Brass Soc
The brass society is a very fun, friendly, and lively group to get involved with, and welcome all brass players, percussionists, and even those who have never played a brass instrument before!
The society has a very active social life as well with biannual tours abroad (such as Munich, Budapest, and Prague!) as well as regular mini tours, socials (including our famous pudding social), and a trip to the pub after every rehearsal.
BrassSoc is made up of, but not limited to, three main groups: Brass Band, Symphonic Brass and Beginner Brass.
Brass Band
The brass band rehearses on Wednesdays at 5pm in the ensemble room and is conducted by a professional conductor, currently Thomas Stoneman (who graduated from Royal Birmingham Conservatoire with a conducting Masters). We are currently a contesting 4th section band, and also take part in UniBrass - the amazing inter-university brass band entertainment contest!
As well as contesting the band performs concerts both on campus and in the local community, provides lots of carolling opportunities for members, participates in the Whit Friday marches every year, and has successful partnerships with the University Brass Bands from Leeds and Durham. The band also welcomes guest soloists from time to time and in the past have been privileged to play with the likes of Paul Duffy, Richard Marshall and Tom Hutchinson.
Symphonic Brass
The Symphonic Brass ensemble rehearses on a Friday from 5pm in the ensemble room and is an auditioned ten-piece (orchestral) brass ensemble tackling more challenging works from the chamber brass repertoire. In the past we have played Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition, and Saint Seans' Carnival of the Animals. The ensemble puts on concerts in the local area, often in collaboration with other music centre societies.
Beginners' Brass
Our Beginners Brass ensemble invites those who would like to learn a brass instrument completely free of charge to come along on a Wednesday at 3pm in the ensemble room to be taught by members of the society. We can lend you an instrument, and help you learn and have fun, in a great informal atmosphere. Also included in this is our Intermediates Brass ensemble, which rehearse from 4pm on Wednesdays in the ensemble room. This is a great linking group between our Beginners Brass and Main Band groups. Many of our intermediates progress to Main Band.
Clips from various competitions and events groups within Brass Soc have performed at.
