Join
Join us
Extra-curricular musical activities are an integral part of student life at Kent, and there are many opportunities for you to get involved. Whatever you study, make music!
Getting Started flyer
Download the new Getting Started flyer: all the details for auditions and first rehearsals! (pdf)
Music Intro: Mon 26 Sep 7.30pm
Come along to meet members of the various Music Societies, find out about getting involved in extra-curricular music and sign up for activities / societies in which you are interested
Colyer-Fergusson Hall
Chorus
An un-auditioned choir of around 100 singers, the Chorus meets weekly on Monday evenings, and prepares for three concerts in the year with the Symphony Orchestra, both on campus and in Canterbury Cathedral.
No previous singing experience necessary - open to students, staff and alumni. External members are also welcome, but should email music@kent.ac.uk to arrange an audition.
First rehearsal: Monday 3 October, 7.30pm, Colyer-Fergusson Hall
Orchestra
The University Symphony Orchestra rehearses weekly and performs three concerts a year, including one in Canterbury Cathedral.
String players above Grade 6 welcome, woodwind and brass auditions take place at the start of the academic year on Saturday 1 October, 10am - 4pm
Open rehearsal: Thursday 29 September, 7.30pm, Colyer-Fergusson Hall.
Open to students, staff and alumni.
External members are also welcome, but should email music@kent.ac.uk to arrange an audition.
Chamber Choir
The Chamber Choir is an auditioned, primarily student-based group of around twenty student singers. The choir gives an annual concert in the Crypt of Canterbury Cathedral, and also participates in the University Carol Service as well as other concerts off-campus and throughout the city of Canterbury.
Rehearsals are on Tuesday evenings.
Auditions take place at the beginning of the academic year on Wednesday 28 September, 1-6pm and Friday 30 September 2-7pm
Big Band
Open to all advanced saxophone, brass, bass and kit players (need to read music), the Big Band rehearses each week on Wednesday evenings. It gigs throughout the year both on- and off-campus.
The Big Band repertoire ranges from traditional big band classics to Stevie Wonder, and they often work with professional performers: previous guests include saxophonist Phil Veacock from the Jools Holland Orchestra and trumpeter Mike Lovatt from the John Wilson Orchestra.
First rehearsal: Wednesday 28 September, 8.45pm, Colyer-Fergusson Hall.
Auditions may be required.
Concert Band
The Concert Band rehearses on Wednesday evenings, and performs in an ever-popular concert each year in the spring term and during Summer Music Week.
Repertoire for the Concert Band ranges from John Williams and Hans Zimmer to showtunes.
First rehearsal: Wednesday 28 September, 7.15pm, Colyer-Fergusson Hall.
Open to students, staff and alumni.
External members are also welcome, but should contact music@kent.ac.uk
Cecilian Choir
A by-invitation choir of students, staff and alumni which performs in Colyer-Fergusson and at Canterbury Cathedral.
String Sinfonia
String Sinfonia meets every Wednesday, 4-6pm, performing a concert every term. This year sees the return of Glyndebourne Touring Opera to run a workshop with them on 9 November.
There will be a taster session after the first Orchestra rehearsal, on Thursday, 29 September
Musical Theatre Society
A student-run society which puts on two main musicals each year, both in the Marlowe Theatre Studio in Canterbury and the University’s Gulbenkian theatre. Recent shows have included Rent, Company and Evita. There is also a themed showcase each term in Colyer-Fergusson Hall and in Gulbenkian
Gospel Choir
A student-run society that performs throughout the year, and takes part in the University Gospel Choir of the Year competition .
General Harding's Tomfoolery
A by-invitation swing dance orchestra, playing classic tunes from the 1940s and 1950s from an archive of original sheet music of the time
Student music societies
There are a number of music societies which co-ordinate student music-making activities:
Getting involved
Members of the Music Society reflect on being involved in extra-curricular music as part of their experience at the University
