After their sold-out performance of Rachmaninoff’s Second Symphony in 2024, the 85-piece Palatinate Orchestra returns for its annual Durham Cathedral concert with the composer’s resplendent Third Piano Concerto.

Seen by many as the pinnacle of Rachmaninoff's career as a composer, the concerto is known for its high romance, soaring melodies and complexity, and has a reputation as one of the most technically challenging piano concertos in the standard classical repertoire.

Join the Palatinate Ensemble for an evening of joyous music-making, featuring works by Brahms, Schubert and more!

Join DU Classical Ensemble for "Awakening", a journey from winter’s chill to the joy of spring, featuring works by Corelli, Vivaldi, Gluck and culminating with Beethoven’s uplifting Pastoral Symphony.

Join Durham University Chamber Choir for O Great Beyond, showcasing Thomas LaVoy’s three-movement work alongside moving pieces that confront themes of love, death, and eternity.

First performed in 1830, Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique takes the audience on a journey through the life of an artist. The entire work is permeated by the ‘idée fixe’, a melody symbolising the woman Berlioz had fallen in love with.

Experience an Epiphany of your own at Gospel Choir’s Epiphany Showcase: “Harmony Without Borders” Hear toe-tapping Gospel classics and well-known songs infused with rousing gospel harmonies.

Featuring the sunny sound of Felix Mendelssohn’s wonderful ‘Italian Symphony’, based on his voyage through the country, as well as Gerald Finzi’s virtuosic and melodic Clarinet Concerto with soloist James Riley.

This concert also includes a world premiere of Durham student Ella Stephens’ composition describing the flow of a river from source to sea and Anna Clyne’s folk-inspired and modern PIVOT.

Described by the Guardian as possessing a "gloriously warm and finely balanced sound" at their concert at the Glasshouse International Centre for Music, Durham University Choral Society and conductor John Forsyth MBE present an energetic programme of Baroque works in the magnificent surroundings of Newcastle Cathedral.

A musical theatre concert featuring Durham University Hill Orchestra performing a selection of musical theatre hits, accompanied by incredible live singers.

As part of our ongoing series of monthly events, on 14 March 2025 (5pm UK time), we welcome the US-based Hindustani classical vocalist and teacher, Arijit Mahalanabis, for a Zoom demonstration on the structure, form, and function of dhrupad. Mr. Mahalanabis will be joined by Kishan Patel on the pakhavaj and Rishi Bhattacharyya on the esraj.

Join DU Classical Ensemble for "Awakening", a journey from winter’s chill to the joy of spring, featuring works by Corelli, Vivaldi, Gluck and culminating with Beethoven’s uplifting Pastoral Symphony.

Durham University Concert Band is proud to present Folklore, an evening of thrilling musical numbers including folk tunes from around the world.

Tap your feet to highlights from Lord of the Dance and you'll get to experience English Folk Song Suite, one of our entries to this year's National Concert Band Festival. We also take you around the world with Arirang and Akatonbu, beautifully combining beloved Korean and Japanese folk tunes.

The annual Concerto Concert is now back with more performers! Featuring concerto and sonata movements from Rachmaninoff, Mozart, Franck and much more!

Three highly-respected jazz musicians from across the UK come together for this special collaboration with Durham University Jazz Society. Expect a programme of hard-swinging jazz, ballads, and bossa-nova, drawing on the American Songbook tradition. Later in the evening, trio will become quartet, with the addition of Durham University Finalist Freddie Krone on drums!

Foot Notes and DUBB present their first ever collaboration concert featuring highlights from both groups’ 2024/25 sets, and collaborative numbers ranging from Gene Puerling to Ēriks Ešenvalds.

Durham University’s Barbershop Choir, Full Score, invite you to ‘Livin' la Vida Boater!’ their Epiphany term concert. They will be singing Disney classics, heart-wrenching ballads, nostalgic melodies, and Barbershop favourites.

Jazz Society's annual charity ball unites Durham's jazz community for a night of music and giving. Proceeds from tickets and a raffle will go to St Cuthbert's Hospice, a local charity which provides free care and support to people with life-limiting illnesses, people approaching the end of life and people that are bereaved. Following a delicious three course meal, guests will enjoy entertainment from a variety of the university's finest jazz musicians. Whether you prefer bop to Buddy Rich or simply delight in Duke Ellington, don't miss this chance to jazz up your term for a great cause!

Join the reigning double-UK Champions of A Cappella, along with their Durham University A Cappella friends, for a night of outstanding vocals in the Gala Durham.

Northern Lights return to home turf from their first-round of International Competition of Collegiate A Cappella to perform a night toe-tapping tunes and tight choreography alongside Foot Notes A Cappella, Full Score, and Durham Dynamics for an evening of pop songs, choral repertoire and even some barbershop fun.

The Raga Appreciation Society at Durham University (RASAD) invites you to our monthly student-led event.

This month’s theme is “Rasa and Resonance: Female Emotions as Sonic Gestures in Thumri” and will feature a captivating demonstration by Mazha S Muhammed, an exchange PhD student, Hindustani singer, and ethnomusicologist. She will be accompanied by Dilip Chaggar, on the tabla. 

Described by the Guardian as possessing a choral sound that is “gloriously warm and finely balanced”, Durham University Choral Society and conductor John Forsyth MBE present a sublime programme of music exploring the undulating nature of the sea and the ever-changing palette of the sky, through the music of some of the most romantic composers, including Donald Fraser’s choral arrangement of Elgar’s popular Sea Pictures and Lauridsen’s Nocturnes.

Step into the elegance of Vienna with an evening of Austrian music with Durham University's Classical Ensemble at St Oswald’s Church!

Settle beneath the stars in the century-old setting of Elvet Methodist Church to tones of timeless Christmas classics. Durham University Brass Band and Durham University Concert Band will collaborate to bring to life a vibrant array of music from the haunting melodies of O Holy Night and The Snowman to Leroy Anderson’s Sleigh Ride and the twist on the English classic, God Rest ye Merry Cha Cha Men

Durham Dynamics presents their annual A Cappella Christmas concert, mixing your favourite Christmas hits with modern pop arrangements for a festive, music filled night!

All I want for Christmas… is some festive a cappella! Presenting a diverse selection of a cappella, there is truly something for everyone to enjoy.

Join Durham University Big Band and Durham University Jazz Orchestra for their yearly Jazzy Christmas charity gig at the Assembly Rooms Theatre for an evening of festive classics, blazing solos and Christmas cheer!

Highlighting music that normally accompany a stage performance. This includes Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde (a tragic love story) and Tchaikovsky Sleeping Beauty depicting the lilac fairy and puss-in-boots.

Join Durham University Choral Society in partnership with DU Wine Society for a night of festive favourites and mulled wine!

Join Durham University Chamber Choir for The Waiting Sky, a captivating concert featuring a program of British and European choral music that reflects on winter’s beauty, hope, and spiritual anticipation.

Join DUPO Symphony Orchestra in their first concert of the year - an engaging journey through history, with some timeless classics from Sibelius, Elgar and Wagner!

Come celebrate the festive season with Gospel Choir at our Michaelmas Showcase: “Exultation! A Christmas Celebration!” Hear toe-tapping Gospel classics and well-known Christmas favourites infused with rousing gospel harmonies.