About University Music
University Music is managed and supported by a combination of dedicated staff, guest conductors and coaches, and a members committee.
Artistic Directors
Artistic Directors and Professional ConductorsOur coaching staff
Our coaching staffUniversity Music Committee
University Music CommitteeGet involved
MembershipUniversity Music and Concerts Team
University Music is managed by a dedicated team of full-time professional staff – ensuring that our activities are unrivalled in any other UK university.
With a wealth of experience, the team have come to the University from organisations including the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, English Touring Opera, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Warwick Arts Centre, and other educational institutions, including Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.
Delivering over 130 concerts and events each year (including the concert series in The Barber Institute of Fine Arts), the team work with a dedicated team of professional conductors, coaches, and the University Music student committee. The team also lead on strategic partnerships with music organisations across the country.
For more information, or to discuss future collaborations with the team, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Joanne Sweet
Head of University Music and Concerts
Jo is responsible for the strategic vision of University Music and works with academic colleagues to ensure that the University of Birmingham offers students and the local community a huge variety of high quality experiences.
Jo is involved with many things, from programming the professional concerts for The Barber Institute of Fine Arts, project managing operas, and producing a variety of music festivals, to the not-so-exciting things like financial management. She also produces the termly University Music brochure, works closely with the committee marketing team, and teaches Arts Management on the Music degree programme. Jo currently sits on the Artistic Committee of nonclassical and serves as a Trustee for Music Therapy Works.
Gavin Allsop
University Music Manager
Gavin oversees the wide variety of practical music-making at the University.
He mentors and advises the student ensemble managers, meets regularly with the committee president, and also works closely with the professional and student conductors to ensure Birmingham's musical offer remains of the highest quality of any UK campus .Gavin also maintains relationships with a variety of external partners, providing students with opportunities on campus and beyond.
Hannah Beech
University Music Administrator
Hannah supports the delivery of practical music-making at the University, which encompasses all University Music ensembles. She works closely with the student ensemble managers on the day-to-day running of each group, and also provides support in the delivery of concerts every semester. Hannah currently serves as a Trustee of Brass Bands England.
Eoin Funnell
Solo Performance Administrator
Eoin works closely with the University Music and Concerts Team overseeing all elements of departmental modules related to solo performance. He supports University Music Ensembles that are connected to the assessment outcomes of the Music degree programme.
Celia Walley
Concerts Administrator
Celia's role as concerts administrator is to administrate, assist and duty manage the Barber Lunchtime and Evening concert series, and support University Music through the management of the Box Office on behalf of the University Music team.