Performance at Bristol

Instrumental teaching

Our instrumental and vocal tutors are all professional musicians, and many of them teach in major British conservatoires.

We pay for all performance students to have private lessons on their first study instrument/voice with our approved teachers.

First year: 12 hours (20 credits);
Second year: 12 hours (20 credits);
Final year: 12 hours (20 credits);
Final year: 18 hours (40 credits).

All performance units culminate with a recital (ranging from ten minutes long in First Year, to thirty minutes for a 40-credit recital in Final year).

Masterclasses and workshops

We have a close relationship with several ensembles-in-residence, including Bristol Ensemble. Weekly Creative Performance sessions help students to develop collaborative and individual skills as well as professional development. In 2023 and 2024, visitors have included Pulitzer prize-winning composer Anthony Davies, conductors Martyn Brabbins and Jonathan James, classical singer Emma Tring, jazz singer Rob Short, and clarinettist Michael Collins, and we have had staff-led workshops on Makam, mindfulness for musicians, electro-acoustic performance, vocal expression and creating improvisatory sound circles, as well as workshops where students can showcase repertoire for their upcoming assessed recitals.

Our active student community

The University of Bristol has a vibrant music scene, involving both music students and non-music students, and across multiple musical genres. Here we introduce you just to a selection of the opportunities for making music with other Bristol students.

Within the Music Department, staff-led ensembles include the University Symphony Orchestra, University Singers, New Music Ensemble and Schola Cantorum. Bristol University Music Society organises multiple classical-related performance activities, both auditioned and non-auditioned, including a brass band, wind orchestras and several choirs and Bristol University Symphonia runs two orchestras. Through the Music Society, Music department activities, and through more informal channels, student composers have many opportunities to get their music performed.

Our Music students are often involved in theatre, either as singers or instrumentalists, including with the Operatic society, Music Theatre Bristol and the Pantomime Society. The A Capella Society has numerous choirs.

The Bristol Big Band Society runs both an unauditioned jazz orchestra and the Hornstars, and the Jazz Funk Soul Society runs a fortnightly jam session at renowned Bristol venue, Mr Wolfs.

Music volunteering

Many of our students volunteer with our flagship Thinking Music project, offering students professional training in primary school music engagement, together with accredited school placements in the local area.

Opportunities in the city of Bristol

Bristol is home to some of the best concert venues in the UK, including Bristol Beacon and St George's Bristol, and the Bristol Hippodrome, which each offer discounted tickets to students. Our students sometimes have the opportunity to play in these spaces, or take up internships, placements and work experience posts.

Local churches and the cathedrals offer organ and choral scholarships, which our students are encouraged to audition for at the start of the year.

Many professional musicians live in and around the city and there is an abundance of choirs and orchestras, together with regular visits by top national and international orchestras and opera companies, including the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, the Philharmonia Orchestra and Welsh National Opera, which brings most of its new productions here.

Students also take advantage of Bristol's legendary live music scene, from soul to hip hop, from folk to blues.