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Staff-led Music Groups


From orchestras to choirs, jazz to musical theatre, Royal Holloway has one of the most vibrant music performance departments in the UK. 

Get involved 

Click through our staff-led music groups and explore what makes them so special and what world-class specialist leads them

Andean Band of Royal Holloway

The unique Andean Band, the only one of its type in the UK, specialises in the performance of music from the Bolivian Andes and gives a diverse range of performances, often in collaboration with the UK-based Andean musicians. It is directed by Reader in Music Dr Henry Stobart and performs on his collection of several hundred instruments (panpipes, flutes, drums, and guitars).

Andean Band is usually offered as an undergraduate Ensemble Performance course unit on alternate years (alternating with the Gamelan Ensemble 'Puloganti'), and runs as an extrcurricular ensemble open to all at other times.

How to get involved  

Where? Wetton Studio 0-04
When?

Mondays, 1.00pm - 2:00pm

How? Open to all, but please email us in advance to book your space as numbers as limited
Who? h.stobart@rhul.ac.uk

Choir of Royal Holloway

The Choir of Royal Holloway is considered to be one of the finest university choirs in Britain. The choir was created at the time of the foundation of Royal Holloway College in 1886, and was originally only for women’s voices. The group, comprised of 24 choral scholars and 2 organ scholars, is directed by Rupert Gough and undertakes a busy schedule of weekly services and concerts, international tours, recordings and live broadcasts. Royal Holloway is the only university that maintains a tradition of singing daily morning services, and is home to the only choir in the country performing weekly live streamed concerts.

As part of the choir’s 50+ concerts a year, they regularly collaborate with and perform alongside many famous ensembles. These have included the King’s Singers, the BBC Singers, Britten Sinfonia, London Mozart Players, Onyx Brass, Fretwork and the jazz-trio Acoustic Triangle, with whom they broadcast live on BBC radio. The group also celebrates the work of living composers, and have commissioned works from Sir James MacMillan, Gabriel Jackson, Richard Rodney Bennett, Cecilia McDowall and Paul Mealor. The choir’s diverse repertoire also includes larger-scale works including Vespers by Monteverdi, Rachmaninov and Rautavaara, Requiems by Mozart and Howells, and Gabriel Jackson’s Ave regina coelorum for choir and electric guitar which they also broadcast live on BBC Radio 3.

International performances are also an integral part of the choir’s work. They have toured most European countries, visited Beijing, and have had a number of successful tours to North America, as well as having been broadcast on national television and radio all over the world. The choir regularly sing at high-profile events which have included the Annual Festival of Remembrance at the Albert Hall (live on BBC television), and for an awards ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

The choir has an extensive and highly acclaimed discography with Hyperion, Decca, Signum and Naxos amongst others. Many of these feature works by northern European composers, Vytautas Miškinis, Rihards Dubra, Bo Hansson, Tõnu Kõrvits (with the Britten Sinfonia) and Ola Gjeilo (which was No. 1 in the UK and US classical charts). Upcoming releases feature the music of Ben Parry and Joanna Marsh, a live-concert recording of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with Thomas Adès and the Britten Sinfonia, and a recently rediscovered work by Pierre Villette with alumna Sarah Fox. Future projects include works by George Arthur, and Dan Locklair.

How to get involved

How? Auditions for choral and organ scholarships take place every March for the following academic year.
Who? choraladmin@rhul.ac.uk
Daily Download Coming soon

The Founder's Choir of Royal Holloway

The Founder's Choir is an auditioned group of around 30 singers who study a range of subjects at Royal Holloway, University of London. The choir meets every Monday from 7:30-9:00pm in the beautiful Chapel in the Founder's Building.

We perform in services and concerts at local churches as well as in Evening Worship at Royal Holloway and, a particular highlight for us, at the College's annual Carol Service. The choir also undertakes a European Tour each year with past destinations including, Rome and Vienna. The Founder's Choir is run by an elected Student Comittee and overseen by the Director of Choral Music, Rupert Gough.

A lively social life is also encouraged with events including bingo, days out and trips to the pub. 

How to get involved

Where? Chapel, Founder's Building
When? Mondays, 7.30pm - 9.00pm
How? Audition sign-up and more information will be released soon
Who?  founderschoir.rhul@gmail.com
Daily Download Coming soon

Gamelan Ensemble 'Puloganti' 

The Gamelan Ensemble ‘Puloganti’, directed by Honorary Lecturer Simon Cook, performs Sundanese music from West Java, Indonesia on the Royal Holloway gamelan degung. This ensemble comprises bronze gongs and metallophones, with drums and flute.

How to get involved

Where? Wettons East Studio 5 (First floor)
When? Thursdays, 4.30pm - 6.00pm
How? Please contact Simon.Cook@rhul.ac.uk, or simply turn up.
Daily Download Coming soon

Jane Holloway Choir

The Jane Holloway Choir was set up in January 2018 as a non-auditioned choir for students, and prides itself on being run by student committee for the benefit of students. The choir also benefits from regular masterclass and workshop opportunities with Royal Holloway's Director of Choral Music, Rupert Gough. The student conductor's for this ensemble will also recieve mentoring from Rupert Gough, and will recieve opportunities to perform as part of both the International Concert Series and liturgical services. 

We will be sorting members into voice parts so don’t worry if you’re new to choral singing and don’t know what voice part you are. Although we are a non-auditioned choir, we still like to challenge ourselves with a diverse repertoire and technical training, interspersed with fun and jokes. We are a super friendly and supportive choir so please don’t be afraid to join in!

How to get involved

When?

Fridays, 6.00pm - 7.30pm

Where?

Chapel, Founder's Building

How?

As a non-auditioned choir, there are no entrance requirements to join the group and welcome everyone regardless of their musical background.

If you are considering joining or would like to find out more about the choir, please email janehollowaychoir.rhul@gmail.com or contact us through our Facebook page. 

Drop us a message and say hi on Facebook (Search 'Jane Holloway Choir ') or on Instagram (@janehollowaychoir.rhul)

Who? janehollowaychoir.rhul@gmail.com

Percussion Group

This Percussion Group Ensemble is led by percussionist and ethnomusicologist Dr Tom Wagner. Students will explore the sounds and rhythms for an array of percussion instruments. This is a free-form ensemble in which all types of percussionsts welcome (tuned/untuned, kit specialists, varied genres, etc.)

How to get involved


Where? Wettons Annexe A
When? Tuesdays, 6.00pm - 8.00pm
How? To submit your interest, please contact Tom.Wagner@rhul.ac.uk

New Music Collective & New Voices Consort

The New Music Collective and New Voices Consort produces a series of new music events and opportunties every year at Royal Holloway. They are dynamic ensembles whose aim is to present a diverse blend of instrumental and vocal music of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries to the highest standard, facilitating the opportunity for musicians and audiences alike to experience new and exciting music. Led by Royal Holloway composer and conductor, Nathan James Dearden, its programme features contemporary music by established and emerging composers such as Caroline Shaw, Judith Weir, Michael Finnissy, Missy Mazzoli, David Lang, Howard Skempton, Oliver Knussen, and Nico Muhly, and regularly features the music of Royal Holloway composers. Recent repertoire has included Steve Martland's American Invention, Caroline Shaw's To the hands, Terry Riley's In C, and a much anticipated performance of Gavin Bryars’ Jesus' blood never failed me yet as part of the 2023 PLAY! Festival. 

Entry to both groups is open to all, however good sight-reading is essential. 

How to get involved

Where? Wettons Studio 0-04 / Chapel
When?

Mondays, 6.00pm - 7.30pm

How?

Sign-up for to our 2024-25 projects here: https://forms.office.com/e/L5aQDW4af1

Who? nathanjames.dearden@rhul.ac.uk
Daily Download Find out more: https://youtu.be/IgKfJ3dbNAI?si=AYTgkPJkFowG0DKu

Orchestras at Royal Holloway

Orchestras bring people together - they employ on a daily basis skills we all need in our day-to-day lives - collaboration, listening, respect, humility, discipline, and commitment. Through participation in orchestra, students are given a chance to develop their confidence - not only in their playing, but also in their communication and leadership skills, and we hope that they then transfer these experiences into whatever path they choose in life.

Led by Royal Holloway's dedicated Director of Orchestras, international conductor Rebecca Miller, orchestral performance has become one of the most vibrant and active musical specialisms at Royal Holloway. 

How to get involved

Where?

Windsor Building Auditorium 

When?

Wednesdays, 6.30pm - 9.30pm

First session takes place on Wednesday, 4 October 2024

Who?

rebecca.miller@rhul.ac.uk

Audition now

To apply or for more information about the audition process, please visit our website and complete our online application form.

For further information, please contact rebecca.miller@rhul.ac.uk.

Daily Download

Find out more: https://youtu.be/R0Zy5gIUgdQ?si=HibSA4iEwb85osQI

 


Professional development & other staff-led opportunities 

Still have not found what you are looking for? Take a look at these other staff-led opportunities.

AltMus+

A professional development programme for jazz, popular music and musical theatre specialists

The Department of Music launched a new programme in 2020 where the College's finest musical theatre, acoustic pop and jazz acts (two or more participants in each group) can receive professional feedback and training on their setlist, prepared music to their performance technique. If you are a musical theatre chorus, jazz quintet to a vocalist and guitarist, this is the programme for you. 

This special programme has seen award-winning jazz singer Irene give a session on gig preparation and performance technique, acclaimed vocal coach Robert Greenhill give a masterclass to our musical theatre specialists, plus a series of digital forums on the music industry with Irene Serra and PRS for Music. 

How to get involved

Where? Various
When?

Various

Who? mary.dullea@rhul.ac.uk
Daily Download Find out more: https://youtu.be/IDPtTDqY8Ds?si=ZvX2xx6EE0X_wpOe

Concert Management & Artist Personnel Programme

Ever wondered what goes on behind-the-scenes? Who organises the publicity for an event? How to coordinate and manage a rehearsal schedule?

This special programme is a professional development scheme for those who have a thirst for this field of arts administration or would like to explore a behind-the-scenes view of music. Many of the successful applicants who have participated in this programme have gone on to work in arts administration having graduated, working at institutions such as the Royal Opera House, Southbank Centre, Winchester College and many more. 

This is a special staff-led programme in which students can apply for positions in one of four teams; Programme Production Team; Publicity & Promotion Team; Technical Event Support Team; New Music Artist Personnel Team. Mentored by curator, event manager and Music Performance Manager at Royal Holloway, Eleanor Sperling, twelve successful applicants will be placed into a team based on their strengths and interests as shown in their application and interview.

Applications open in September of every academic year. This opportunity is open to undergraduate music students.

For more information about the roles within each team, please click here

How to get involved

When?

This programme has a flexible timeline, with regular projects/deadlines throughout Terms 1 and 2.

How? Applications are now open. CLICK HERE for more information and to apply. 
Who? mailto:musicperformance@rhul.ac.uk
Deadline Applications close at 5.00pm on Tuesday, 24 September 2024 and interviews will take place on Friday, 27 September 2024. You will be contacted in the coming days to allocate an interview time. 

Front of House Initiative

The Front of House Initiave is an opportunity for undergraduate students in 2022-23 to be the face for the Department of Music during our International Concert Series and assist with the management and operations of 'The Platform'.

Ten students will be selected and will be assigned specific projects/events throughout the academic year. 

Roles and responsibilities may include:

  • Monitor and address queries during any Department of Music concert or International Concert Series event;
  • Assist with audience patron questions;
  • Be an ambassador and local 'voice' for the International Concert Series and Department of Music events;
  • Manage rehearsal and recording sessions, from scheduling to on-hand support, and assist with the running of the concert;
  • Be the face of Royal Holloway Music Department, welcoming audience members, checking tickets, guiding to seats, receving feedback and making an all-round positive experience for visitors to our university.

This role can be used as an alternative for participation in any other staff-led music ensemble such as an orchestra or choir and will count towards your participation remit in your Performance-based undergraduate module. 

How to get involved

When?

This programme has a flexible timeline, with regular projects/deadlines throughout Terms 1 and 2.

How?

Please sign up to be part of our wonderful Front-of-House Team by completing this short form (link embedded) by 12.00pm on Friday, 27 September 2024 and a team will be chosen and placed into a rota to work at our International Concert Series 2024-25. 

Who? musicperformance@rhul.ac.uk

 


Attendance

We want you to get the most from our music groups, so we therefore ask that you take your roles in a music group as professionally as possible. 

What to expect?

All music groups are required to log attendance. We expect all members of a music group to have high attendance, to ensure the best standards of music-making and the consistent and smooth-running of the group.

Students may be using a music group as part of their activity remit for a music performance module, in which case we ask for students to have an attendance of 80% or more.

Therefore if you have 18 rehearsals over the course of terms 1 and 2, students will need to attend at least 14 rehearsals. If students' attendance falls below 80%, it is at the discretion of the music group conductor/leader and module convenors as to whether they include this as part of their assessed remit. Module convenors often contact student music groups to survey attendance monitoring.