Ensembles and groups
Whether you’re an absolute beginner or an expert musician, looking to master an instrument, start a band or join a choir or ensemble, NTU is the perfect place to spark your passion for music. Take a look at just some of the ways you could get involved.

Love to sing?
Take your pick from our Choir, award-winning Chamber Choir, and Gospel Choir. You’ll have the opportunity to sing everything from choral music to rock and pop, and to perform at incredible venues across the city.
Choir
The NTU Choir welcomes singers of all abilities and is our largest ensemble with around 150 members. There’s no audition to join and you don't need to be able to read music, so it’s ideal if you’re new to group singing. And, best of all, it's completely free for NTU students to join!
We learn and perform everything from Christmas carols to tunes from musical and films, epic choral works and contemporary pop songs.
Who can join? |
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Is there an audition? | No |
What experience do I need? | None |
Led by | Matthew Hopkins, Director of Music |
Rehearsals (term time only) |
Tuesdays, 6.15 – 8.30 pm, University Hall, City Campus (note there will be no rehearsal on Tuesday 18 October) |
Yearly cost |
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Performances | You’ll perform in a variety of public events throughout the year – previous concerts include:
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Gospel Choir
From traditional and contemporary gospel, our friendly and relaxed Gospel Choir loves to sing and perform new music together. You don't need to be able to read music or have previous singing experience to get involved and have fun, and there's no audition!
Who can join? |
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Is there an audition? | No |
What experience do I need? | None |
Led by | Freddie Kofi – MOBO Award nominee and British Academy of Songwriters Award winner |
Rehearsals (term time only) | Wednesdays, 5.30 – 6.30 pm, Dance Studio, Music Centre, City Campus |
Yearly cost |
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Performances | You’ll perform in a variety of events throughout the year. |
Chamber Choir (auditioned)
Our award-winning Chamber Choir will help you take your singing skills to the next level. As an experienced singer, you'll learn to perform a wide variety of music – from baroque to contemporary – in a close-knit ensemble that feels like family.
In 2018 our Chamber Choir won a silver medal at the World Choir Games in Tshwane, South Africa.
Who can join? |
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Is there an audition? | Yes – these take place during Welcome Week and at the start of Term One |
What experience do I need? | You need to be able sing to Grade 6 level and sight-read to Grade 5 level. Don't worry if you haven't taken any exams, and if you're not sure what level you're at – we'll assess your suitability during your audition. |
Led by | Matthew Hopkins, Director of Music |
Rehearsals (term time only) | Wednesdays, 2.15 – 4.15 pm, University Hall, City Campus |
Yearly cost | There's no yearly cost but you'll need to purchase concert dress for performances |
Performances | You’ll perform in a variety of public events throughout the year – previous concerts include:
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Play an instrument
Join one of our relaxed and friendly instrumental ensembles, open to musicians of all abilities. You’ll perform in competitions and concerts across the UK and beyond.
Big Band
If you're looking to play swing and jazz as part of a large and friendly ensemble, our Big Band is the ideal fit! Led by East Midlands-based musician Pete Wraight, you'll meet weekly to learn new pieces and practise those already in the band's repertoire.
Who can join? |
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Is there an audition? | No |
What experience do I need? | You should be able to play your instrument to around Grade 6 standard, but you don't need to have taken exams |
Led by | Pete Wraight |
Rehearsals (term time only) | Mondays, 6.30 – 8 pm, Ensemble Room, NTU Music Centre, City Campus |
Yearly cost |
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Performances | The Big Band performs biannually at our NTU Big Band Live events and is also a regular at local jazz club Peggy's Skylight. In addition, the band are booked for a number of private parties and functions. |
Brass Band
The NTU Brass Band started small. It began in 2013 as a quintet, but has bloomed into a thriving ensemble that's played around the UK; including winning awards at the world's only university brass band competition – Unibrass. Our brass band is led by NTU's brass tutor and renowned trombonist Peter Lacy.
Who can join? |
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Is there an audition? | No |
What experience do I need? | You should be able to play your instrument to around Grade 3 standard, but you don't need to have taken exams |
Led by | Dave Curtiss |
Rehearsals (term time only) | Wednesdays, 5.30 – 6.30 pm, Ensemble Room, NTU Music Centre, City Campus |
Yearly cost |
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Performances | Our Brass Band regularly competes, and wins accolades, at Unibrass – the University Brass Band Championship of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The band also performs at seasonal NTU events, including our Christmas Spectacular and Summer Celebration, and joins the Chamber Choir for a popular public Christmas concert at Nottingham's Royal Concert Hall. Members have had the opportunity to travel and perform abroad, touring recently to France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Germany. |
Concert Band
Led by Director of Music, Matthew Hopkins, the Concert Band is a fun, friendly and relaxed ensemble who meet weekly to play movie scores, musical numbers and lots more.
Who can join? |
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Is there an audition? | No |
What experience do I need? | You should be able to play your instrument to around Grade 6 standard, but you don't need to have taken exams |
Led by | Matthew Hopkins, Director of Music |
Rehearsals (term time only) | Thursdays, 6 – 7.30 pm, Ensemble Room, NTU Music Centre, City Campus |
Yearly cost |
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Performances | Our Concert Band has won several awards at the National Concert Band Festival, and performs regularly in NTU Music's concert season. Members have had the opportunity to travel and perform abroad, touring recently to France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Germany. |
Concert Orchestra
Every now and then, we bring our ensembles together for something special. The NTU Concert Orchestra combines the talents of the NTU Concert Band and the NTU String Sinfonia.
We play at NTU concerts throughout the season, particularly at Christmas and the final performance of the year – our Summer Celebration.
If you're a member of either of these ensembles, you'll have the chance to be a part of the orchestra. There are no additional membership fees, or regular rehearsal times.
Drumline
Led by percussionist Steve Barwell, our Drumline plays pieces for marching snare drums and bass drums. We draw from the playing styles of some of the world's best drumlines, including the Top Secret Drum Corps. You'll hone your technical skills, and be part of performances that will turn heads.
Drumline is split into two sessions – Tech Class and Performance.
Who can join? |
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Is there an audition? |
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What experience do I need? | For Tech Class you don't need to have any previous experience, and you don't need to be able to read music. For Performance drumline you should be able to play to Grade 5 standard or above, but you don't need to have taken the exams. |
Led by | Steve Barwell |
Rehearsals (term time only) |
Tech Class: Thursdays, 7.45 – 8.30 pm, NTU Music Centre, City Campus Performance: Thursdays, 8.30 – 9.30 pm, NTU Music Centre, City Campus |
Yearly cost |
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String Sinfonia
If you want to perform in a string ensemble, our String Sinfonia, led by musician and violin tutor Rob Rosa, is a great chance to play in a group of enthusiastic musicians.
Who can join? |
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Is there an audition? | No |
What experience do I need? | You should be able to play your instrument to around Grade 6 standard, but you don't need to have taken exams |
Led by | Rob Rosa |
Rehearsals (term time only) | Wednesdays, 6.30 – 8 pm, Studio, NTU Music Centre, City Campus |
Yearly cost |
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Performances | The String Sinfonia plays regularly at our free lunchtime concerts, as well as other NTU events. It also combines with the Concert Band to perform as the NTU Concert Orchestra, for special events. |
Join a band
If you're into pop, rock, hip-hop, metal, indie or any other genre of contemporary music, sign up to our Band Development Programme. With free rehearsal spaces, gig nights, jam sessions and more, you’ll have the chance to get involved in Nottingham’s vibrant live music scene. Sign up now.
Band Development Programme
How do I get involved?
Sign up to the Band Development Programme
It all begins with the Band Book – a directory of all NTU students signed up to the Band Development Programme. This includes information about what instruments people play, and what styles and acts they like. Find musicians in the Band Book that you think sound good, rehearse a few times, and we’ll set you up to perform live within weeks.
We hold weekly Band Nights between 6 – 10 pm on Wednesdays at our Music Centre on City Campus. These involve meeting and rehearsing with potential bandmates, technical and songwriting support, and help with getting gigs and recording. At the start of the academic year look out for jam sessions too.
We run an annual Battle of the Bands in collaboration with Confetti that take place at Metronome – an outstanding live venue in Nottingham. Perform in front of a packed crowd and an industry panel for the chance to win recording time at Confetti's studios, A&R sessions with Denizen Music, and even sets at local music festivals.
What's on, when and where
Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday |
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Big Band 6.30 – 8 pm NTU Music Centre | Choir 6.15 – 8.30 pm NTU Music Centre (there is no rehearsal on18 October) | Chamber Choir 2.15 – 4.15 pm NTU Music Centre | Concert Band 6 – 7.30 pm NTU Music Centre |
Musical Theatre Dance* (Beginners - Intermediate) 6 – 7 pm NTU Music Centre | Brass Band 5.30 – 6.30 pm NTU Music Centre | Drumline (Tech Class) 7.45 – 8.30 pm NTU Music Centre | |
Musical Theatre Dance* (Intermediate - Advanced) 7 – 8 pm NTU Music Centre | Gospel Choir 5.30 – 6.30 pm NTU Music Centre | Drumline (Performance) 8.30 – 9.30 pm NTU Music Centre | |
String Sinfonia 6.30 – 8 pm NTU Music Centre | |||
Band Programme 6 – 10 pm NTU Music Centre |
*takes places every other week, starting Tuesday 27 September 2022.
Register your interest
Interested in joining one of our ensembles or groups? Register your interest and we'll send you all the relevant information!