Musical life

One of the most exciting things about studying in Durham is the rich variety of high-quality ensembles performing regular concerts. The majority of these ensembles are student run, which means that you not only get a chance to play in excellent groups, but also to gain experience in coordinating societies and in putting on shows. Regular groups include the Music Society, Choral Society, Orchestral Society, Light Opera Group, Consort of Voices, two new music groups, Korean Percussion Group, African Drumming Group and Javanese Gamelan. Several colleges have their own musical societies and orchestras and during the year we organise trips to operas and symphony concerts elsewhere in the region. For further information about a few of the many musical societies and performing groups, click here.

Video highlights of recent events

Since joining the music department in 2008, I've often been struck by the diversity and number of music-related activities that are going on in Durham; new groups, societies, and ensembles are being formed all the time. By combining innovation, impressive performance skills, and a DIY ethic, the students make this little city a vibrant, exciting place to be.

Dr. Simon Mills, Lecturer

Durham University Music Society

Durham University Music Society acts as an umbrella society for music societies in Durham. Every term we meet with members of the other music societies for a DUMS Forum to discuss musical issues within the university. We also make sure that students are aware of any auditions, concerts and workshops that are being held through our weekly email newsletters. We hold our own fortnightly lunchtime concert series DULCE (Durham University Lunchtime Concert Enterprise) with exciting programmes put together by some top-quality performers for which DUMS members can enjoy discounts. For further information, feel free to email music.society@durham.ac.uk .

MUSICON

Musicon, the university's professional concert series, brings a diverse selection of top musicians to the city in classical and contemporary music; the series also includes annual festivals of jazz and East Asian music. For more information, click here...

The Durham Gamelan Society

The Durham Gamelan Society is one of the longest-running gamelan groups in the UK, specialising in traditional music from Central Java and led by Paul Fletcher. The Department is lucky to have a beautiful set of instruments from the region, which are housed in the picturesque Durham Observatory. The group regularly performs at local festivals and concerts.

The African Drumming Group

The African Drumming Group, aka "Ngoma Africa", specialises in African choral and percussion music and is led by Peter Okeno Ong'are, an experienced drummer from Kenya and a current PhD student in the department. The group plays a varied repertory of songs and rhythms from all over Africa and has performed widely throughout NorthEast England.

The Korean Percussion Group

The Korean Percussion Group, aka "Durham P'ungmul Group", plays traditional percussion band music from South Korea - loud celebratory rhythms beaten out on drums and gongs. The group is led by Dr. Simon Mills, a member of staff in the department and a specialist in Korean music.