Philharmonic Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra

University Music offers two full-sized auditioned orchestras of equal standing to students at the University. Each orchestra gives a termly concert in the Elgar Concert Hall, as well as regular concerts at other venues across the city including Town Hall, Birmingham.

Both orchestras are directed by Daniele Rosina and the general standard of players is around Grade 7-8, but orchestral experience is just as important as an exam result. The orchestras receive coaching from a variety of professional musicians, including members of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and other freelance orchestral musicians from across the UK.

In recent years the orchestras have performed a wide range of symphonic repertoire from Brahms and Sibelius to Takemitsu and Prokofiev, as well as worked with soloists of international standing.

Collaborations have included performances of Elgar’s Cello Concerto with Guy Johnston, Shostakovich’s second piano concerto with BBC Young Musician 2018, Lauren Zhang, and a world premiere of Daria Kwiatkowska’s Piano Concerto with Xenia Pestova.