Explore our Orchestras
Hill Orchestra
Hill Orchestra is Durham’s only non auditioned student orchestra, performing a range of music from film scores to classical hits including Sibelius’ Finlandia. Every year, Hill Orchestra perform multiple times in Durham’s historic venues such as the Castle Great Hall, St Oswald’s Church and more.
DUHO has an exceptional social scene throughout the year, with imaginative and fun socials taking place multiple times a term. As a social and non auditioned orchestra, Hill Orchestra is a truly inclusive orchestra at Durham University.
Presidents: Eloise Robinson and Heather McCaughan
Email: hill.orchestra@durham.ac.uk
Orchestral Society
Formed in 1965, the Orchestral society is Durham University’s oldest orchestra, and one of its leading music societies – performing some of the most ambitious repertoire in the University. Encompassing both a symphony and chamber orchestra, DUOS has a busy programme of concerts, events, and tours each academic year, regularly performing in Durham Cathedral, Gala Theatre, and Town Hall.
DUOS also collaborates with other societies including Durham University Choral Society, previously performing large scale works like Mozart’s Requiem, Beethoven 9, and will soon be performing Verdi’s Requiem in the Durham Cathedral.
Both orchestras are led by student conductors, who gain valuable experience and podium time. Past conductors have gone onto further study at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, the Royal College of Music, and have been Britten Pears Young Artists. Over the year, DUOS also offers an exciting programme of masterclasses with leading conductors, esteemed Alumni, and professional orchestral musicians from around the UK to mentor our members and conductors.
Presidents: Ottavia Eliot and Olivia McClintock
Conductors: Michael Kohn and Zac Smith
Email: orchestral.society@durham.ac.uk
Palatinate Orchestra
Durham University Palatinate Orchestra is one of Durham's leading orchestral societies, with an exciting yearly programme of concerts, outreach and tours (most recently to Paris, Berlin and Prague). Emphasising high quality music, the orchestra has a fantastic social scene and regularly engages in outreach opportunities for local schools as well as performances in HMP Durham. The orchestra also works with professional conductors, providing their student conductors with incisive coaching.
DUPO encompasses an elite Symphony Orchestra and a newly reformed Palatinate Ensemble - an elite group which focuses on performing a variety of smaller repertoire to a high standard within a relaxed working atmosphere. The ensemble gives musicians the opportunity to rehearse and perform both as a conducted chamber ensemble, and in smaller chamber groups (e.g., string quartets, wind and brass quintets, mixed trios). We aim to offer opportunities for these smaller chamber groups to perform at various events both within and outside the university.
President: Will Bellaries
Conductors: Barney Howard and George Hayden
Email: palatinate.orchestra@durham.ac.uk
Classical Ensemble
The Classical Ensemble performs a range of repertoire from the baroque and classical periods as an intimate chamber orchestra. They focus on repertoire written prior to 1832, and enjoy exploring diverse repertoire from this time period. Recent concerts included works by JS Bach, Fanny Mendelssohn and Franz Schubert, alongside many lesser known works.
Whilst they have a focus on historically informed performance, DUCE often plays student compositions and works inspired by the baroque and classical musical periods. Alongside this, DUCE provides opportunities to instrumental and vocal soloists to perform concertos or song with orchestra.
Presidents: Ella Stephens and Charlie Linekar
Conductor: Ed Clark
Email: classical.ensemble@durham.ac.uk
Dunelm Consort and Players
Dunelm Consort & Players is the university’s early music ensemble, performing works from the medieval, baroque, and early classical periods. Dunelm is unique in its nature, running as a project based ensemble, and inviting members to perform in each project. This means that Dunelm is dynamic in its make-up, and is able to perform various works different lineups across the year.
Dunelm has recently worked with the Bishop’s Consort and David Stancliffe in a performance of Bach’s St John Passion, and has benefitted from masterclasses with Robert Hollingworth, James Weeks, and Exaudi. These opportunities have benefitted members, many of whom have gone on to further study at conservatoire and have performed with Genesis Sixteen and more.
Having performed Handel’s Messiah and Purcell’s King Arthur in an acclaimed 2025/26 season, an exciting season awaits for Dunelm Consort, including a performance of JS Bach’s Christmas Oratorio in December 2026. It is open for both instrumentalists and vocalists.
This ensemble is also included in the Vocal Groups section.
President: Bronwen Roberts
Conductor: Zac Smith
Email: dunelm.consort@durham.ac.uk