Meet our societies
With over 30 music societies operating at university level and countless others within colleges, there is something for everyone to get involved in. You can explore orchestral music, choral singing, world music and so much more!
A Cappella Groups
A Cappella is a big part of musical life at Durham, with 4 A Cappella groups. All 4 groups perform regularly in Durham at concerts and events around Durham. Our flagship competitive A Cappella group, Northern Lights, recently travelled to New York to compete in the final of the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella!
Instrumental Ensembles
Our Brass and Concert bands both have excellent social scenes and often tour around the UK to competitions, and to Europe. As well as this, they have some of the most fun concerts in Durham, with their annual joint Christmas concert!
Choirs
Our choral scene is second to none, with our outstanding university level Chamber Choir and Choral Society, and 8 chapel choirs within our colleges. Colleges also offer a range of opportunities to get involved in choral music without audition.
Jazz
Jazz thrives in Durham, with our award winning university Big Band featuring at Pizza Express Jazz Nights in London, weekly jazz jams at Fabio’s bar organised by our Jazz Society, and so many other performance opportunities with university and college ensembles.
Orchestras
4 orchestral societies provide instrumentalists with 6 orchestras to play in, each conducted by students! Operating at all levels, they regularly perform in incredible venues, offer masterclasses and tour internationally.
Rock and Pop
Durham has a vibrant new music scene with various network societies, including Open Mic Society, where students can meet other likeminded musicians, forming bands, organising gigs and more.
Small Ensemble and Solo Performance
Durham University offers a variety of performance opportunities for solo performers in Music Durham concerts, showcases and recitals. Groups including our Dunelm Consort & Players focus on small group performance, both vocal and instrumental.
Stage
Under Durham Student Theatre, there are several opportunities for performing in musicals, operas and more on a college and pan-university level, with opportunities for both singers and instrumentalists.
Visit Durham Student Theatre to find out more about DST!
World Music
In conjunction with the academic Music Department, we offer opportunities to engage with world music, including Indian Classical Music, Korean Folk music traditions and Indonesian Gamelan.
Durham Student Music
Durham Student Music the umbrella society for all music societies within Durham University. They offer social opportunities alongside Music Durham concert series,’ music festivals and so much more!