Our Team
Email: student.music@durham.ac.uk
James Grout
President | Durham Student Music
James is a current third year Music student at the University. He is a keen drummer, directing and performing in ‘Cache Out’, one of the leading student function bands in Durham. He enjoys performing in a Ceilidh band and is involved in the impressive jazz scene at the university, having served as the publicity officer for the DU Jazz Society in the 2023/2024 academic year. On Sunday nights, he frequents the Jazz Jam Sessions at Fabio’s, organised by the Jazz Society. Alongside his role as Durham Student Music President, James is looking forward to taking on the role as Musical Director of the Durham University Jazz Orchestra this year.
Sam Armstrong
Vice-President | Durham Student Music
Sam is a second year from Northumberland, currently studying Maths at Durham. He has enjoyed playing with the Durham University Big Band and will join them next year as Outreach Officer, as well as his role in Durham Student Music. He has also played in various musical theatre productions such as last year’s Gala show ‘Anything Goes’, as well as playing at many more formal events with ‘The Quays’, Durham’s oldest student function band.
Archie Kneeshaw
Treasurer | Durham Student Music
Archie is a current fourth year Maths student at Trevelyan College. He has loved his time at Durham and has been involved in lots of music-making. He has been a member of the Durham University Big Band as the drummer for two years and then stepped into the role of Musical Director in his third year, which he LOVED. He was the principal percussionist and timpanist for Durham University Orchestral Society, which he also LOVED. Additionally, he is quite active on the Jazz Society scene, performing in five After Hours sessions. He also actively runs The Quays, one of Durham’s leading function bands - get in contact for any bookings!
Lowri Carter
Publicity Officer | Durham Student Music
Lowri is a current third-year Music student at Durham. During her time as the president of Hill Orchestra 23/24, she found a love for social media. She loves to campaign for various causes and through her time at Durham University Lowri has raised over £1000 for charities; including the RAF Benevolent Fund, Marie Curie and more. Lowri jokingly states that if she is not in the university practice rooms (where she claims to spend most of her life in), she is in Hill Orchestra rehearsals on Saturdays, or rehearsals for a newly formed band - keep your eyes peeled! Along with her publicity role at Durham Student Music, Lowri will be conducting a new Jazz ensemble at John Snow Music Society and working part-time at Babylon!
Ruby Alexander
Outreach Officer | Durham Student Music
Ruby is in her third year studying Geography and this is her second year as Durham Student Music Outreach Officer. She is responsible for facilitating and developing the outreach activities of all music societies. Ruby is a classical singer, and sings with a number of choirs including Durham University Choral Society, Durham Cathedral Consort of Singers and several college chapel choirs. She has been involved with Durham Opera Ensemble since her first year, playing Belinda in Dido and Aeneas, Josephine in HMS Pinafore and serving as Welfare Officer in 2023-2024. This year she is excited to be taking on the role of President and looks forward to continuing to build on the incredible legacy of opera in Durham. Outside of university she sings with the National Youth Choir, Rodolfus Choir and London Philharmonic Choir, and keeps up her flute playing in her spare time.
Janathan Karunakaran
Welfare Officer | Durham Student Music
Janathan is a master’s student in Economics and Finance at Durham University. Alongside his academic work, he is an accomplished musician who plays guitar in Cache Out, one of Durham’s leading function bands, and drums in the Durham University Jazz Orchestra. As the President of the Jazz Orchestra, Janathan is dedicated to enhancing the university’s music scene and ensuring the orchestra has the best opportunities and resources available.
Harriet Dunne
Social Secretary | Durham Student Music
Harriet is a third-year Geography Student at Durham and this year’s Durham Student Music’s Social Secretary. She plays the tenor saxophone in the Durham University Big Band. Having previously served as their Vice-President and Treasurer, she is now the current Social Secretary and Welfare Officer. Last year, she was a member of Big Ears, a student function band in Durham that played at exciting events like Castle College’s June Ball. Harriet also loves singing at various gigs throughout the term, such as the Jazz Society’s Jam Sessions at Fabio’s on Sunday nights and The GrAle Soul Sessions at The Holy GrAle.
Lewis Wilkinson
Manager | Durham University Performing Arts
Lewis is from Durham, and graduated with a music degree from Durham University in 2016. He was then a brass instrumental music teacher with Durham Music Service before completing his Master’s degree in Conducting from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Outside of his work with Durham University Performing Arts, Lewis has a busy and varied portfolio career as a conductor, sousaphonist, trombonist and actor. He is particularly passionate about the cultural and creative links that can be cultivated between the university and its wider community.
Nicholas Frangoudi
Student Music Co-ordinator |Classical and Traditional
Nicholas is a recent Maths graduate, alongside having been involved with a wide range of music societies. These include orchestras, concert band, brass band, jazz bands and more. He was heavily involved with Durham Student Music as a student, being the treasurer for two years running. He is currently a tuba player in a Fishburn brass band.
In his role, Nicholas provides support and advice to orchestras, choirs, and all other instrumental & traditional groups.
Hannah Foster
Student Music Co-ordinator | Jazz and Commercial
Hannah is a recent Music graduate at Durham. Alongside competing in Durham’s flagship a cappella group, Northern Lights, Hannah has made her mark as a Decolonising the Curriculum Intern for the Music Department, and took further initiatives as an EDI student representative, while also working as an EDI Intern at a company called Pro: North East. Hannah has explored her love for performing arts by performing in bands like Big Ears and The GrAle Soul Sessions, and in the musical Kinky Boots. While completing her final year, Hannah also worked as the Interviews Manager at Purple Radio and as a Music Editor at Palatinate. Now, Hannah will be singing with The Quays – one of Durham’s leading function bands – and will continue to perform with The GrAle Soul Sessions, including working on the Music Department’s EDI board.
In her role, Hannah provides support, advice and resources to jazz groups, a cappella groups, commercial performers, gospel singers and all other commercial or jazz ensembles/individual performers.