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!
Music Intro 5 October, 5pm Colyer-Fergusson Hall
Come along to meet members of staff and some of the Music Societies, find out about getting involved in extra-curricular music and sign up for activities / societies in which you are interested; all welcome!
Members of the Music Society, Musical Theatre Society, Live Music Society and staff will introduce the various ensembles.
Find out about using the practice-rooms, the band room, and music-making opportunities on campus and beyond. From large, regular ensembles to chamber groups called into being to realise ambitious projects with suitably talented musicians, there's plenty going on throughout the year; make sure you're part of it!
Chorus
Welcome rehearsal (open to all!): Mon 28 Sept, 7pm
An un-auditioned choir of around 100 singers, Chorus meets weekly on Monday evenings, preparing for three concerts in the year with the Symphony Orchestra. Recent pieces have included Vivaldi's Gloria, Fauré's sublime Requiem, and Mozart's Coronation Mass.
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.
Symphony Orchestra
Welcome rehearsal (open to all!): Tues 29 Sept, 7pm, Colyer-Fergusson Hall
Symphony Orchestra rehearses weekly on Tuesday evenings, performing three concerts a year. Open to all students, staff and alumni.* Recent works include Copland's Rodeo and Beethoven's Symphony no.8.
String players above Grade 5 welcome, Woodwind and brass auditions see below:
Audition rubric (for woodwind and brass audition):
- you will need to bring one or two short pieces which demonstrate your playing abilities
- you will be given a short piece to prepare when you sign up for audition at the Welcome Rehearsal
*External members also welcome; please email music@kent.ac.uk
String Sinfonia
When the opportunity arises, we also undertake projects with the String Sinfonia, formed from string players in Orchestra; the group performs both on- and off-campus, including the Assembly Rooms in Faversham as part of the venue's concert series, and working with the University Big Band!
Please note: String Sinfonia runs when numbers permit: sign up at the Music Intro or email the Music Administrator
Pop n Soul Choir!
Welcome rehearsal: Thurs 1 Oct, 6.30pm, Colyer-Fergusson Hall
Do you love singing ? Pop n Soul Choir is open to everyone: no audition required! If you love to sing pop, soul and more, this choir is for students, staff and local community. No need to read music!
External members please email music@kent.ac.uk beforehand
Big Band
Welcome rehearsal (open to all!): Wednesday 30 September, 8.30pm, Colyer-Fergusson Hall
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, including at the Memorial Bandstand in Deal in the summer term.
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.
Auditions may be required.
Concert Band
Welcome rehearsal (open to all!): Wednesday 30 September, 7pm, Colyer-Fergusson Hall
Concert Band rehearses on Wednesday evenings, and performs in concerts in Colyer-Fergusson Hall throughout the year, including as part of the Summer Music Week festival. Guest performers have recently included trumpet superstar, Mike Lovatt.
Repertoire for the Concert Band ranges from John Williams and Hans Zimmer to showtunes.
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 off-campus, including occasionally singing the service of Choral Evensong at Canterbury Cathedral. Recent works have included The Road by Ola Gjeilo, Everyday Wonders: the girl from Aleppo by Cecilia McDowall, and Pergolesi's Stabat Mater.
Auditions take place at the start of the autumn term.
Chamber Choir
The Chamber Choir is an auditioned, student-based group of around twenty student singers. The choir often 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.
Auditions take place at the beginning of the academic year.
New audition rubric:
- you will need to bring a short piece which demonstrates your singing abilities (from any style or genre of music)
- you will be given a short piece to prepare when you sign up for your audition (usually at the Music Intro)
Please note: Chamber Choir runs when numbers permit (minimum 16 voices required for mixed-voice ensemble)
FolkShop!
A student-led group exploring folk music, open to both instrumentalists and singers.
Welcome rehearsal: tbc: sign up at the Music Intro or email the Music Administrator
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 the Gulbenkian Theatre.
Kent Gospel Choir
A student-run society that performs throughout the year, and takes part in the University Gospel Choir of the Year competition
Flute Choir
Flute choir meets every Wednesday. No need to audition: simply come along!
Welcome rehearsal: tbc: sign up at Music Intro or email the Music Administrator
General Harding's Tomfoolery
A by-invitation swing dance orchestra, playing classic tunes from the 1940s and 1950s, such as In the Mood and Moonlight Serenade, from an archive of original sheet music of the time generously donated to the Music department.
Please note: the group runs when numbers permit.
Pops Orchestra!
A fun, informal ensemble playing music from film scores, television and musicals, including Pirates of the Caribbean, Jurassic Park, Apollo 13 and Frozen.
Open to all levels and abilities: no audition required!
Please note: the group runs when numbers permit; sign up at the Music Intro
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
