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Student Enrichment
A group of students around a table chat enthusiastically about what they have been up to

Music at Durham

Durham University enables students to make exceptional music at all levels whilst studying for their degree. Most of our practitioners are not music students, but enjoy taking part in ensembles alongside a range of degrees. Music allows our students to engage with each other and the wider community, and grow through performance.

Student music at Durham features a true range of opportunities. We have orchestras, choirs, jazz groups and much more for you to get involved in. Our groups play in world-class venues such as Durham Cathedral, the Gala Theatre and the Glasshouse International Centre for Music, along with more intimate College spaces including Durham Castle's Great Hall and the Mark Hillery Arts Centre.
Explore Durham Student Music
French Horn players smiling at a performance of

Music groups

With over 30 music societies operating at University level and countless others within Colleges, there is a place for all musicians. Whether you are looking to build your orchestral experience, find community in a choir, or compete with an international A Cappella group, there are dedicated societies to support your musical development, and to build a social life. 

35 University level music groups at Durham
50+ College music groups, including jazz bands, orchestras and choirs

Societies and clubs

Chapel choirs

Alongside the University choirs, Durham University is proud of its chapel choir tradition, boasting a number of College and chapel choirs, with many offering scholarship opportunities for young singers.

Our College chapel choirs offer a vibrant musical and social scene for students to enjoy alongside their degree programme. Chapel choirs provide music for worship in College chapel services, but many also tour internationally, performing in churches from Estonia to the Vatican. Many of these opportunities come along with scholarships and stipends to support the development of their singers, though this varies between choirs. For more information please follow the link below.
Explore our chapel choirs
Members of Choral Society sing the finale of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony
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Music opportunities at Durham

To get a flavour of some of the incredible opportunities Durham musicians can enjoy, take a look at this video, following Durham University Choral Society in their partnership with the Royal Northern Sinfonia at the Glasshouse International Centre for Music, conducted by Thomas Zehetmair.

Visit our University YouTube channel

Venues

Durham Student Music groups make use of a variety of venues both within the University and beyond.

Our small ensembles regularly perform in the Castle Great Hall, as well as chapels and bars around the City. Our larger ensembles regularly make use of College halls, as well as some of the larger churches around the city. There are also jazz and chamber gigs in the University theatre, the Sir Thomas Allen Assembly Rooms. 

There are also up to four concerts a year in Durham Cathedral, with up to 300 student practitioners performing to over 450 audience members.

We also visit the Gala Durham in the centre of town, where 450 audience members can enjoy musical theatre productions and orchestral concerts. 

  • Gala Theatre

    Situated in the centre of Durham's beautiful historic city, the Gala Theatre has a huge cultural offering for students.
    Empty theatre seats

  • Durham Cathedral

    Founded in 1093, Durham's stunning Cathedral on the banks of the River Wear has hosted many student performances.
    View of Durham Cathedral across the River Wear

Gala Theatre

Situated in the centre of Durham's beautiful historic city, the Gala Theatre has a huge cultural offering for students.
Empty theatre seats

Durham Cathedral

Founded in 1093, Durham's stunning Cathedral on the banks of the River Wear has hosted many student performances.
View of Durham Cathedral across the River Wear
Back to Colleges and Student Experience
Students playing musical instruments on a wooden outdoor stage

Music in Colleges

Each College has its own unique atmosphere and ensembles, and there are also some intercollegiate groups. From Van Mildert Big Band to Hatfield Flute Choir, plus open-mic events, there is no shortage of music to get involved with and enjoy.

Explore Our Colleges

World music

We offer excellent opportunities to enjoy music from around the world, with a range of world music groups including Gamelan, and P'Ungmul (the Korean Drumming group). These ensembles benefit from expert teaching led by local musicians and academics from the Music department.

There are also a number of chamber groups including Dunelm Consort and Players, Flute Choir, string quartets and the award-winning Durham University Chamber Choir that you can be part of. For those seeking a larger ensemble, the University boasts three symphony orchestras, and a 120-strong choir, who perform at some of the most impressive venues in the region.

Pungmul players at a Castle event

Durham University Student Performing Arts
A Steinway & Sons piano

All-Steinway School

Spring 2022 saw the arrival of the much-anticipated All-Steinway School status for Durham University. The beautifully crafted pianos are accessible to all students regardless of their level of experience both within the Music Department and across all 17 Colleges.

Find out more