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UCL Music Society runs a range of activities and events for anyone who wants to get involved with music at UCL!

Our society focuses on mostly classical ensemble-based music making, with auditioned and un-auditioned groups to cater for different levels of playing experience.

Each of our ensembles rehearse on a regular weekly basis, and have concerts at the end of term 1 and 2.

 We also hold a range of social events throughout the year, including collaborations with other societies. 

During term two the Chorus and Orchestra join forces to become UCOpera, the most ambitious student opera company in the country, bringing rare works back to the stage. 

Our Ensembles
Symphony Orchestra

Managers: Alfonso Garrido Regalado, Ricky Zong
Rehearsals: Monday 6:30pm-9:00pm
Location: Jeremy Bentham Room (Term 1 2025)

As UCL's largest auditioned ensemble, our Symphony Orchestra brings the finest instrumentalists together to perform a thrilling and varied repertoire across two major concerts throughout the year. In addition to this, a reduced orchestra provides the musical background to the exciting and uniquely student-led UCOpera production. We re-audition every year, so if you're tempted by great music and a fun time, come and join us!

Symphony Chorus 

Managers: Leon Parsons, Oliver Smith
Rehearsals: Tuesday 6:30pm-9:00pm
Location: TBC (Currently varies week to week)

Our largest un-auditioned singing group produces incredibly high quality music despite the wide range of choral experience of its members. Major symphonic works are presented in cooperation with the orchestra, and the group takes part in a complete opera staging in Term 2. All students and staff welcome!

Chamber Choir

Managers: Sohan Das, Ella Macleod
Rehearsals: Thursday 6:30pm-9:00pm
Location: TBC (Currently varies week to week)


Chamber Choir auditions for the finest singers from Music Society to perform to a high standard, producing some very fine performances of both classical and contemporary pieces.

Email [email protected] if you have any questions!

Concert Band 

Managers:  Elyas Brice, Sophie Johns
Rehearsals: Wednesday 6:30pm-9:00pm
Location: Jeremy Bentham Room (Term 1 2025)

Concert Band is entirely un-auditioned, and consists of fun-loving students from all disciplines, and from a wide variety of musical backgrounds and experiences. It is open to any brass, woodwind or percussion player - we would love to see as many as possible come along!

String Orchestra 

Managers:  Diego Aragon, Ben Smith
Rehearsals: Friday 6:30pm-9:00pm
Location: Jeremy Bentham Room (Term 1 2025)

Our un-auditioned String Orchestra provides all of our string players with an excellent opportunity to enjoy a wide range of repertoire in a relaxed and friendly setting.

UC8

 Manager: Nasreen Gill
Rehearsals: TBC
Location: TBC
                                                                                                                                            
UC8 is our auditioned vocal octet, taking inspiration from groups VOCES8 & the King’s Singers. Performing repertoire from all throughout musical history, right up to Barbershop, Folk arrangements, and other contemporary works, UC8 puts on two high-quality concerts each year. Every year, the whole group is re-auditioned, so be sure to sign up!

Memberships

Taster membership (Free) gives access to:

  • Taster sessions at the beginning of term
  • Our members' newsletter, advertising musical opportunities at UCL

Standard membership (£40) gives access to:

  • All of our ensembles (you can join as many as you'd like!)
  • All rehearsals and concerts
  • Other Music Society opportunities, like small quartet groups, volunteering gigs etc.
  • Participation in our annual UCOpera
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I practice?

You can book an artsUCL Music Practice Room through the Student Union here. 

Click here to find more information about artsUCL Music Practice Rooms  (Note that these rooms are not managed by Music Society)

Can I join your society if I am not at UCL?

If you are a current student at a higher education institution, you may be able to apply for a visiting membership, as long as your institution does not offer the same opportunity you want to join UCL Music Society for.

Click here for more info about UCL Student Union Visiting or Associate Memberships

I'm a guitar player...

Unfortunately, there aren't really any opportunities here at UCL Music Society for guitar players. We recommend checking out Guitar Society, Live Music Society, Jazz Society and  Country and Folk Music Society where there will be many opportunities for guitarists there!

I'm a piano/keys player...

Unfortunately, there are limited opportunities at UCL Music Society for pianists. There may be a space for a keyboard / percussion player at Concert Band, and also maybe one Pianist for Symphony Orchestra. Feel free to email if you are interested in particular in either of these.

We recommend checking out Piano Society, Live Music Society and Jazz Society, where there will be many opportunities for keys and piano players.

Do you provide instruments to rent / borrow?

We have some instruments that can used in rehearsals only (limited by numbers) These are:

  • Percussion
  • Bass Clarinet
  • Keyboard

Unfortunately, we do not have any instruments that players can rent or borrow to take home. 

If you would like to participate in our ensembles, but do not have the instrument you play with you, we recommend looking for rental services around London. 

If the cost is a problem, you can try for the  Student Participation Fund which is awarded based on an individual's financial needs.

Other Music Societies at UCL

If you're still reading, you must be interested  in music, so here are some other great Music Societies at UCL that you may be interested in!

Check our linktree.

*Check out our website and sign up to our mailing list for the latest information and more!

Discover cheap ticket prices with Student Pulse: Emotion

Events

Symphony Winter Concert
05/12/2025 | 19:30 - 21:00

UCL’s largest auditioned ensemble takes on its Winter Concert,  joined by the wonderful Symphony Chorus! Come along for an unforgettable evening as the UCL Symphony Orchestra and Chorus take to the beautiful St Pancras Church just right across UCL!

The night features Sibelius’ iconic Symphony No. 2, a defiant and bold piece filled with struggle, and one of the most triumphant finales in

UC8 Winter Concert
08/12/2025 | 19:30 - 20:30

Join UC8 for a festive concert, with music from composers including Sheppard, Britten and Macmillan - as well as pieces by contemporary composers Christopher Churcher and Fraser MacDonald.

Hosted in the beautiful Holy Cross Cromer Street, just a 10 min walk from campus, on the 8th of December 7:30pm