to see you at Symphonia’s Philharmonic Orchestra! 

University Brass Band

  • Auditioned: No
  • Conductors: Josie Davenport
  • Rehearsals: Thursdays 7.00 - 9.00pm, Victoria Rooms

The University of Bristol Brass Band is a friendly, sociable and hardworking ensemble, welcoming brass (standard brass band instruments + trumpets) and percussion players of all standards. The band holds a number of concerts throughout the academic year, the highlight of which is competing at UniBrass in February, the annual inter-university brass band contest (in recent years we have won awards such as most entertaining band and most innovative program). The band also has regular socials after rehearsals. 

If you would like to improve your playing and musicianship in a fun and low-pressure ensemble, join Brass Band! 

Bristol University Symphonic Winds

  • Auditioned: Yes (contact society for details)
  • Conductor: Charlie Parker
  • Rehearsals: Wednesdays 5.00 - 7.00pm, Victoria Rooms

The Bristol University Symphonic Winds is the university's auditioned concert band. They perform classic and contemporary wind repertoire to an incredibly high standard, ranging from 20th Century wind suites to exciting film scores and everywhere in between. Last year this included a band favourite, Cartoon by Paul Hart, and Artie Shaw Clarinet Concerto. The ensemble currently holds a Platinum award from the National Concert Band Festival final as well as receiving the award for most varied programme. 

University Baroque Ensemble

  • Auditioned: Audition required
  • Director: Applications Open in September
  • Rehearsals: Thursdays 7.00 - 9.00 pm, Victoria Rooms 

The Baroque Ensemble is a group dedicated to sharing historically informed, high standard baroque repertoire from an exciting range of composers. Due to its smaller size and passionate members, the ensemble has a unique collaborative atmosphere, with friendly rehearsals and the opportunity for each instrument to shine during performances. Recent concerts have included Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 and selected movements from Vivaldi's Gloria in collaboration with the Bristol Madrigal Ensemble.