Performance Groups
The musical ensembles at Queen’s are as varied as those who play in them. Don’t see what you want below? Contact David Mahaffy (d.mahaffy@qub.ac.uk) or Queen’s Music Society for information on how to start a new ensemble.
We are excited to re-start rehearsals after a hiatus but note that some ensembles may re-start sooner than others. Please make contact using the information below so that we can hit the ground running. [Information correct as of 2 September 2021]

Dear Trumpet, Trombone, Sax Player, Bass Guitarist, Rhythm Guitarist, Drummer or jazz Pianist!
QUB Big Band is now celebrating 20 Years of great gigs! The Big Band is a forum for amateur jazz players, in the University and beyond, who want to explore the big band repertoire under the expert direction of Mr Steve Barnett, former Ulster Orchestra trombone and himself a well-known jazz pianist in Northern Ireland.
Rehearsals: Monday from 6.30 to 8.30 pm (please be seated by 6.30) in the Harty Room, Music Building, University Square. Admission is by ‘availability' as numbers are restricted. Learners are welcome, but regular attendance is needed to take part in gigs. We particularly need trumpets and trombones! Jazz drummers and bass players also welcome.
QUB Big Band normally gives a winter and a spring concert. Our concert this year is on Weds 7th Dec, at 7.30pm, in the Black Box – make it a date!
Contact: Professor Piers Hellawell at p.hellawell@qub.ac.uk

QUBe is a music collective based in Belfast at SARC, providing a forum for experimental music involving students, staff, and musicians from inside and outside Queen’s University Belfast. QUBe brings together performers from diverse artistic backgrounds to develop performances that explore ensemble interaction, audio-visuals, open scores and collective improvisation.
QUBe is also a band that gigs in a variety of contexts, including music festivals, art museums and in the streets.
All are welcome to join.
Link to documentation of selected past QUBe projects www.paulstapleton.net/portfolio/qube
Rehearsals: Tuesdays, 5:30-7:30pm, Sonic Lab, SARC (starting on the 27th September 2022)
Directors: Paul Stapleton & Conor McAuley
Contact: cmcauley712@qub.ac.uk

Hosted by Music / the School of Arts, English and Languages
A smaller, professionally run choir, singing a wide range of choral sub-genres. Anyone is welcome to come along and sing at a rehearsal and talk to the director afterwards - there is no formal audition as such.
Rehearsals: each Wednesday 1.30 - 2.45, Lecture Room, School of Music.
First rehearsal: Wednesday 28th September 2022
Normally there are 2 concerts per year. This year the first event will be an evening Christmas Concert on Saturday 10th December 2022 in the Harty Room
Dir.: Donal McCrisken dmccrisken@gmail.com

Queen’s Viol Consort was formed about 30 years ago. Students, staff, and the general public with interests in early music are welcome to join. No previous experience of string instruments is required.
Sessions to be confirmed: School Contact Prof. Yo Tomita, y.tomita@qub.ac.uk:

QUSO is the University’s fully student-run orchestra, offering students and graduates from all disciplines the opportunity to keep up their music making throughout and after their time in university.
Each year the Orchestra undertakes a demanding series of concerts, showcasing a hugely varied repertoire, from the symphonies of Tchaikovsky, Beethoven and Shostakovich to the music of modern cinema. The Orchestra frequently tours the UK and Ireland with recent concert performances in Dublin’s National Concert Hall and Galway Cathedral. Players will benefit from the tuition of local professional musicians and may be given the opportunity to perform a solo with the Orchestra. Players are also invited to take part in paid chamber ensembles. Typically, the Orchestra is conducted by two student conductors who are elected by the players following an audition.
Rehearsals: Tuesday, 6:30pm – 9:00pm, Harty Room
Auditions: For Orchestra Leader and in the event of oversubscription.
Sign-up: https://linktr.ee/qusoqub
Website: https://quso.weebly.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/qusoqub/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/qusoqub/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/qusoqub/
Committee Contact: qusoqub@gmail.com

HIVE is a vocal ensemble that composes and performs new music. The group explores verbal notation, graphic scores and site-specific performance, with regular events in Belfast.
Rehearsals Monday, 6.00pm - 8.00pm, Sonic Lab, SARC . Contact: Dr John D’Arcy j.darcy@qub.ac.uk

Organised by Queen’s Music Society
The University Choir encourages all singers from across campus, including staff and students as well as members of the public to come along and perform in a large group, regardless of any previous experience. We perform pieces from a large variety of genres and usually give two concerts each academic year.
Rehearsals Thursdays 6-7pm Lecture Room, Music Building.
Auditions: No audition necessary
Contacts: hwasson02@qub.ac.uk

Qrganised by Queen’s Music Society
A traditional music group, open students at all levels.
Rehearsals: Wednesdays McMordie, Music Building 4-5pm. Contact: Brendan Kerr bkerr16@qub.ac.uk

“The Queen’s Consort is an upper voices choir run by PhD music student Matt Geer. Meeting weekly on a Thursday evening, we are open to students of all ages and abilities. Whether you are an ex-chorister, or it’s your first time making music, we can promise a fun and relaxed environment…alongside lots of biscuits, and the occasional pizza!”
Queen’s Consort rehearsals Thursday, Harty Room 6pm - 8pm
Contact Matt via email to join our mailing list: mgeer01@qub.ac.uk or text 0793 321 4721 to join our WhatsApp group!

Queen's Choral and Singing Society (QCaSS) are a dedicated choral society focused on providing their members with performance opportunities throughout the year with a range of music from classical to contemporary. Their two main ensembles are the Queen's Quarter Choir (QQC), a mixed ability choir which does not require audition, and Micro Choir, a smaller chamber style group which is auditioned and tackles more challenging pieces.
Additionally, they are able to facilitate the creation of new singing groups, assisting in the arrangement of rehearsal spaces and musical direction.
Rehearsals for QQC are held weekly in the Music Building on Monday evenings, with rehearsal times for other groups being variable depending on member availability."
Our social media links are:
QUBSU Website: https://home.q-su.org/clubssocieties/choralandsinging/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/qubqcass/
Contact: choralandsinging@qub.ac.uk

The QUB Electronic Music Society offers an extensive roster of talented local DJs and live electronic music artists, spanning all genres with plenty of experience playing intimate lounge sets to massive festivals.
Get in contact with us via email or Instagram (@qubelectronicmusicsociety) to organise a performance tailored to your event.

Providing music activities for aspiring young musicians from ages 4 - 17. Activities include children's choir, brass band, instrument tuition, and creative music technology
Find out more about JAM