Music
What we offer
The Music Department is open from 8am to 8.30pm Monday to Thursday, and from 8am to 6pm on Fridays, with restricted access from 10am to 5pm at the weekend. It serves the needs of all students, staff and, where appropriate, members of the local Portsmouth community.
Although music is playing an increasingly important part in our degree programmes, the Music Department itself is purely recreational, which means that students from all departments are treated equally. Although vacancies can not be guaranteed in every group, we aim to provide a positive musical experience to all who are interested, regardless of ability.
The following ensembles need your participation. Full details of rehearsal times and venues are available on our news and events page.
Choir
In recent years, concerts have included works such as Mozart’s Requiem, Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle, the world premiere of the Italian version of Handel's Funeral Anthem for Queen Caroline, and, in collaboration with the Portsmouth Festival Choir and the PGS Parents' Choir, Verdi's magnificent Requiem. In November 2012, the choir will perform Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana on Sunday 25th November 5:00pm in the Kings Theatre.
We usually give two concerts each year in a variety of local venues, including the two Portsmouth cathedrals, and in addition take part in the University Carol Service. For the strongest singers in the choir we also offer the Chamber Singers, a much smaller group of around 20, selected by an informal audition.
Rehearsals for the main choir take place on Wednesday evenings from 5.30-7.30pm in the Park Building Room 2.23, while Chamber Singers' rehearsals take place on Wednesday afternoons in the Wiltshire Building.
Orchestra
The Orchestra performs a wide variety of repertoire with three programmes each year; the first usually a shared concert with the Big Band, and then for the second we turn into a pit orchestra for the Dramatic and Musical Society production. The final programme either prepares music for our biennial international tour, or might provide an opportunity to perform with the choir or on our own. The orchestra plays music ranging from film music to Dvorak's New World Symphony to dance music. Players need to be a minimum of grade 5 standard, and wind players will usually be asked to audition due to a high demand for places. Rehearsals take place on Thursday evenings from 6.30-8.30pm in the Wiltshire Building.
Wind Band
The Wind Band performs a light repertoire of music from the stage and screen, pop songs from various decades and well-known classical pieces and folksongs
All woodwind and brass instruments are welcome, as well as string bass, drums and percussion. The recommended standard for members is Grade 3 minimum, although beginners are welcome to enhance their learning in a friendly, relaxed environment.
The Wind Band rehearses every Tuesday evening from 6.30pm-8.30pm in Wiltshire Building.
Dramatic and Musical Society (DMS)
The Dramatic and Musical Society (DMS) performs a musical or light opera each year usually in the New Theatre Royal. Recent productions have included Annie Get Your Gun, the Yeomen of the Guard and Strauss’ Die Fledermaus. In March 2013 DMS is looking forward to returning to the Kings Theatre for a production of Gershwin's Strike Up The Band. The society is always looking for actors/chorus singers (no auditions), principals (by audition), as well as dancers, choreographers, stage hands and marketing people. No experience is necessary, and much fun is to be had, so don't miss out!
Rehearsals are on Tuesdays (and Thursdays by arrangement) from 6.30-9.30pm in the Main Hall of the Nuffield Centre, and the performance dates are the 28th February -2nd March at 7.30pm in the King’s Theatre.
Big Band
This is a full big band with saxophone, trombone, trumpet and rhythm sections. As well as jazz standards the band also plays funk, soul and blues. It usually plays for the Student Union Christmas Ball as well as local theatres and pubs. The musical director and management of the band are elected from its members annually. Auditions are held for singers and sections that are over-subscribed. Rehearsals take place on Monday evenings from 6.30-8.30pm in the Wiltshire Building.
For further information visit the Music Society Big Band pages.
Music Society
All students who wish to participate in musical activities or use the practice facilities must join the Music Society, which exists to promote concerts and organise social events. The Society also organises an overseas tour every two years; the first was to Poland in June 2004, and we have since been to the Czech Republic, Spain, Germany and most recently, Slovenia.
Practice Rooms
The Music Department has four practice rooms and two rehearsal rooms, all with pianos, in the Wiltshire Building at the heart of the Guildhall campus.
Organ Scholarship
An organ scholarship is available at St Mary's Church - please contact the Music Director for further details.
Register your interest
If you are interested in musical activities, please register here.