Music Making
Performance is central to the work of the Music Department at Sheffield. A constant theme of our teaching is the interaction between music as a subject for academic study and music as a 'practised´ living art, and our aim is to foster a culture of active student involvement in all aspects of practical music-making. The Department has a long tradition of high quality student performance. We promote a professional concert series featuring international artists, weekly lunchtime concerts, a Summer Music Festival, and performances of opera and music theatre.
The Director of Performance is the pianist Mary Dullea, leader of the Fidelio Trio and specialist in contemporary piano performance. The Sheffield based international Ensemble 360 is ensemble-in-residence and the tabla and santoor player John Ball is World Music performer-in-residence. They play a large part in developing performance through masterclasses and workshops.
Music Department Ensembles
University Orchestra
Open to all students of the University, the Orchestra performs two major concerts each year. Rehearsals take place on Mondays, 7.30–9.30, in Firth Hall.
Auditions are held on the first Monday of the first semester each year.
Wind Orchestra
Auditioned annually and open to all students in the University, the Wind Orchestra performs two major concerts each year, takes part in the National Concert Band Festival, and regularly undertakes short European concert tours. Rehearsals take place on Thursdays, 7.30–9.30, in Firth Hall. Auditions are held on the first Monday of Semester 1 – as for the Orchestra above.
Sheffield University Wind Orchestra Website
Chamber Orchestra
Rehearsals take place on Wednesday afternoons in the Department of Music.
email : g.nicholson@sheffield.ac.uk
Chamber Choir
This auditioned choir has regular performances throughout the year. Rehearsals take place on Wednesday afternoons in the Department of Music.
email : a.f.bennett@sheffield.ac.uk
New Music Ensemble
The invited group directed by George Nicholson that programmes premières of students works and contemporary classics in concerts during the year.
email : g.nicholson@sheffield.ac.uk
Opera
The Department has mounted a number of full-scale opera productions, which included Orpheus in the Underworld, Xerxes, The Seven Deadly Sins (Weill) and Hansel and Gretel.
Improvisation Group – 'Collective Impulses'
A student-run group with equal emphasis on innovation and enjoyment. Regular performances and the opportunity to gain experience of running workshops. Open to ALL: this means everyone with an instrument and an imagination. Director Jac McKeigue
email : muq07jmm@shef.ac.uk
World Music Performance Groups
Performance groups grow out of the exciting world music scene in the Department. World music performer-in-residence John Ball offers a module on tabla performance on Wednesdays from 9-11 am in Semester 1. The African ensemble Sangano, led by Leman Mirazi and Claudia Krueger, features mbira and accompanying instruments. Research schedule for 2007-2008 to be determined. Modules and workshops on other instruments also form part of the course. Contact Jonathan Stock or Kathleen Van Buren for more details.
email : j.p.j.stock@sheffield.ac.uk
email : k.j.vanburen@sheffield.ac.uk
Clarinet and Flute Choirs
These have regular weekly rehearsals from Week 2 and all players of these instruments are invited to play. Contact Tony Houghton to register your interest and for more details.
email : a.houghton@sheffield.ac.uk
Student and Union Ensembles
Sheffield Jazz Orchestra
SJO has been running for two years under the direction of several local pro musicians performing all over Sheffield in festivals, pubs and bars and at Jazz clubs. The Band plays a variety of contemporary and Latin Big Band charts and rehearses every Wednesday night during term time at the Music Department. For information about vacancies contact Nick Fletcher.
email : nfornick@gmail.com
University Singers´ Society
Open to all students of the University without audition, the University Singers´ Society performs the larger choral repertoire, often with the University Orchestra. Rehearsals take place on Thursdays, 7.30–9.30, in a central University location, details from the Students´ Union.
Chamber music opportunities
All students are encouraged to form small ensembles leading to performance for which there are many concert and workshop opportunities. Tuition and guidance sessions can be arranged with Mary Dullea, Tony Houghton and also Ensemble 360. Initially contact Tony for help or practical advice.
email : m.dullea@sheffield.ac.uk
email : a.houghton@sheffield.ac.uk
Department Instruments
The Department of Music owns a large collection of instruments for the use of students and ensembles. The collection includes orchestral percussion instruments, double basses, Baroque and period string instruments, a range of wind instruments and world instruments. Requests to borrow instruments should be directed initially to Jo Burrows, the Departmental Secretary.
email : j.m.burrows@sheffield.ac.uk