Admissions

Music

Oxford’s reputation in music stretches back centuries. Some college choirs, with worldwide reputations today, can be traced back to the medieval foundation. Now, as well as its Music degree, Oxford offers students a wealth of opportunity to become involved in music, as listeners or performers, at all levels. The city is home to many ensembles, bands and choirs, and the Sheldonian Theatre and the Holywell Music Room are prime venues for student and professional performances.

Classical music

There is a wealth of opportunity for classical music lovers. Many colleges have their own choirs and orchestras. Opportunities to participate in classical recitals are numerous. Adverts for lunchtime and evening concerts abound, often taking place in spectacular settings such as the Sheldonian Theatre or the Holywell Music Room.

Oxford University Music Society (OUMS)

Formed in 1867 to promote appreciation and performance of music, OUMS is one of the University’s oldest societies. Its members enjoy a range of facilities such as practice rooms, and the society helps many performing groups and college music societies recruit players and advertise concerts. OUMS also runs its own ensembles: the Oxford University Orchestra is professionally conducted and students conduct the Oxford University Philharmonia, Oxford University Sinfonietta, Oxford University Wind Orchestra, Oxford Chamber Orchestra, Oxford University String Ensemble, Oxford University Student Chorus, Oxford University Big Band and Oxford University Brass Band.
www.oums.org

More groups and activities

Many colleges support musicians by awards and other support. For example, students can be choral scholars. Also, organ scholars run, or help to run, the music of the college, especially the chapel. Colleges often have their own music societies, which may run smaller orchestras and choirs, and organise regular solo and chamber recitals.

Oxford Philomusica, the University’s orchestra in residence, offers all sorts of opportunities in performances, recitals, masterclasses and coaching. At the top end of musical ability, the University boasts student orchestras of professional calibre – the Oxford University Orchestra and Oxford University Philharmonia – and the renowned choirs of Christ Church, Magdalen and New College, along with the Schola Cantorum.

Opera is promoted by at least two groups, and other organisations in the University cater for almost every conceivable interest – soul, jazz, indie, rock, electronica, classical Indian, contemporary Russian and more. If you still feel there is something missing, Oxford is the ideal place to do your own thing with the wealth of musical talent in the University.

Contemporary music

If you are looking for contemporary styles of music, Oxford truly punches above its weight. Venues such as the city’s O₂ Academy and New Theatre regularly draw both national and international acts. Many smaller venues hold regular jam sessions and open mike nights for the more aspiring among us. There is even a well established weekly series of both jazz and blues concerts. If you fancying DJ-ing you could always start out at college parties, or try the student club nights that run open decks.

Instrumentalists

Those looking to practise their instruments or form a band will find the numerous college music rooms invaluable. These rooms are often equipped with amps and a PA system. Colleges without a dedicated music room will often provide another space in which musicians can practice. RockSoc, the rock music society, maintains a list of musicians and vocalists to enable like-minded music-lovers to get in touch with one another easily, and jazz musicians in particular are well catered for, with a number of different groups from across the jazz spectrum constantly looking for new members. Other music societies include IMSoc (Indie Music Society) and Electric Collective (for electronic and dance music).

Vocalists

Vocalists also have an astounding array of opportunities in groups as diverse as traditional college choirs, a cappella groups, and even non-auditioned choirs. Musical theatre is also popular, with frequent productions in the large college theatres and Old Fire Station Studio. For the talented, many colleges offer awards for choral and organ scholarships (see below), with a number also offering instrumental or répétiteur scholarships.

Organ, repetiteur, choral and instrumental scholarships

Many colleges at Oxford University offer awards for organ and choral scholarships, and a number also offer instrumental or repetiteur scholarships.

For further information about these scholarships, please see organ, choral, instrumental and repetiteur scholarships.

Music

See also