Nottingham’s universities welcome BBC Concert Orchestra for collaborative Residency Week celebrating Nottingham: A City of Rebels
The world-renowned BBC Concert Orchestra returns to Nottingham this May for a residency week with Nottingham Trent University (NTU) and the University of Nottingham (UoN), culminating in the premiere and professional recording of new orchestral film works created by students from both universities.
By Sarah McLeod | Published on 11 May 2026
Categories: Press office; NTU Arts;
Now in its third year, the collaborative project brings together NTU students working in film, animation, graphic design and filmmaking with Department of Music students from the University of Nottingham, who have composed original orchestral scores in response to the films. The works will be brought to life by an ensemble of musicians from the BBC Concert Orchestra, conducted by internationally renowned conductor Ben Palmer.
This year's theme, Nottingham: A City of Rebels, inspired a series of striking and thought-provoking responses from students, exploring themes including resilience, rebellion, determination and personal discovery.
A professional recording session will take place on 14 May at Lakeside Arts’ Djanogly Theatre, where the students’ new works will be recorded by members of the orchestra. NTU students will also take part in the recording process, gaining hands-on experience of working in a professional orchestral recording environment.
The residency week culminates in a public concert on 15 May at Lakeside Arts’ Djanogly Theatre, featuring the first public screening and live performance of 11 original new works created through the collaboration. Tickets are still available.
In a new initiative for 2026, the performances will be presented by students from each institution, who have received professional coaching as part of the project. Zahra Fatima (NTU) and Jennifer Pilbeam (UoN) will act as presenters, piloting a new form of career development opportunity embedded within the partnership programme. .
Amy Bere, Director of Culture at Nottingham Trent University, said: “This residency continues to be an extraordinary opportunity for our students, not only to collaborate across disciplines and institutions, but to see their creative ideas realised at the very highest professional level. Working with the BBC Concert Orchestra and students from the University of Nottingham challenges our filmmakers to think ambitiously, and this year’s theme – Nottingham: A City of Rebels – has inspired a wonderfully bold and imaginative response.
“What makes this project particularly special is the range of professional experiences it offers, from composing and performing with a world-class orchestra, to presenting the concerts themselves. It’s a powerful example of how collaboration can open up new skills, confidence and future career pathways for the next generation of creative talent.”
Dr László Rózsa, Director of Performance & Assistant Professor of Performance at the University of Nottingham said: “At the heart of this collaboration is a wonderful dialogue between disciplines. Responding to this year’s theme, students have explored wider ideas connected to Nottingham’s identity and history, resulting in works that are distinctive, personal and remarkably diverse in character.
An immensely valuable aspect of the collaboration is the opportunity for students to experiment and develop their creative voices over an extended period, supported by feedback and guidance from exceptional professional musicians throughout the process. To then hear those ideas performed and professionally recorded is a genuinely transformative experience for many young artists.”
Matthew Swann, Director of the BBC Concert Orchestra said: “The BBC Concert Orchestra greatly enjoys our residency in Nottingham – it remains one of the most inspiring collaborations we undertake. Working with students from Nottingham Trent University and the University of Nottingham gives us a front row seat to the next generation of creative talent, and this year’s theme, Nottingham: A City of Rebels, has provided another inspiring project. It’s a privilege for our musicians to help bring students’ ideas to life, and we see how collaborations like this not only develop skills but also expand horizons and open doors for these young musicians.”
Alongside the orchestral performances, the partnership is also introducing a new digital strand of the project this year. Films created by NTU students will be paired with digitally compositions by University of Nottingham music students, broadening the range of genres and approaches within the collaboration. These works will be premiered on 13 May at the Savoy Cinema.
The residency forms part of the Universities for Nottingham partnership with the BBC Concert Orchestra, which aims to inspire the next generation of creative talent, reach new audiences, and contribute to quality of life, health and wellbeing across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire through sustained cultural collaboration.
Notes for Editors
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About the BBC Concert Orchestra
The mission of the BBC Concert Orchestra is to bring inspiring musical experiences to everyone, everywhere, with the ensemble’s versatility as the key. The orchestra performs at the BBC Proms, regularly at London’s Southbank Centre, Nottingham Royal Concert Hall, and at other venues across the UK and beyond. For BBC Radio 3, the BBC CO explores a wide selection of music ranging from classical to contemporary and can be heard weekly on BBC Radio 3’s Friday Night Is Music Night. Additionally, the orchestra has performed on countless BBC soundtracks, including Blue Planet and Call the Midwife, and each February the orchestra collaborates with world-leading artists for BBC Radio 2’s Piano Room Month for BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds. They are also involved in BBC Ten Pieces, the BBC Young Composer competition and the BBC Open Music programme.
About the BBC Concert Orchestra Nottingham Universities partnership
Universities for Nottingham initially partnered with the BBC Concert Orchestra for a three-year programme from 2023-2026, which has now been extended to 2029. The mission of the BBC Concert Orchestra is to ‘bring inspiring musical experiences to everyone, everywhere, with the ensemble’s versatility as the key.’
The partnership aims to develop and enhance the cultural life of Nottingham with University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University students having everyday access to a world class performing and recording orchestra. This partnership also aligns with the BBC’s strategy to reach new audiences across the UK and support music education.
The Concert Orchestra’s presence in the East Midlands in both performance and education spaces can inspire the next generation with invaluable musical experiences, reach deeply into underserved communities and improve quality of life, health, and wellbeing.
Nottingham will host the BBC Concert Orchestra for two week-long residencies each year from 2026 to 2029. This partnership and these residencies will result in concerts, collaborative projects, educational experiences, talent and skills development opportunities, and other opportunities to Nottingham.