UEA Symphony Orchestra is a full Symphony Orchestra open to all by audition and tackling major repertoire. It is conducted by UEA Director of Music, Stuart Dunlop.
Rehearsals and performances
UEA Symphony Orchestra enjoys membership from students, staff, and members of the local community. The orchestra rehearse on campus every Wednesday (18:30 - 21:15), during semester time, and perform either alone or with the UEA Choir at least twice a year. You can find details of past UEA Symphony Orchestra performances in our Events Archive.
The 2023-24 concert season will commence on Thursday 23 November 2023 with UEA Symphony Orchestra and Choir's 'Verdi and Rachmaninov' concert at The Halls (St Andrew's), Norwich, and conclude on Thursday 21 March 2024 with UEA Symphony Orchestra's 'Roots and Dances' concert at The Church of St Peter Mancroft, Norwich. Tickets for the November concert are available to buy online now from the UEA store (until 10am on 22 November). Tickets for the March concert will be available to buy online (from January 2024) from the UEA store. A limited number of tickets will also be available to purchase on the door (card or cheque only).
You can find details of forthcoming UEA Symphony Orchestra performances in our Upcoming Events Calendar.
Auditions
UEA Symphony Orchestra is open to players of Grade 7 standard or above (however, there is no need to have passed any exams), who (ideally) have some orchestral experience. All players are auditioned, however the auditions are short and very informal. Auditions for the 2023-24 concert season will take place on Friday 22 September (12:00-18:00) and Monday 25 September (15:00-20:00) 2023 in the UEA Music Centre. The orchestra has vacancies in all sections, however, we are particularly keen to recruit for the following parts: bassoon, brass, viola and violin. To book an audition please fill out this form or email us stating your instrument, experience and availability for audition. Auditions are ten minutes long. For the audition, candidates will be asked to attempt a short piece of sight reading. They will also be asked to perform a short pre-prepared piece or extract (approximately 2-3 minutes in duration). This can be any piece which they are currently playing or learning. They will be asked to play without accompaniment, but the piece they choose does not have to be unaccompanied.
There is no subscription fee for the UEA Symphony Orchestra.
The first rehearsal of the 2023-24 season will take place on Wednesday 27 September 2023.