To help you develop a working knowledge of the style and background of music from many periods, our range of orchestras and ensembles covers all of the major musical formats of the last five centuries and each year welcomes a number of eminent and inspiring guest conductors.
Symphony Orchestra
This advanced orchestra covers a wide range of symphonic repertoire, giving regular concerts in the Adrian Boult Hall, and periodic concerts in Birmingham’s magnificent Symphony Hall or Town Hall. Concerts have taken the Orchestra to other venues in the UK and abroad, notably to Lyon (France) for a joint project with the conservatoires of Lyon and Frankfurt.
Repertoire Orchestra
This ensemble provides orchestral repertoire and training experience for instrumentalists, including first- and second-year undergraduate students. Public concerts or workshops are given on a regular basis.
Thallein Ensemble
Created in 1992 the Thallein Ensemble is devoted to the performance of new music and 20th century repertoire. Its flexible performing resources (1 to 20 players, plus electronics) enable the ensemble to tackle a vast and exciting range of works. UK premiere performances include works by Ivan Fedele, Philippe Leroux and Fausto Romitelli. In recent years, the Ensemble has celebrated the works of featured composers such as Jonathan Harvey, Gerald Barry, Colin Matthews, Pierre Boulez and Louis Andriessen, often as part of our Frontiers Concert Series.
Symphonic Wind Orchestra
As well as exploring the traditional wind-band repertoire, this ensemble has given an impressive number of first performances under the direction of conductor Guy Woolfenden. In addition to regular concerts in the Adrian Boult Hall, the Orchestra has performed at several international wind festivals in England and abroad.
Wind Ensemble
Exploring the larger forms of wind chamber music, this ensemble emphasises the importance of chamber music in the overall training of woodwind students. Projects include a CD recording of Dvorák and Strauss serenades and a CD of Mozart’s Gran’ Partita K361, together with the six Notturni for voices and bassett horns.
Brass Band
The Brass Band explores traditional repertoire as well as preparing contemporary test pieces and other demanding repertoire with Ian Porthouse and a range of distinguished guest conductors. Students often have the chance to appear as soloists, and the band often adds outside appearances to its regular Conservatoire concert schedule.
Brass Ensemble
The Brass Ensemble rehearses and performs a variety of large-scale works throughout the year. The Ensemble also plays for all of the University’s Graduation Ceremonies, which gives members an unrivalled opportunity to appear in the magnificent surroundings of Symphony Hall.
Jazz Big Band
Specialising in traditional big band arrangements and the classic repertoire of Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Thad Jones, the Conservatoire Big Band provides initial training in large jazz ensemble playing. The Band, which typically includes up to 20 players, rehearses about once a week and performs termly. Recent projects have included a performance of Duke Ellington’s Far East Suite and a concert with Elaine Delmar.
Jazz Orchestra
Comprised mostly of senior jazz students, our Jazz Orchestra tackles challenging music from the contemporary repertoire, featuring composers such as John Warren, Stan Sulzmann and Maria Schneider, and works with well known guest conductors. The size of the ensemble is flexible according to the demands of the repertoire and performances are given about once a term. In recent years, the Orchestra has appeared with Henry Lowther, Pete Hurt, Mike Gibbs and performed Dave Holland’s compositions in concert in the presence of the composer.
Guitar Orchestra
We have a healthy Guitar Orchestra, which takes on demanding works throughout the year by composers such as Roland Dyens and Leo Brouwer. Performances include the annual intercollegiate concert series as part of the Bolívar Hall (London) International Guitar Festival, as well as regular concerts in the Conservatoire’s venues and outside the college.
Conservatoire Folk Ensemble
Although run on an elective basis, the Conservatoire Folk Ensemble has become an enviable addition to our range of performing ensembles. Currently around 65 members strong, the Ensemble performs a mixture of original folk-based music and traditional tunes specially arranged for the group under the direction of Joe Broughton. The Ensemble undertakes a short UK tour every spring, occasionally working with guest artists. Recent appearances include The Lichfield Festival.
Our large chorus, two chamber choirs and gospel choir provide a range of performance opportunities for students who wish to be involved in ensemble singing.
Conservatoire Chorus
The Conservatoire Chorus performs a variety of large-scale choral works and gives opportunities to advanced students to participate as soloists. Recent repertoire has included Mozart’s Vesperae Solenne di Confessore, Rachmaninov’s The Bells, Britten’s War Requiem and Stravinsky’s Symphony of Psalms. The Chorus is open to all students and is compulsory for first year students.
Chamber Choir
Under the direction of Paul Spicer (Finzi Singers) and Jeffrey Skidmore (Ex Cathedra), Chamber Choir is a small specialist ensemble, selected by audition. The Choir presents concerts of repertoire from the Renaissance to the present day, both at the Conservatoire and further afield, including occasional trips abroad. Conducted by Paul Spicer, the Choir’s recently issued CD of 20th-century English choral repertoire and was warmly praised by the music press. A second CD is forthcoming.
Camerata
Open to students who want to gain further experience in small ensemble singing, Camerata is primarily directed by our postgraduate Choral Conducting students. The Choir rehearses varied repertoire and performs, on average, twice a year.
Gospel Choir
Directed by Peter Daley, this dynamic and eclectic choir performs traditional and newly composed gospel music and has been featured on BBC Radio 3.