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Clarinet Choir
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CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
Rehearsals: Monday 19:00 - 21:00, Auditorium
Chamber Orchestra is a high-standard, student-led auditioned ensemble that welcomes 40+ musicians from across the university to perform a variety of thrilling and high standard repertoire, including Copland’s 'Appalachian Spring', Francaix’ Clarinet concerto and Beethoven's 7th Symphony. Each year we have planned a programme of four concerts, including our flagship St. George's concert “An Evening with BUMS”. Individual students have the chance to be featured through the esteemed annual concerto competition as well. For more information, please email our manager bumschamberorchestra@outlook.com or visit our Instagram! @bumschamberorchestra
Meet the Conductor: Charlie Kay
Charlie Kay is a final year undergraduate Music student from Hertfordshire. As a clarinettist Charlie has enjoyed playing in Symphonic Winds, Bristol University Symphony Orchestra and a variety of Chamber music. Last year he was also the conductor of the newly formed Clarinet Choir, as well as being the Chamber Music Coordinator for BUMS. Charlie is also a keen composer, having an orchestral piece premiered by the Symphonia Symphony Orchestra.
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CHAMBER CHOIR
Rehearsals: Monday 19:00 - 21:00, Recital Room
TThe University Chamber Choir is an auditioned group of around 40-50 high-standard singers, performing a wide and varied range of choral repertoire over the course of the year. Performing at least three concerts every year, the choir gets to sing in some Bristol's flagship venues and churches, including at our annual St George's concert. The choir makes up the bulk of our international tour choir.
Meet the Conductor: Mayuri Swimanathan
Mayuri Swaminathan is a second-year music student from the West Midlands who currently sings with the Bristol University Singers and holds a choral scholarship at St Mary Redcliffe church. Last year, Mayuri had the privilege of conducting and musical directing ‘Don Giovanni’ and ‘Cavalleria Rusticana’ with BOpS - the university’s opera society. In addition to singing and conducting, Mayuri also plays the flute, and was a principal study flautist before starting university. When not doing something musical, you will often find them sewing or doing yoga (though not at the same time)! Mayuri is looking forward to running Chamber Choir this year alongside the lovely Bakari Leon, and cannot wait to meet all of the brilliant singers joining!
SYMPHONIC WINDS
Rehearsals: Wednesday 17:00 - 19:00, Auditorium
The Bristol University Symphonic Winds is the university's auditioned concert band. They perform classic and contemporary wind repertoire to an incredibly high standard, ranging from 20th Century wind suites to exciting film scores and everywhere in between. Symphonic Winds usually put on 2 concerts a year, and have exciting rehearsals on Wednesday afternoons with regular socials afterwards. You can find previous Symphonic Winds performances on the Music Society YouTube, and if you have any more questions about the ensemble, please email
Meet the Conductor: Jake Wingfield
Jake Wingfield is a 3rd Year Music Student from the West Midlands, specializing in Vocal Performance. Despite this, Jake's real passion is conducting, and he hopes to do a conducting masters next year in Birmingham. Last year with the Brass Band, Jake achieved huge success, coming 3rd at UniBrass and winning the best student conductor award, and hopes his conducting success will continue into his final year of undergrad with Symphonic Winds. Outside of music, Jake is the captain of a team in the Online Quiz League (OQL). He can also be found at weekends around the UK competing in various quiz tournaments, Film & Sport being his specialist subjects.
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Baroque Ensemble
Rehearsals: Thursday 19:00 - 21:00, Recital Room
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The Baroque Ensemble is an auditioned group dedicated to sharing historically informed, high standard baroque repertoire from an exciting range of composers. Due to its smaller size and passionate members, the ensemble has a unique collaborative atmosphere, with friendly rehearsals and the opportunity for each instrument to shine during performances. We welcome those enthusiastic about baroque music (and those keen to discover more!) and have places available for strings, woodwinds and continuo, as well as brass and percussion.
[ Auditions are after the Freshers Week. If you have any questions, please contact the manager at: BUMSbaroque@outlook.com ]
Meet the Conductor: Sammy Li
Sammy Li is in her third year studying Mathematics and Philosophy, and holds the Vice Chancellor’s Scholarship for piano. She has previously held the positions of co-leader of the BUMS Chamber Orchestra (24/25) and leader of BUMS String Orchestra (23/24), as well as seats in the University Symphony Orchestra. You may have seen her depping for several BUMS and Symphonia ensembles, as well as external Bristol amateur
orchestras; since guesting last year, she joined the Bristol Classical Players for the first two concerts of their Beethoven cycle season. However, Sammy is primarily a pianist, having made her debut performance of Rachmaninov’s Second Piano Concerto in 2023 in Brentwood Cathedral and having competed on the international stage in Russia and Spain.
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WIND ORCHESTRA
Rehearsals: Monday 17:00 - 18:30, Auditorium
The Wind Orchestra is the largest of the non-auditioned ensembles and performs pieces in a wide range of musical styles. We welcome all abilities of wind, brass, and percussion players, so come along, meet new people, explore new music and enjoy being in a friendly and social ensemble! Our wind orchestra competes in the annual South West Universities Concert Band Festival, co-founded by Bristol but now featuring 7 universities across the South West!
If you have any questions please contact the manager at: BUMSwindorchestra@outlook.com
Meet the Conductor: Abi Lear
Abi Lear is a second year Veterinary Nursing and Companion Animal Behaviour student who dabbles in music as her hobby. Abi’s main instruments are the flute and piccolo and she also likes to sing (preferably when no one is listening). This is her first time conducting an orchestra and looks forward to the challenge. Outside of music Abi loves her course, long walks in nature, knitting and being a bookworm.
BRASS BAND
Rehearsals: Thursday 19:00 - 21:00 pm, Auditorium
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The University of Bristol Brass Band is a friendly, sociable and hardworking non- auditioned ensemble, welcoming brass (standard brass band instruments + trumpets) and percussion players of all standards. The Band holds a number of concerts throughout the academic year, the highlight of which is competing at UniBrass in February, the annual inter-university brass band contest (in recent years we have won awards such as most entertaining band and most innovative program). The Band also has regular socials after rehearsals. In previous years, the band has been lucky enough to have workshops led by Philip Harper, conductor of the Cory Band, as well as sectionals led by section principals. If you would like to improve your playing and musicianship in a fun and low-pressure ensemble, join Brass Band on Thursday evenings in the Victoria Rooms Auditorium!
If you have any questions, please contact the manager at: BUMSbrassband@outlook.com
Meet the Conductor: Ed Cheung
Edward is a 2nd Year Physics and Philosophy Student from London. He started playing violin, piano and tenor horn at age 7, though he is now primarily a trumpet and violin player. Previously, he attended the junior department of the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance for five years and the South London Youth Orchestra. You can also catch him at the JFS Jam Nights, in the Bristol Big Band Society and other classical music ensembles in the university. Brass band is his first time conducting a large ensemble and he would like to tackle a varied repertoire of both traditional and contemporary pieces this year.
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STRING ORCHESTRA
Rehearsals: Wednesday 17:00 - 18:30, Recital Room
String orchestra is a fun and exciting ensemble open to all string players without the pressures of auditions or intensive practice regimes. Violin, viola, cello, and double bass players are welcome to join as we strive to play challenging and engaging music to a high standard. Our repertoire is always varied, drawing on music of all genres. Players have the opportunity to showcase their work in 3 concerts over the year. If you want to play in a sociable and quality ensemble, join us on Wednesday evenings in the Recital Room in the Victoria Rooms!
If you have any questions please contact the manager at: BUMSstrings@outlook.com
​Meet the Conductor: Ryan Power
Ryan Power is a second year music student, specialising in composition and musicology. Ryan’s personal interests include Early 20th Century Opera and Contemporary Music, demonstrated on his score Youtube Channel, which has amassed over 2.7 million views and been used in educational institutions worldwide. Besides this, he is also a keen conductor, having directed Bath University String Orchestra for 2 years. Ryan has extensive performance experience as a violinist in groups like the London Schools Symphony Orchestra and Odyssey Festival Orchestra, in venues such as the Barbican and the Wilderness Festival Atrium Stage, as well as leading Bristol Classical Players and Bristol Symphony Orchestra. As a composer, he has written for members of the Royal Academy of Music, and recently had an orchestral piece premiered by Avon Concordia. In his spare time, Ryan enjoys discovering new music, going for walks in nature, and reading.
FLUTE CHOIR
Rehearsals: Friday 17:00 - 19:00, Recital Room
​Flute Choir is a fun and sociable ensemble. We are an un-auditioned ensemble and welcome flautists of all abilities to join our ever-growing group. We have a variety of challenging and easier parts, with additional opportunities to try out the piccolo and alto flute. Join our friendly community every Friday evening at the Victoria rooms as a great way to wind down from the week!
Meet the Conductor: Yasmin Hussain
Yasmin is a second year student studying English Literature. She began playing the violin at five and joined Northamptonshire's Junior Strings at nine, going on to play in the Youth Orchestra and String Orchestra. She later began playing the flute and joined the Youth Concert Band. Yasmin also has a love for chamber music and has enjoyed playing in a range of ensembles in Northampton and Bristol. At university, Yasmin has loved being a member of the music society and has played in numerous groups, including the Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra. Beyond music, Yasmin can be found on morning runs or reading outdoors with a coffee.
MINERVA CHOIR
Rehearsals: Tuesday 17.00 to 18.30, Auditorium, Victoria Rooms
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Looking for a fun, sociable and relaxed chance to sing and make musical friends? Minerva Choir is BUMS' un-auditioned choir, welcoming singers of all abilities and backgrounds united by a love of singing. Whether you're a newbie who's convinced you can't sing, or a seasoned pro ready to sing your heart out, come along to sing a mix of
pop songs, classical pieces and hymns. Take a break from the stress of uni life every Tuesday and come sing with us!
Meet the Conductor: Reuben West
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Reuben is a second year Mathematics student, pianist, harpist and singer. A member of last year’s University Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Choir, he has also played with Chamber Orchestra, Symphonia Symphony Orchestra, Symphonic Winds and Wind Orchestra, and was assistant musical director for last year’s production of The Phantom Of The Opera in Concert. Within and outside university he has played in numerous chamber ensembles and pit bands, accompanied soloists, and served as a rehearsal pianist for various productions, as well as performing as a soloist in recitals and competitions, and singing in churches and cathedrals around the country.
CLARINET CHOIR
Rehearsals: Friday 17.00 to 19.00, Victoria's Room
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Clarinet Choir is BUMS’ newest ensemble! Formed in 2024, Clarinet Choir is open to players of all levels, offering a relaxed atmosphere as well as opportunities for you to improve. We play all sorts of music – from arrangements of well-known classical pieces to swing and more modern experiments, that is accessible for all! Come along for the fun rehearsals, great music and free biscuits!
If you have any questions please contact the manager at: BUMSclarinetchoir@outlook.com
Meet the Conductor: Lucas Dick
Lucas Dick is a third year clarinettist at the University of Bristol. As a soloist and chamber musician, Lucas has played works such as Francaix’s Clarinet Concerto at St Georges’ Bristol, and the Mozart Clarinet Concerto at Southwark Cathedral. As an orchestral performer, he was a member of the National Youth Orchestra between 2021 and 2024, and was principal clarinettist in his final year. More recently, Lucas has explored conducting, having conducted Arias with the Bristol Operatic/Symphonia Societies and conducing the Flute Choir on last year’s Bilbao tour. Lucas is thankful to Charlie Kay for helping to create the Clarinet Choir last year.
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