If you are an instrumentalist or singer, performance will be integral to your course. In addition to solo performance, you will be expected to participate in a range of ensemble activities appropriate to your first study area. Your Head of Department will work with you to negotiate a suitable balance of activity, including participation in orchestras, bands, choirs, chamber music, etc.
Our performance programme includes several orchestras and large ensembles, ranging from our Symphony Orchestra to our Thallein Ensemble for contemporary music, chamber music, early music, performance opportunities in large and chamber ensembles, and a well-developed folk and world music programme.
Both undergraduate and postgraduate vocalists are given the opportunity to participate in our active and inclusive opera and stage performance programme. Composers can take advantage of our dedicated Composers’ Ensemble when organising performances of new compositions. A number of ongoing and special concert series and festivals provide further opportunities to showcase particular areas of work. In addition, there have been many special large-scale events in recent years, including:
- Three Cities Orchestra – an orchestral project bringing together students from Birmingham, Lyon and Frankfurt under the baton of Prof Rolf Reuter for concerts in Lyon and Birmingham
- Duke Ellington’s Far East Suite – performed by our Jazz Orchestra and acclaimed jazz pianist Liam Noble
- Messiaen Centenary – a concert in Town Hall including highly acclaimed performances of Oiseaux exotiques and L’ascension.
- Boulez in Birmingham – a mini-festival celebrating Pierre Boulez, comprising masterclasses and performances in the presence of the composer
- Performances supporting CBSO:2020 – two pre-concert orchestral performances in Symphony Hall supporting the CBSO's 100th anniversary programming strand