Christ Church Music SocietyChrist Church Music Society
As one of Oxford's most active student-run music organisations, the Christ Church Music Society showcases some of the University's finest musicians, while also arranging for world-class professionals to perform on the same platform (see recent performers).
President: Leah Broad
Treasurer: James Donaldson
Publicist: Lily Grosse-Buening
Secretary: Sophie Sayer
Lunchtime and evening concerts, recitals, and other performances are held frequently during term in the beautiful surroundings of Christ Church Cathedral, by kind permission of the Dean and Chapter. The North Transept, with its unique acoustic, is an ideal venue for chamber music, yet it can also accommodate large choirs and orchestras. The Cathedral possesses an excellent Fazioli piano, a Goble harpsichord and a Rieger organ (see the organ specification).
The annual week-long Festival takes place in Hilary Term (usually in February), and is the highlight of the Music Society's calendar. In addition to the usual fare of professional chamber music concerts during the week, there has been a tradition of high-profile dramatic and orchestral projects..
Christ Church OrchestraThe Christ Church Orchestra was formed in 2002 with the aim of providing opportunities for all college members to perform in a fun and informal atmosphere, although players from other colleges are welcome.
Since then, the orchestra has put on termly concerts, primarily involving Baroque and Classical symphonies and concertos. Past conductors include Ben Winters, Philip Mann, Clym Stock-Williams, Graham Griffiths, Mark Gotham, Benjamin Woodgates, Heather Uren and Ross Cole.
The College Choir at Christ Church (as opposed to the Cathedral Choir or the Cathedral Singers) is an ensemble made up of male and female students drawn from Christ Church itself, as well as the wider university. About 20 in number, the choir sings evensong in Christ Church Cathedral on Mondays during term-time, and at college events such as the termly Corporate Communion. In addition to performing in services and concerts at Christ Church, over the last three years the choir has sung evensong at Westminster Abbey, Trinity College Cambridge, St George's Chapel, Windsor and the cathedrals at Winchester, Canterbury, Hereford, Salisbury, Coventry and St. Paul's.
Unless otherwise stated, all concerts are in Christ Church Cathedral. Tickets £5/£3 and free for CCMS members (£10 for a term's membership).
Tuesday 24th April, 8.30pm (1st week)
Chamber recital led by Georgia Gibson-Smith
Wednesday 25th April, 8.30pm (1st week): Chamber recital led by Michael Heighway
Wednesday 9th May, 8.30pm (3rd week)
Trumpet recital by Simon Desbruslais (trumpet) and Georgia Gibson-Smith (piano). Featuring the world premiere of 'Lustrum' by Robert Keeley, as well as works by Brandt, Genzmer, Eben, Asafiev, and Turrin
Wednesday 16th May, 8.30pm (4th week)
Alto duets and solos performed by Christ Church choral scholar William Waine and lay clerk Edward McMullan.
Tuesday 29th May, 8.30pm (6th week)
Christ Church College Orchestra perform Beethoven's 'Pastoral' Symphony, conducted by William Green
Tuesday 5th June, 8.30pm (7th week)
Solo piano recital by Georgia Gibson-Smith, featuring works by Bach, Haydn, Poulenc, and Prokofiev
Wednesday 13th June, 8.30pm (8th week)
An evening of Indian Carnatic music, led by saxophonist Bradley Vines
Thursday 14th June, 8.30pm (8th week)
Solo piano recital by Mira Sundara Rajan, featuring works by Beethoven, Schumann, and Brahms
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