Calling all Musicians
This page gives you some idea of the range and vitality of our musical life, starting with the ensembles run by the student Music Society and moving on to those led by our experienced Music staff.
You’ll find a brief description of the ensemble followed by details of membership, rehearsals, and contact details.
Where auditions are involved, you will find details at the end of the page.
Canterbury Christ Church University Music Society
Every year the CCCUMS runs a number of ensembles and you are warmly invited to join. Here are those that we hope to run in the 2021-22 academic year.
Note that membership of the Student Union Music Society (£20) is mandatory for all members of Music Society ensembles.
Some ensembles are open to anyone, others require an audition; contact the Society for details either at Fresher’s Fayre or by email to t.wheeler324@canterbury.ac.uk.
- Flute choir
- Concert band
- String ensemble
- Society choir
- Female A Cappella Ensemble
University Ensembles
University Chorus
This large, friendly choir performs a range of repertoire in major events including the Carols by Candlelight service and the annual Cathedral Concert.
Membership: Open to everyone without audition.
Rehearsals: Wednesdays, 5.30 – 7.00 pm, St Gregory’s
Contact: Chris Price, Director of Music: chris.price@canterbury.ac.uk
Chapel Choir – occasional singers
All are welcome to join the Choral Scholars in a rich and varied musical programme, giving singers and congregation alike a taste of the wonderful Anglican musical tradition. The choir also sings elsewhere - including services in Canterbury Cathedral – and occasionally tours further afield.
Membership: Open to all students without audition.
Rehearsals: TBC, but usually Thursdays, 4.15pm rehearsal; 5.30pm service in the Chapel.
Contact: Jeremy Law, Dean of Chapel, jeremy.law@canterbury.ac.uk or Chris Price, Director of Music: chris.price@canterbury.ac.uk
Chapel Choir – Choral Scholars
Each year Christ Church offers at least four Choral Scholarships for the University Chapel Choir: one on each voice part (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass; note that countertenors and contraltos are equally welcome) and at least one Organ/Conducting scholarship. Choral Scholarships are worth £800 per annum and Organ/Conducting scholarships are worth £1,000 per annum.
Membership: By audition (see below).
Rehearsals: TBC, weekly
Contact: Complete the audition form to be found here.
Christ Church Gospel Choir
An inclusive choir that achieved 3rd place in University Gospel Choir of the Year in both 2016 and 2017. Ability to read music not essential. Music from a repertoire of traditional and contemporary Gospel songs are performed at University and external events.
Membership: Open to all students, staff and alumni without audition.
Rehearsals: Wednesdays, 7.00 - 9.00 pm, University Chapel
Contact: gospelchoir@canterbury.ac.uk or vince.peilow@canterbury.ac.uk
University Chamber Ensembles
The most important feature about these ensembles is that they are student-led, mentored by the Director of Music and other staff. They form and re-form depending on the aptitudes and interests of the participants, performing an enormous range of pieces ranging from ‘classical’ repertoire to arrangements of songs by Queen and the ELO. They perform at various times throughout the year, and all will join forces for the big events such as the Cathedral Spring Concert.
Membership: Open to all students without audition.
Rehearsals: Wednesdays, 2.00-4.00 pm
Contact: Chris Price, Director of Music: chris.price@canterbury.ac.uk
University Orchestra
Just occasionally, ALL the university’s musicians gather in one tremendous force to deliver an unforgettable performance of something. Our most recent outings were the Christmas Cracker Concert in December 2019, in which the audience carols were accompanied by this mighty ensemble, and a freely-adapted performance of Purcell’s King Arthur in March last year, in which both Dryden’s script and Purcell’s music were subjected to treatment neither could have imagined in an event which transformed the Cathedral Eastern Crypt into a remarkable performance environment.
Membership: By arrangement with and/or invitation from the Director of Music
Rehearsals: As required
Contact: Chris Price, Director of Music: chris.price@canterbury.ac.uk
Christ Church Big Band
Brass, woodwind, piano/keyboard/vibraphone, guitar, bass (double and electric), drums, percussion and vocals make up this gigging band, performing classic Big Band arrangements of swing and jazz to the highest standard alongside students’ arrangements and compositions for the group.
Membership: By audition (see below).
Rehearsals: Tuesdays, 7.00-9.00pm (TBC)
Contact: Steve Waterman, Director: steve.waterman@canterbury.ac.uk
University Chamber Choir
This ensemble performs choral music of all periods and styles to the highest standard, performing in several concerts on campus during the academic year, graduation ceremonies in the cathedral, the annual cathedral Spring Concert, and the Carols by Candlelight service. It also participates in the annual Cathedral Group Choirs Festival, to be hosted next year (March 2022) here in Canterbury.
Membership: By audition (see below).
Rehearsals: Thursdays, 7.00-9.00 pm
Contact: Chris Price, Director of Music: chris.price@canterbury.ac.uk
Broadway Choir
This group delivers impressive performances of music theatre standards in concerts throughout the year, notably in the Canterbury Festival and at Christmas and the Summer Prom. You don’t need to read music, but you do need to work hard: performances are off-copy, and beautifully choreographed, with a cool mix of solo, small-ensemble, and full-throated part-singing.
Membership: By audition (see below).
Rehearsals: Mondays, 7.00-9.00 pm.
Contact: Phil Hornsey, Director: phil.hornsey@canterbury.ac.uk
Commercial Music ensembles
Subject to availability and audition, two or three professionally directed Commercial Music ensembles may be open to anyone interested.
Membership: Audition by arrangement with Ensemble Directors and subject to availability.
Rehearsals: Various
Contact: James Dean: james.dean@canterbury.ac.uk
Auditions
Auditions for Chamber Choir, Broadway Choir, and Big Band will take place on Wednesday 29 September 2021, 2.00-5.00 pm, in Maxwell Davies (there will be signposts!); just turn up.
Auditions for Chapel Scholarships will take place on Wednesday 6 October 2021, 2.00-5.00 pm, in the Chapel. You will be allocated a time by email
You do NOT need to audition if you were in the ensemble last year; you will automatically be offered a place.
At your audition, you will be asked to perform a short piece of your own choosing and to take a sight-reading test. A member of the panel will be able to accompany you at the piano. The piece should be chosen to show off your technical proficiency and tone quality, and should be appropriate in style to the group you hope to join – so for Chamber Choir, a piece from the western art music repertoire is expected; for Broadway Choir something ‘poppier’ will do nicely.