University of Winchester Music Centre

The King Alfred Singers is the University's founder choir. It is the busiest Music Centre choir performing throughout the year in a huge variety of venues including Winchester Cathedral, the University Chapel, local churches and other venues.

The choir performs a wide range of predominantly sacred music from all periods of musical history.

Members

The choir is open to all students, staff and members of the local community. You don't have to be able to read music but it does help. This choir has the largest number of local communty members of all the WMC choirs.

The choir is divided into sopranos, altos, tenors and basses.

The choirs concert dress is all black (trousers or below the knee skirts) with purple accessories.

Performances

Performances have included:

• Graduation Ceremonies in Winchester Cathedral
• Walking in the Footsteps of the Past, St Bartholomews, Hyde, Winchester
• Winchester Music Centre Showcase, University Chapel
• University Carol Services, University Chapel
• Choral Evensong in Winchester Cathedral
• Space for Peace in Winchester Cathedral
• Cathedral's Group Choir Festival
• Conflict to Chorus Community Education Project, Winchester Cathedral
• Hampshire Rose Thank you Concert, The Great Hall
• Gloria!, Cathedral's Group Choir Festival 2016, Winchester Cathedral
• Space for Peace, Southampton Vedic Temple & Winchester Cathedral

The King Alfred Consort, is a classical chamber choir. Unlike all of Winchester Music Centre's other choirs, membership is by invitation. To be invited, singers must be a dedicated member of the King Alfred Singers. We expect members to be hard working singers with an ability to sight read/learn quickly. We also expect members to be friendly and welcoming to other singers and to conduct themselves appropriately within the music making environment.

The consort will comprise a different selection of singers for each event, determined by the pieces being performed. This allows for a larger number of singers to gain experience of singing in a smaller, more polished choir. Invitations will be made by the directors and a system of understudies may also be used from time to time.

Repertoire will be mainly classical (both sacred and secular). Concert dress is all black
(trousers or below knee skirts) with purple accessories.

Members

If you are already an active member of the King Alfred Singers and would like to be considered for membership within the consort, please let the directors know. They will strive to accommodate all request wherever possible and appropriate.

Performances

Performances have included

• Graduation Ceremonies in Winchester Cathedral
• Walking in the Footsteps of the Past, Hyde, Winchester
• Remembrance Service
• Act of Worship for Governing Body
• University Carol Services
• Installation of the new University Chancellor
• Alton Abbey summer concert
• Romsey Abbey lunchtime concert

Folk Choir is Winchester Music Centre's Folk and World Music Choir. A Gleeman is an Old English word for a professional musician and singer.

Members

The majority of repertoire is taught by ear and is a collaborative effort. Repertoire comprises folk music from all over the world in many languages.

Concert dress is black with dark green accessories.

Performances

Performances have included:

• Walking in the Footsteps of the Past, Hyde, Winchester
• Winchester Music Centre Showcase
• Space for Peace
• ​In The Moment
• Hyde Tavern, Winchester

The SONG is a contemporary full harmony choir. It performs a very varied repertoire of predominantly modern popular, rock and soul music. This choir is taught by ear so musical reading literacy is not required. The focus is on fun, beautiful, up beat, harmonious singing.

Members

The choir is open to anyone of any ability.
The choir is often booked to perform at public events and weddings.
Concert dress is all black with red accessories.

Rehearsals

The choir rehearses on Wednesdays during university term time. 14:00-15:30 in Paul Chamberlain Building 5 on the King Alfred Campus.

Performances

Previous performances have included:

• Wacappella
• Freshers Fayre
• University Graduation Ceremonies, Winchester Cathedral
• Walking in the Footsteps of the Past, Hyde, Winchester
• Winchester Music Centre Showcases
• Leonard Cohen Conference
• Space for Peace, Wincheser Cathedral
• SONG Sounds of New Gospel Show

Showstoppers is the resident musical theatre troupe which performs a very broad range of musical theatre repertiore from the earlist vaudeville shows right up to contemporary musicals like 'Matilda'. This is a dynamic, high energy choir which focuses on fun and focussed performances.

Members

Everyone is welcome to join. Much of the music is taught by ear so musical literacy is not essential. The choir is divided into sopranos, altos, tenors and basses. As well as singing, the choir frequently involve dance, costume and props within their performances. They perform with a mixture of piano accompaniment, orchestra/band and backing tracks.

Every year, the choir presents a showcase of all the pieces they have learnt. This involves company numbers, small group performances as well as solo and duet opportunities. Everyone is given the chance to shine.

Concert dress is all black with white accessories.

Performances

Previous performances include:

• Graduation Ceremonies, Winchester Cathedral
• Winchester Music Centre Showcases
• Annual Show

Resonance is a choir for lower voices open to anyone wanting to sing below middle c!

Singing a range if music, our focused rehearsals produce complex and sweet sounding harmonies.

Members

Concert dress is all black with maroon accessories.

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High frequency is open to all higher voice singers.

Membership

The choir is open to all upper register voices, whatever your singing experience.
Concert dress is all black with hot pink accessories.

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The String Gems is a string orchestra open to all string players of all abilities. It plays a huge range of music from classical to film and tv themes. Many of our members learn a string instrument through participation in this ensemble. It is open to members of the local community.

Members

The ensemble is open to any string player of any ability. Violins, Violas, Cellos and Double Bases. String players are also very welcome, you will be coached through participation in the group. There may also be an instrument for you to borrow as you learn.

Concert dress is all long black with gold accessories.

We attract a range of instrumentalists of all abilities and truly embody Winchester Music Centre’s ethos of inclusivity for all. Our repertoire spans a range of genres including (but not limited to) classical, movie and contemporary-popular music.

All are welcome, whatever your instrument. We're a fun ensemble who perform at the Winchester Music Centre Showcases plus do our own lunchtime concert each year.

Members

Concert dress is all black with royal blue accessories.

The African Drumming ensemble is a fun, friendly, community focussed group open to everyone. Learning both traditional rythms and devised new music, this group is run by students and has an enjoyable time and performs throughout the year.

Members

Everyone is welcome to join, whatever your experience or ability. Winchester Music Centre owns a set of 20 Djembes and other African Drums plus a huge range of other hand percussion available for you to borrow at rehearsals.

Concert Dress is all black with light green accessories.

A student initiated and led small group ensemble. Playing a wide variety of music, chosen by the members, this group is welcoming and yet focussed on producing fantastic music.

Members

Membership open to all wind players, whatever their experience.

Playing traditional and modern jazz music, this group is fantastic for all lovers of jazz music and those who want to build their experience of improvisation. The group are in high demand all over the campus for various events and perform in the local community as well.

Members

Open to trumpeters, clarinetists, trombonists, pianists, basists, drummers, banjo players or guitarists. Be ready to improvise and enjoy some fantastic jazz sounds.

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The flute ensemble meet every week to rehearse and perform some amazingly beautiful music for flute.

Members

Membership is open to all flute players, whatever their experience or type of flute.

The Brass ensemble is a small group of highly dedicated brass players performing music that they like for a variety of university events. Run by students, for students, this group make an amazing sound and include brass instruments of all sizes. All are welcome. They perform at the regular showcase performances, the University carol services and more. 

An ensemble for all things ukulele. A mixed repertoire of contemporary and fun music. Beginners welcome. Music literacy​ not required.

Members

This group is a social group open to anyone. Foundation Music has a number of ukes available to borrow during rehearsals.

Winchester University steel pans welcome anyone from total beginners to the really experienced players. We play a wide variety of music from traditional steel band arrangements tio modern popular tunes and music from TV and film.

Members

Membership is open to everyone.

New for 2018, a group of mixed musicians playing a wide variety of tradiational folk music from the British Isles.

Members

Membership is open to everyone.

The Chapel Music Group provides music for the regular and special Chaplaincy services. Open to all music makers including singers, pianists, drummers, guitarists and more. This worship group style ensemble meet each week to prepare the hymns and other music for the services. All are welcome.