Ensembles
Whatever subject you may be studying, and whatever your musical tastes, you will discover an enormous range of inspiring musical opportunities and activities for all students at Surrey.
Orchestras
University of Surrey Orchestra
We are home to a successful and talented symphony orchestra formed from students, staff and members of the local community, and led by our Director of Conducting Russell Keable. The University of Surrey Orchestra gives three major concerts each year, either on campus or in external venues such as Holy Trinity Church in the centre of Guildford. Members of the orchestra will have the opportunity to work on a wide range of classical music (including film and TV scores). Over past years this has include ballets by Stravinsky, Tchaikovsky and Massenet; film scores by Danny Elfman and John Williams; and symphonies by Beethoven, Brahms, Dvorak, Sibelius, and Shostakovich. The orchestra is a friendly and welcoming group that meets most Monday evenings (from 7pm to 9pm) during semester; occasional social events also provide an opportunity for all members to meet outside of rehearsals.
Auditions are held at the start of the academic year for students from all programmes; joining the orchestra during the course of the year is also possible (please contact r.keable@surrey.ac.uk). Players are generally expected to have reached Grade 7 or above on their instrument.
Orchestra Day
In Autumn and Spring, we run ‘Orchestra Day’ where the University Orchestra invites local musicians and the general public to campus to join students in rehearsing a piece of music in just one day and giving an informal performance at the end. Past repertoire has included Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring, a programme of Bernstein classics, Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet, film and TV music including The Thunderbirds March and the Star Wars theme, and Vaughan Williams’s A London Symphony.
University String Orchestra
It doesn’t matter what subject you study at Surrey; the Surrey String Orchestra is open to everyone who plays a string instrument, and requires no audition. We pride ourselves on our social ethos and a broad repertoire, primarily performing in music department ensemble concerts, recording sessions and concerts in Guildford.
In the past we have performed film scores, arrangements and pop songs in addition to the standard classical repertoire. We work closely with student conductors, soloists and composers, offering a platform for new compositions to be performed.
Rehearsals are on Thursday evenings between 6 and 8pm in Teaching Block.
Choirs
University Choir
The University Choir, led by Amy Kearsley, is a lively and fun choir open to all University students and staff from all subjects. A basic level of sight-reading, an ability to hold a tune and general enthusiasm is all we ask for! No audition is required. We rehearse every Wednesday evening from 7:30pm to 9pm in PATS building, and perform several times a year at Holy Trinity Church and other venues. We have performed with the University Orchestra on a range of challenging works including Brahms’s Ein Deutsches Requiem, Orff’s Carmina Burana, Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, and choruses from Handel’s Messiahand Vivaldi’s Gloria. This year we are preparing two concerts with orchestra plus some choir only items (December and March/April).
University Chamber Choir
The University Chamber Choir, conducted by Amy Kearsley, is open to all students via a short, friendly audition. We rehearse every Wedesday evenings during semester (including January assessment period, and following the Spring vacation), 5:30-7pm. The expectation is that Chamber Choir singers will stay on to University Choir to help them out as well, and rehearses on the same evening. The chamber choir performs challenging repertoire, mainly unaccompanied and often contemporary, including soloists. The group performs at a wide range of events throughout the year, both on and off campus, including the highly regarded University Carol Service at Guildford Cathedral.
Societies
University of Surrey Big Band
University of Surrey Big Band Big Band are Surrey’s award-winning premier jazz ensemble. They are a professional calibre 21-piece big band comprising saxes, trombones, trumpets, rhythm and two vocalists. The varied repertoire includes a diverse range of genres such as swing, Latin, samba and funk, making live shows hugely atmospheric and entertaining.
They audition for members annually to form a first-class band of students from various programmes and schools which rehearses weekly on Tuesday evenings to prepare for functions taking place both within Surrey and externally. They participate in competitions, perform at sell-out headline gigs and hold an exciting annual tour. Members benefit from regular social events to which friends of the band are always welcome.
University Jazz Orchestra
The University Jazz Orchestra is an open and welcoming student-led group playing all types of jazz music in a relaxed setting from Sing! Sing! Sing! to Chameleon and Reptile. They are always open to song suggestions as well as student compositions and arrangements. Rehearsals are held on Thursday evenings from 7pm to 9pm, with a break halfway through so that you have plenty of time to mingle with the rest of the band. No audition is required; just come along!
University of Surrey Concert Band
The University of Surrey Concert Band is a great way for keen musicians to perform as part of a wind ensemble. We are open to anyone who plays a woodwind or brass instrument as well as percussionists who want to play a variety of pieces including film and musical medleys. Our aim is to perform in multiple concerts throughout the year.
We do not hold auditions and our memberships are free so please just come along and get involved.
Our rehearsals are every Tuesday in 02 DK 02 from 6:30pm-8:30pm.
Musical Theatre Society
The USSU Musical Theatre Society is a chance to express your love of performing no matter your experience level. We perform two showcases per year- one in the autumn and one in the summer and we do a main show with costumes, lights and an entire live band in early March. This year, our main show is Footloose! Our regular rehearsal times are Monday and Thursday from 6-10pm with occasional Sunday rehearsals in the lead up to showcases and the main show.
We welcome all abilities because at the end of the day, we’re all there to have a good time which is reflected in how well our members get along. By holding regular socials outside of rehearsal time, we nurture these friendships and create a space where people feel included no matter what.
Please reach out to us on Instagram or email if you’re interested in joining!
Instagram: @ussu_mtsoc
Email: ussu.musicaltheatre@surrey.ac.uk
Student ensembles
Music at Surrey is especially vibrant and students often form their own ensembles: pop and rock bands, jazz ensembles, string quartets, woodwind and brass groups, barbershop quartets and even small orchestras! We offer a range of possibilities for performances throughout the year both on and off campus, including our weekly lunchtime recital series held in PATS Studio 1 on Wednesdays from 1:10-2pm and our Ensembles Concert every semester.
Plus many, many more!
‘The Lady is a Tramp’ by Frank Sinatra, performed by the University of Surrey Big Band, with Alex and Jacob on lead vocals. Filmed and produced by Tonmeister students.
Find your society
Experience everything we have to offer in an environment suitable for all, regardless if you're an established performer or somebody who is stepping onto centre-stage for the first time.
