Playing opportunities

If you are looking for something completely different, then why not try these exciting classes offered by two experienced tutors in association with the Centre for Performing Arts.

African Drumming classes are held on Wednesdays at 17:30 in S Block (School of Education) - Room 3S400/3S505, Frenchay Campus. Drums are provided for those who do not have their own.

Beginners and experienced drummers welcome. Fee: £4.00 per one-and-a-half-hour session - all proceeds to Zambuko Community Library Project, Zimbabwe.

Contact the Centre for Performing Arts for further details.

Mbira Classes can be organised individually or as a group. Instruments may be available for purchase if required. The Mbira originates in Africa and resembles what has been called a ‘thumb piano’ ie metal key played with the fingers and thumbs. The Mbira taught here will introduce you to tunes from the Shona people of Zimbabwe.

If you are interested, please contact Jane.Tarr@uwe.ac.uk.

With a devoted following of both players and audience, the UWE Big Band welcomes experienced instrumentalists to its ranks, subject to vacancies.

The band is very much in demand for concerts and dances and last year performed at a variety of different venues throughout the South West, in the City of Bristol and on campus. It has recently released a CD to critical acclaim; you can purchase the Big Band CD online. Check out the CPA events page or ask at the CPA office for details of performances.

Rehearsals are held at the Centre for Performing Arts, Mondays 19:00-21:00.

For more information about vacancies please contact Adrian Hull, tel +44(0)117 32 82982 or e-mail Adrian.Hull@uwe.ac.uk.

Players of all brass instruments might like to be involved in the Brass Consort or Brass Quintet who give regular concerts throughout the year, often with the Symphony Orchestra or Chamber Choir. The groups also provide music for special occasions - including fanfares and ceremonial music for University events.

Rehearsal times vary. For more information, please contact Adrian Hull, tel +44(0)117 32 82982 or e-mail Adrian.Hull@uwe.ac.uk.

The UWE Chamber Orchestra is for experienced players with an interest in performing the wide spectrum of music that is available for the ensemble. The Chamber Orchestra's inaugural concert featured music from the Baroque period and was a celebration of Handel's 250th anniversary.

In 2010, the ensemble played a range of repertoire from Classical to Contemporary works, including a performance of Copland's Appalachian Spring. In 2011, the ensemble also gave a performance of new student work alongside Mozart’s Symphony No. 40.

The Chamber Orchestra, rather than meeting weekly, meets in the evenings and at weekends prior to concerts. As such, preparation for performances is rather intensive!

If you're interested in performing in the Chamber Orchestra or require more information, please contact Adrian Hull, tel +44(0)117 32 82982 or e-mail Adrian.Hull@uwe.ac.uk.

This newly-formed group is for performers interested in the incredibly diverse world of contemporary classical music. Each year, a selection of new works will be rehearsed and performed in traditional and non-traditional performance spaces. There will be opportunities to participate for those who have never performed before alongside more experienced musicians.

Rather than meeting weekly, rehearsals will be organised in order to prepare for the various performances that the group will give.

If you're interested in taking part in the Contemporary Music Group, or for more information on performances, please contact Adrian Hull, tel +44(0)117 32 82982 or e-mail Adrian.Hull@uwe.ac.uk.

For 2011/12 we hope to run a new Percussion Ensemble. This will be led by one of our students (who has much experience of  percussion instruments, technique and music for this genre) under the guidance of CPA staff.

The ensemble performs a variety of music including some new compositions written for the extensive collection of UWE percussion instruments available. Rehersals are fortnightly in the Centre for Performing Arts, and the ensemble is open to both beginners and experienced players.

If you are interested in taking part in the Percussion Ensemble, please contact Ian Holmes, tel +44(0)117 32 82869 or e-mail Ian.Holmes@uwe.ac.uk.

This is a lively, friendly and very flexible small group keeping advanced players interested, whilst giving those with less experience plenty to do. Most of the music played is in jazz and popular styles, and specifically written for saxophone ensembles. The repertoire is varied by including some arrangements of classical works and pieces based on folk tunes. The group is run by UWE woodwind and saxophone tutor, Valerie Hodges.

The UWE Saxophone Group performs in a wide variety of settings - formal, informal, on and off campus. You may have the chance to entertain guests enjoying wine and canapés at social functions, perform at lunchtime and evening concerts, or make UWE resound to the sound of Christmas carols.

Other activities include the occasional recording of a CD, and some "Big Sax" sessions, where ex-members are welcomed from far and wide, along with other guests, to play complex pieces with up to 9 or 10 parts.

Rehearsals are on Tuesdays, 19:30-21:15 in the Centre for Performing Arts, Frenchay Campus.

For more information, please contact Valerie Hodges through the CPA office.

The Orchestra performs a challenging and varied repertoire in venues such as Bristol Cathedral, St George's Bristol and Colston Hall. It also accompanies the University Singers in concerts throughout the year and at the annual UWE Carol Service.

Recent performances have included Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5 (2011), Respighi’s Pines of Rome (2010), Walton’s Belshazzar’s Feast (2010), Dvorak's Symphony No. 8 (2009), Verdi's Requiem (2008) and Karl Jenkins' The Armed Man (2006). The programme for 2011/12 includes Walton’s Crown Imperial, the Goldschmidt Clarinet Concerto with Catriona Scott as soloist, Copland’s Billy The Kid Suite and Holst’s The Planets to be performed in the Colston Hall on 24th March 2012.

The Orchestra also offers the opportunity for chamber music playing and these smaller groups perform regularly at both University and public events. The Orchestra is conducted by the eminent violinist and Director of the Bristol Ensemble, Roger Huckle, and is supported weekly by professional violin and cello tutors.

Players of all orchestral instruments are invited to apply for membership of the Orchestra. Competition is usually quite keen, but don't be discouraged! As a general rule, woodwind and brass players should be at least Grade 7 of the ABRSM, and string players should be at least Grade 6.

Rehearsals take place on Thursdays, 19:30-21:30, in St Matthias Assembly Hall A122.

For more information please contact Ian Holmes, tel +44 0117 32 82869 or e-mail ian.holmes@uwe.ac.uk.

This is a small and friendly group of between 5 and 12 members, welcoming players of any woodwind instrument. It has a flexible structure which makes it possible for the tutor, Valerie Hodges, to keep advanced players stretched and interested, whilst still providing for those with less experience. They play a wide range of music, including light classical, jazz and popular styles, and music especially written for mixed woodwind groups.

Past performances have ranged from entertaining groups of senior citizens in venues of various sizes, through to events in the Faculty of Education, to more formal lunchtime and evening concerts, both on and off campus. Sometimes the ensemble presents its own concerts, and sometimes it performs alongside other groups such as the Saxophone or African Drumming groups, or the UWE Big Band.

Rehearsals are on Wednesdays, 14:30-16:00, in the Centre for Performing Arts, Frenchay Campus.

For more information, please contact Valerie Hodges through the CPA office.