Performance opportunities
We run a lively programme of concerts, recitals and gigs throughout the academic year.
Performance opportunities
We offer extensive performance opportunities and support many different musical activities and interests.
Our Performance Studies programmes are innovative and challenging. They combine first class one-to-one tuition with structured training in collective performance. This provides a solid basis for successful musical practice in the future.
On your degree you can work with professional musicians and perform in public. We also run a programme of concerts, recitals and gigs throughout the academic year.
Live in the King’s Hall
We have our own professional concert series every Thursday lunchtime during term-time, ’Live in the King’s Hall’, given by world-class professional musicians from a very wide range of music genres and to which entrance is free of charge.
Each Thursday afternoon we run performance workshops and masterclasses. These are followed by a one-hour public Student Performance. Here students can perform and listen to each other across genres such as folk, classical, contemporary, jazz and popular.
Staff-supervised ensembles include the likes of:
- Newcastle University Symphony Orchestra
- Newcastle University Contemporary Music Group
- Electronic Music Group
- Jazz Big Band
- Javanese Gamelan Ensemble
- the New Vocal Ensemble (with a repertoire from medieval to contemporary)
- rock bands as part of the Contemporary Music Practice modules
- and many others
Other ensembles run by and for students through various Students' Union societies include:
- Jazz Orchestra (Swing Big Band)
- various student-run chamber groups such as flute ensemble and wind band
- the Acapella Society
- the Gilbert and Sullivan Society (NUGS)
Performance opportunities in the community
You're also able to take advantage of the huge variety of excellent musical life outside the University. For example at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, where world class music of every kind is performed almost every day (and where students enjoy excellent concessionary ticket prices).
The Glasshouse is home to the world-class Royal Northern Sinfonia and to Folkworks
There are also many other venues in the city, mostly within walking distance of the campus, where you can enjoy music of just about any kind. From excellent folk, jazz, rock, pop, classical and experimental music to opera, world musics, dance and theatre.
Singing
If you're a singer, your interests will be well catered for in the music department.
Performance opportunities range from solo recitals to participation in ensembles, large or small.
The music department is home to Newcastle Bach Choir, founded in 1915 by the celebrated Newcastle-born composer W. G. Whittaker and currently led by Professor Emeritus Eric Cross
Folk and acoustic popular music singers can also join the Vocal Group under the direction of Matt Price.
We host the New Vocal Ensemble (NVE). This attracts the more dedicated classical and early music singers under the direction of Magnus Williamson
There are also various student-led groups catering for popular singing and operetta, including the:
The music department is proud to work in association with Samling Academy, providing opportunities to develop extraordinary singing talent and promoting high-profile performances of opera and other vocal practices.
St Andrew's Church also offers 4 full-time and 4 part-time choral scholarships to undergraduates and postgraduates during university term-time.
Scholars sing at services at St Andrews, in concerts around Newcastle, and can sing at cathedrals around the country.
These offer an honorarium of £1350 (full-time) and £540 (part-time).
Equipment and facilities
We have a large collection of instruments for student use, including:
- orchestral percussion
- drum kits
- guitar amplifiers
- PA equipment
- a Gamelan Pelog
- several Steinway grand pianos
- an organ
- harpsichord
- fortepiano
and a number of other early music instruments including a set of viols, baroque bows and sackbuts.
You are also able to take advantage of the huge variety of excellent musical life outside the University, for example at the Tyne Theatre and Opera House, the music series at the historic Lit and Phil library, and The Glasshouse International Centre for Music where world class music of every kind is performed almost every day (and where students enjoy excellent concessionary ticket prices).
The Glasshouse is home to the world-class Royal Northern Sinfonia and Folkworks. There are also dozens of other venues in the city, mostly within walking distance of the campus, where you can enjoy music of just about any kind, from excellent folk, jazz, rock, pop and free-improvisation to opera, world music, dance and theatre.
