You are here: University of Huddersfield : Academic Schools : Music, Humanities and Media : Music & Music Technology : Ensembles
You are here: University of Huddersfield : Academic Schools : Music, Humanities and Media : Music & Music Technology : Ensembles
Most groups select players at the beginning of the academic year, but anyone interested in participating in the ensembles listed below should contact the director concerned to see if there are opportunities to join. These are the ensembles that are run by the department, but students frequently form their own chamber groups for more informal performances, sometimes undertaking professional engagements. In years 2 and 3, there is the opportunity to use participation in one of the department's larger ensembles, or to form your own chamber ensemble, as part of your degree credit. Year 1 students all sing in the University Choir as a minimum, but often take part in further groups.
Use the links above to find out more about the universities ensembles.
Rehearsals held on Monday afternoons 4.15pm - 6.15pm
Auditions will be held this year on Monday 26 September 2005. Details will be placed on the Music Department notice board in Induction week.
The University Big Band is a large ensemble that welcomes players of brass (trumpets, trombones), wind (saxophones, sometimes doubling on flute and clarinet), double bass, piano, percussion and bass guitar. There are opportunities for suitably qualified singers to perform jazz repertoire with the group. The Big Band performs across the whole spectrum of the genre. The pad includes pieces from Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Bill Holman, Sammy Nestico, Neil Hefti and Stan Kenton, through to Bob Florence, Bob Mintzer, Toshiko Akitoshi and Bob Curnow.
Anyone in the University can audition for the band each year. However, priority will be given to those studying performance on their main instrument. The band is also split across the three main year groups in order to have continuity from year to year. As the music is so stylistically different from the other ensembles this continuity is vital for the continued progression of the band.
The band performs three concerts in the University during the year as well as various external engagements and an end of year tour. All proceeds from external gigs go into the purchase of new music.
Ensemble director: Sean Miller (contact via part-time staff pigeon holes)
When do we meet: Weekly rehearsals during terms 1 and 2. Time to be announced (see Music department notice boards)
The University folk group concentrates on British folk music, with a mixture of traditional and more contemporary folk. This is an acoustic folk group, which plays material from reels and jigs to songs and ballads.
Who can join? Anyone can join, and we anticipate there being enough places for anyone who wants to join, (although there is a ceiling on numbers, priority will be given to those joining as part of directed ensembles). If we get too many joining we will close the group to new members for the year. Anyone who can play flute/recorder (we also have some tin whistles); violin / fiddle (or try your hand at a mandolin which has the same fingering and tuning); percussion / bodhran; singers. If you are interested and want to learn an instrument or some new music come and join in. Most instruments can be accommodated (we may not have a lot of space for too many more guitarists though!).
How can someone join? Turn up to a rehearsal or contact one of the tutors involved. There are no auditions.
Ensemble director: Rupert Till ( Rupert Till room M4/07 ext.2141) is the University lecturer to contact. Bob Davis is a visiting lecturer who will run the ensemble.
When do you meet? Weekly rehearsals during terms 1 and 2. Time to be announced. Sports Hall Waist pop rehearsal space.
The UFG play funk music from the 1960s and 1970s, in the style of James Brown and Sly and the Family Stone. The group concentrates on tight rhythm section work, with careful arrangements. Concert repertoire will include pieces by composers such as James Brown, Bootsy Collins, Parliament.
Who can join? The groups are hugely popular, priority is given to those taking this group as part of the directed ensembles module. There are still some seats available for some instruments, brass players (sax, trumpet, trombone) in particular (although you may in fact be expected to stand). Contact tutor Rupert Till if you are interested.
Ensemble director: Rupert Till (Rupert Till room M4/07 ext.2141) is the University lecturer to contact. Bob Davis is a visiting lecturer who will run the ensemble. He is currently researching funk and groove at the Institute of Popular Music.
When do you meet? Weekly. Tuesday evenings 7 - 9pm in the recital hall, music building.
Samba is a music originating from Brazil performed by a multi-part percussion orchestra. Samba is good for your timing and rhythmic playing, as well as being hugely enjoyable. No previous knowledge is required as there are parts of varying difficulties. The group aims to do a number of informal performances outside the university that you can get involved in if you want to. The samba band hopes eventually to perform at community events and carnivals, rallies, marches and festivals, although you can decide your level of involvement for yourself.
Recent concert repertoire has included: Batacuda, samba reggae etc.
Who can join? Anyone can join. The group is funded as part of a widening participation project, and is a mixture of interested local people and students. Come along to a rehearsal or contact Rupert Till for more information. There are no auditions. Enthusiasm and commitment are more important than experience in this case.
Ensemble director: Rupert Till (Rupert Till room M4/07 ext.2141) is the University lecturer to contact. Maggie O'Keefe runs the ensemble itself, contact her at rehearsals each week.
When do you meet? Weekly in terms 1 and 2. Time and day of the week to be decided. Watch notice boards for details.
The South Asian Arts Ensemble (HUSSAE) is funded via the HEIF2 widening participation scheme, and aims to bring together students and local people to study different instruments and styles. SAA-UK from Leeds will train members in a variety of techniques and genres. There will be opportunities for some members to participate in education workshops run by the group in the community, and some of this work will be paid.
Concert repertoire may include: Indian Classical Music, Bhangra (traditional), Dhol, Pakistani song, Hindustani traditions, Ragas.
Who can join? There are a limited number of places available on a first come, first served basis. You may wish to learn Sitar (especially guitarists) or Tabla, or you may play a western instrument that could be used to play South Asian Arts music (flute, clarinet, any strings, voice, sax, bass for example). No experience necessary, enthusiasm and commitment are important, as is the willingness to practise hard.
How can someone join? Contact Rupert Till for more information. There are no auditions planned, although there may need to be if there is an overwhelming demand. Students taking this ensemble as part of directed ensembles will be given priority.
Ensemble director: Rupert Till (Rupert Tillroom M4/07 ext.2141) is the University lecturer to contact.
When do you meet? Weekly rehearsals in term 1 and 2. Day and time to be announced.
The group plays traditional American Blues from delta blues through to early 1960s R'n'B. This is primarily an acoustic ensemble, not an electrified R'n'B band.
Concert repertoire may include: music by Robert Johnson, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Son House, Leadbelly, John Lee Hooker, Howling Wolf, Willie Dixon.
Who can join? Most members of the group have chosen this ensemble as part of the directed ensembles module. There may be a limited number of spaces left for specific instruments available.
Ensemble director: Rupert Till (Rupert Till room M4/07 ext.2141) is the University lecturer to contact. The ensemble will be run by Mike McSween.
When do you meet? Weekly in terms one and two. Time and day of the week to be confirmed, check notice boards for details.
The group will sing close harmony material from the African American tradition. Repertoire may include gospel, soul, blues and doo-wop.
Who can join? Currently there are no plans to restrict membership of the group. It is aimed at those who consider themselves (or would like to be) singers from any tradition. It will be of particular interest to those who would like to sing pop material but have little experience of pop performance, and of course to those who already sing popular music of any style.
How can someone join? Turn up to a rehearsal and speak to Richie Pitts who will run the group. Alternatively contact music lecturer Rupert Till.
Ensemble director: Rupert Till (Rupert Till room M4/07 ext.2141) is the University lecturer to contact. The ensemble will be run by Richie Pitts, an American singer who has a huge range of performance experience, including lead parts on Top of the Pops and at Glyndebourne.
When do you meet? Weekly in terms one and two. Time and day of the week to be confirmed, check notice boards for details.
The group will work on various forms of jazz improvisation, with all participants given equal, regular opportunities to improvise.
Repertoire may include: Bebop era principally, also looking at modal, free, modern and trad styles.
Who can join? Most members of the group will have chosen this ensemble as part of the directed ensembles module. To be sure you can join the group you must take this module in year 2 or 3. There may be a limited number of spaces left for specific instruments but numbers are kept small to allow everyone enough opportunities to solo. Places are most likely to be available for front line instruments (sax, trumpet etc.). Contact music lecturer Rupert Till or ensemble leader Sean Miller for more details (via part-time staff pigeon hole).
Ensemble director: Rupert Till (Rupert Till room M4/07 ext.2141) is the University lecturer to contact. The ensemble will be run by Sean Miller who also runs the Big Band.