Upcoming events
Together in Song
Full Score Barbershop Choir and Durham University's Gospel Choir present 'Together in Song', a unique celebration of harmony, uniting fun, diverse music styles!
Enigma Variations
Join the Orchestral Society’s Symphony Orchestra for their first concert of the year, featuring Elgar’s Enigma Variations alongside works by Ruth Gipps, Mussorgsky, and Gershwin.
Underneath the Tree
Foot Notes warmly presents you our annual Christmas concert - Underneath the Tree! 🎄
Step into the Christmas spirit with us for an enchanting evening filled with festive melodies and joyous harmonies.
A Festive Evening with Durham Dynamics
Celebrate this festive season with Durham Dynamics as we blend iconic pop classics and festive tunes into one unforgettable A Cappella evening!
'O Radiant Dawn
Join Durham University Chamber Choir in an evening which explores the expectation and preparation for light and celebrates its glory and power in an array of exciting and reflective choral music, sung by the University's most celebrated choral ensemble.
Jazzy Christmas
Join Durham University's Big Band and Jazz Orchestra for an evening of jazz in the name of Christmas: bop to Bublé, sway to Sinatra, marvel at Mingus!
Voices of the New Era
Join the Palatinate Ensemble for their first concert of the year - a journey through the 20th century featuring works by Gustav Holst, Jean Absil, and more!
'Tis the Seasons
Hill Orchestra invites you to join us at Elvet Methodist Church, on Sunday the 7th December, for our Michaelmas concert, 'Tis the Seasons, for an evening of classical Christmas-themed music.
Mendelssohn's Elijah
The Durham University Classical Ensemble performs Mendelssohn’s thrilling Oratorio, Elijah. With a full chorus and both professional and student soloists, DUCE tells the story of Elijah’s life.
Liszt's Rhapsody and Other Legends
Durham University Palatinate Orchestra’s Symphony Orchestra presents an evening of brilliant rhapsodies and legends, including Liszt’s ‘Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2’, Sibelius’s ‘Lemminkäinen Suite’ and music by Rossini and Glazunov.
Handel's Messiah
Dunelm Consort and Players presents Handel’s Messiah, an unmissable Christmas classic conducted by renowned conductor Gianluca Marcianò.
A Merry Little Concert
Join Durham University Concert Band and Durham University Brass Band in spreading yuletide cheer at their annual Christmas collaboration concert at Elvet Methodist Church.
Conducted by Tomos Haine, Oscar Bovenizer and Timothy Tsang, this concert celebrates everything Christmas; featuring music from Prokofiev's 'Troika', to the overture from 'The Muppets Christmas Carol', and of course plenty of traditional carols and seasonal pop tunes!
Verdi Requiem
'oin Durham University's Orchestral and Choral Societies this January to experience the power of Verdi’s Requiem, bringing to life its soaring melodies, thunderous drama and moments of sublime stillness. Conducted by Tim Burke (Musical Director for the Royal Northern Sinfonia Chorus), this monumental work promises an evening of profound emotion and breathtaking music that forms one of the most special nights of the Performing Arts calendar.
Retro to Remix
Get ready for a vocal spectacular as the internationally award-winning Northern Lights (five time UK A Cappella Champions) are joined by Foot Notes, Full Score and Durham Dynamics to light up the stage with their brand-new show, Retro to Remix — a genre-defying journey through the greatest hits of the past and present. From the soothing Soul sounds of Marvin Gaye, to the soaring brilliance of Queen, and the fierce pop power of Lady Gaga with everything in between, this show reinvents the classics with pitch-perfect harmonies, bold arrangements, and electrifying energy.
Presented as part of Durham Vocal Festival, Retro to Remix promises to create a feel-good atmosphere that will have you smiling all night long.
Tickets £14 (£12 concession), £10 under 25s
Midsummer's Soundscape
Join Durham University Orchestral Society's Chamber Orchestra for the society's first concert of the year bringing a vibrant programme of Poulenc, Mendelssohn and Mozart to Durham's historic St Oswald's Church.
Dona Nobis Pacem
Join Durham University Choral Society for their inaugural performance of the season, bringing the reverence of Vaughan Williams' "Dona Nobis Pacem" and the radiance of Poulenc's "Gloria" to the stage of Newcastle Cathedral alongside a 60-piece orchestra and distinguished soloists Samuel Davie and Mathilde Brun.
Kaleidoscope
Durham University Concert Band are excited to present their Michaelmas concert, Kaleidoscope - a colourful assortment of musical styles, from Latin American rhythm to movie soundtracks and more!
An Invitation to the Opera
Durham Opera Ensemble and Durham University Palatinate Orchestra present a showcase concert including overtures, arias, duets and choruses from your favourite operas in the magical Great Hall of Durham Castle!
Autumn Lights
Join us for a cosy autumnal journey through a range of brass band tunes in the beautiful setting of St Oswald's Church.
An Evening of (High) Standards
Durham University Jazz Society is thrilled to announce the return of our annual 'Evening of Standards', providing audiences a high-quality range of jazz staples, lesser-known pieces, and contemporary bangers, all performed by some of the most impressive musicians in the university community. From Charlie Parker to Emma Rawicz, this is sure to be a worthy continuation of a fantastic JazzSoc tradition.
I Was Glad
Join the Chapel Choirs of Durham University as they come together in Durham School Chapel for a summer evening of beautiful and uplifting choral music, raising money in support of local mental health charity RTMinds.
Sounds of the Solstice
Join Durham University Brass Band for a celestial midsummer matinee as their final concert of the academic year.
Packed with a myriad of melodies from the '50s and '60s classics of 'Singing in the Rain' and 'A Ticket to Ride' to timeless brass band essentials, Sounds of the Solstice celebrates the close of a vibrant year of brass banding.
Durham Jazz Fest!
This year, Durham University Performing Arts invites you celebrate a day of Jazz! We have brought together some of the best jazz ensembles Durham has to offer, for our day-festival 'Jazz Fest'.
And So it Goes
Come celebrate a fantastic year of music-making with Foot Notes A Cappella's final concert of the year in Durham, showcasing Foot Notes favourites old and new!
Under the Greenwood Tree
Join Durham University Chamber Choir for Under the Greenwood Tree, a lyrical journey through British poetry and music, exploring Shakespeare, love, memory, and the natural world.
After Hours: Misch and Dayes
Join us for an evening of Yussef Dayes and Tom Misch, brought to life by JazzSoc’s finest musicians!
Swan Lake
Join Durham University Palatinate Orchestra for their final concert of the 2024/2025 academic year! Featuring Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake Suite and Barber's Knoxville - Summer of 1915, this concert is not one to miss!
Concert Band on Tour!
Join Concert Band for a vibrant musical journey of global sounds and beloved classics - from the soulful Arirang and Akatonbo and the lively Amparito Roca to the iconic Copacabana!
A Night in Paris
Join Durham University Hill Orchestra as we present our final concert of the year - a vibrant programme of Bizet's Carmen Suite No.2 and Saint-Saens' Piano Concerto No.5 featuring soloist Junya Ogawa, as well as small ensembles from the orchestra.
Hats Off!
Join Full Score Barbershop Choir on Monday 16th June in Kingsgate Bar, SU as they blow your 'Hats Off' in an evening of close harmony and barbershop favourites in a relaxed, informal setting.
Featuring their Edinburgh Fringe repertoire, this is not one to miss!
The Power of the Voice: Artistry, Identity and Black Excellence
The day includes a vocal coaching workshop, an inspiring talk on the journey to success, and a Q&A with Mark de Lisser on navigating the music industry as a Black creative.
Ceremony and Celebration
Join Durham University Classical Ensemble on the 15th of June at Elvet Methodist Church for Ceremony and Celebration, featuring works by Bach, Handel, Mozart and Mendelssohn in a festive end-of-year summer concert.
Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto
Join Durham University Orchestral Society for a programme of favourites from the classical world in Elvet Methodist Church.
Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony
Join Durham University Orchestral Society in the beautiful Durham Cathedral for the climactic enormity of Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony.
Palatinate Awards
Durham University Performing Arts invites you to an evening of celebration and entertainment to recognise the achievements of the outstanding members of our theatre and music community.
After Hours: Yusuf Dayes & Tom Misch
Join us for an evening of Yussef Dayes and Tom Misch, brought to life by JazzSoc’s finest musicians!
Let There Be Light
Join Durham University for its annual summer concert, showcasing the very best of student performing arts talent. Exploring the luminous experience of ‘Let There Be Light’, the concert takes the audience on a journey of hope and discovery through some of the world’s best stories, featuring choirs, orchestras, bands, and musical theatre.
Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No 3
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.
Spring Melodies
Join the Palatinate Ensemble for an evening of joyous music-making, featuring works by Brahms, Schubert and more!
Awakening: Music from Winter to Spring
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.
O Great Beyond
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.
Symphonie Fantastique
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.
Harmony Beyond Borders
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.
Mendelssohn's Italian Symphony
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.