Playing at the May Week garden party, 2009
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Ensembles
CCMS is about you. We aim to involve as many people,whether this is by performing or just listening!
Throughout the year, we run various ensembles: our non-audition choir, Christ's Voices, our non-audition College Orchestra and the group for jazz players, Christ's JAMSOC. We also arrange recitals for anyone who wishes to perform smaller works, either individually or with other people. These are short, informal concerts typically held in the Chapel. Please contact the Recitals Manager for more information.
Christ's Voices and Orchestra also undertake an annual concert in Great St. Mary's Church, Cambridge, performing larger and more demanding works. For information on this event and others, see the Events page.
Christ's Voices
Christ's Voices is the college's non-audition choir. All are welcome to sing with us, whether or not you've sung before. Rehearsals are in the Lloyd Room, every Monday during Michaelmas and Lent terms from 8pm. Christ's Voices has performed music from Classical favourites such as Mozart's Requiem and Handel's Messiah to more light-hearted repertoire including arrangements of Bridge Over Troubled Water, Yesterday and The Circle of Life, as well as Carl Orff's epic Carmina Burana. Rehearsals are always relaxed and fun, so come along and try it!
Contact the Fixer for more information.Voices members are also welcome to join with Chapel Choir members for the weekly Compline service in Chapel (each Tuesday 10pm during Full Term). This is a short and relaxing candlelit service, using mostly plainsong. Normally, a short Introit (introductory music) is sung before the service, for which there is a brief rehearsal beforehand.
Christ's College Orchestra
The College Orchestra performs one concert every term, and varies in size to meet the needs of individual performances. Recent performances have included works such as Vaughan William's Folk Song Suite, Schubert's Unifinished Symphony and Mendelssohn's Hebrides Overture. Players of all standards are welcome - please contact the Fixer if you are interested!
Both Voices and the Orchestra are student-led groups. If you are interested in conducting either of them, contact the Fixer.
Christ's JAMSOC
JAMSOC is the home of all things jazz in College. Players of any standard are welcome to just to come and play - there's no commitment to rehearsals, we just regularly meet for fun! JAMSOC exists to allow people to relax, and de-stress from work pressures, as well as working towards recitals, and for special other events (Jazz nights in the Bar).
This is for any sax (all sizes), clarinet, flute, brass, guitar, bass, 'keys' (piano) players, drummers, vocalists (including scatters and screamers), swannee whistlers, or indeed anything that makes a noise! Contact us for more details.
Christ's College Chapel Choir
Whilst not run by CCMS, we keep strong links with the College Chapel Choir, combining with them for various events (including a recent 'Jazz Mass'). Two evensongs are sung each week, on a Thursday and Sunday evening, and perks are gained including free singing lessons and subsidised Dinner in Hall. Auditions for this group are held at the beginning of the year, and a firm commitment is required. See their website for more details...
Other Ensembles
There have been many other Ensembles within college throughout the years, including our string orchestra, the Beaufort Ensemble. CCMS is keen to encourage any music in College, regardless of ability and genre. If you're interested in forming an ensemble, the Fixer can help you find other like-minded musicians. You can also apply for money from the Society to help with music purchase and running costs, and if you wish to do a recital with your group, we can arrange that too. Feel free to contact the Recitals Manager to discuss details.
We have also hosted Jazz nights in college, along with more informal concerts. If you have any suggestions or anything you would particularly like to see us perform, then don't hesitate to get in contact with the Committee.
Opportunities Outside College
Cambridge has a thriving music scene, with a wide range of opportunities for listening or performing. For more information, you can find the Societies' Fair at Kelsey Kerridge during Freshers' Week. Alternatively, try the CUSU website for more information on the huge array of musical societies in Cambridge.