{"id":1377,"date":"2024-03-13T20:33:12","date_gmt":"2024-03-13T20:33:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ovra.org.uk\/wp\/home\/?page_id=1377"},"modified":"2025-05-27T15:22:35","modified_gmt":"2025-05-27T15:22:35","slug":"music","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ovra.org.uk\/wp\/home\/music\/","title":{"rendered":"Music"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Choirs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Occam Singers<\/a>
Vivace Chorus<\/a>
Guildford Choral<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Orchestras:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Guildford Symphony Orchestra<\/a>
The Y Orchestra<\/a>
XY Strings<\/a>
Orchestra Days at the University of Surrey<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concerts:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

University of Surrey Department of Music and Media<\/a>
Guildford Music Society at Guildford United Reformed Church<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Choirs<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Occam Singers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We, the Occam Singers, are a chamber choir formed more than 40 years ago in Ockham (hence the name) but now based in Guildford.  We are an auditioned choir and aim for a high standard in performing a wide range of music, both accompanied and a cappella.

There are normally four concerts each year and we typically have six weeks of rehearsal prior to each concert.  Singers are expected to work on the music at home to minimise the need to learn the notes in rehearsal.

Rehearsals are held at 19:15 on Sunday evenings at Onslow Village Hall.

Our Music Director, Nick O’Neill, is an organist and a composer as well as a rock musician, board game reviewer and blogger, writing for various websites and magazines worldwide.  You can read even more of his impressive CV on our website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Click here<\/strong><\/a> to visit our website and find out more<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Vivace Chorus<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What’s it like to sing in a sold-out Royal Albert Hall? Or perform in the church where Mozart got married? What about being part of a choir singing a world-premiere, or alongside some of the best-known soloists in the business?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you join Vivace, those are the sort of experiences you’ll get. You’ll sing all sorts of music in lots of different venues – not just as a choir in Guildford, but as a visiting choir on one of our European or English cathedral tours. Not just in churches, but in concert halls. And not just on your own, but with more than 100 other people, professional orchestras and fantastic soloists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Beethoven to Broadway, classical to contemporary, you’ll sing new works and firm favourites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We rehearse on Monday evenings from 7:15pm to 9:30pm at Guildford Baptist Church, GU2 4BE<\/strong><\/a>.  It\u2019s a bit of a walk from Onslow Village, but there are several people from the village who sing in the choir and so we can always arrange a lift.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In order to join the choir you need to audition.   It’s not to make you feel terrible, or because we expect you to sing a solo – ever! It’s because it’s easier for you to sing with us if you can read music and pick up your line without too much trouble. We know everyone hates auditions, so we do everything we can to make them as un-scary as we can. It’s not a ‘test’ – it’s just the easiest way for us to make sure you’re singing the right part.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 If you\u2019re interested in joining us, why not email our membership secretary, at membership@vivacechorus.org<\/strong><\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Click here<\/strong><\/a> to visit our website and find out more<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Guildford Choral<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Guildford Choral is one of the longest-established choirs in England, has around 140 auditioned members, all sharing a passion for singing and a drive to achieve high standards.  We rehearse on Thursday evenings in Guildford town centre, to work towards presenting four or five concerts each year.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have a passion for singing and a love of music, we invite you to come and join our choir and become a part of an exciting journey in music-making.  We welcome people from all walks of life, no matter your age or experience level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To find out about visiting a rehearsal, get in touch with our Membership Secretary, email: membership@guildfordchoral.org<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Click here<\/strong><\/a> to visit our website and find out more<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Orchestras<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Guildford Symphony Orchestra<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GSO rehearses every Tuesday evening at 7.30pm during term time at Queen Eleanor\u2019s School.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are Surrey’s longest established symphony orchestra and we have been performing concerts for over 100 years. Our main repertoire is the magnificent symphonic music of the 19th and 20th century but it also extends to contemporary works. We perform up to five concerts a year at different venues around Guildford, including G-Live. We support young musicians, regularly collaborate with a range of soloists and also perform joint concerts with the Guildford Choral Society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 If you’re a musician, why not join us for a rehearsal?  At the start of each term we hold a number of ‘Play for Pleasure’ sessions. These are designed to welcome new members and provide a taster for people interested in joining the orchestra. There is no fee for attending these sessions and no obligation to become a member. <\/p>\n\n\n\n


You won’t be asked to attend an audition, but the standard we normally require is good Grade 7 to Grade 8. If you have previous experience of playing in an ensemble then that would be equally valuable.

If you would like to attend a rehearsal then please email our secretary (secretary@g-s-o.org.uk<\/strong><\/a>) to tell us you’re coming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Playing in the GSO is stimulating and rewarding, so whether you’re thinking of taking that musical instrument out of the cupboard to start playing again, or are a regular musician who’s new to the area, please do get in touch. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Click here<\/strong><\/a> to visit our website and find out more<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Y Orchestra<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Y Orchestra meets on the first Monday in the month at Grace Baptist Church, Chertsey St, Guildford, 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start.  Several people from Onslow Village play in the group and so could offer lifts if needed.  We stop for refreshment half way through and finish at 9.30pm.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our repertoire is very varied but includes baroque concertos – we have a harpsichord continuo – as well as classical symphonies, and any later works for strings – Tchaikovsky\/Dvorak\/Elgar Serenades, pieces by Ireland, Warlock, Elgar, Bartok, Britten, Poulenc and a host of other composers, often arranged specially by me for strings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are all keen to encourage young players to join us to explore the fantastic string repertoire, and have seen many youngsters go on to train and play professionally, whilst others simply enjoy making music together as amateurs.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once a year in July we have a free Family Concert, which includes an opportunity for a younger player to play solo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We don’t have auditions so folk can join us at any time but they would need to be grade 5 upwards and be happy to do a lot of sight-reading.  Please contact Howard Thompson on hmbt70@gmail.com<\/a>  or  text 07910 604966, if you are keen to come along. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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XY Strings<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

XY Strings, so-called because it used to be run by Guildford YMCA, is a community orchestra supported by Guildford United Reformed Church, and particularly by the church\u2019s Music Society, which has a special interest in promoting music-making by young people. We are very grateful to the church for the use of its premises, in which we meet on Tuesday evenings in term-time from 5.45pm \u2013 7.15pm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

XY is essentially a teaching group for junior string players (of all ages!<\/strong>) of approximate standard Grades 2 \u2013 5, with some very welcome help from a number of more experienced players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We present a Carol Evening at Christmas, play in local music festivals, and give an annual Summer Concert. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

New members are always welcome! just contact Gillian on gillian.lloyd@hotmail.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Click here<\/strong><\/a> to visit our website and find out more<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Orchestra Days at the University of Surrey<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Department of Music run two Community Orchestra Days each year, usually in September and March. They are held in University Hall on the Stag Hill campus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Local musicians, students, staff and Alumni at Grade 7 or above come together for a day of rehearsing to perform a large scale orchestral work in one day.
It’s a fun day for professionals and amateurs alike; we rehearse from 11am-5pm, with plenty of breaks and lunch and refreshments provided. There is a final performance of our work at 5.30pm, for friends, family and the general public.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Email orchestra@surrey.ac.uk<\/a> to register.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Click here<\/strong><\/a> to visit our website and find out more<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Concerts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

University of Surrey Department of Music and Media<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Music Department hosts free lunchtime recitals on Stag Hill campus every Wednesday during term time from 1:10 – 2pm which are open to anyone.  In addition, they do free evening recitals and some large scale performances in other local venues which also tend to be free.  These recitals cover the full range of instrumental and voice genres from all around the world.  Keep checking their website to see what\u2019s coming up:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Click here<\/strong><\/a> to go the Department of music events page<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Guildford Music Society at Guildford United Reformed Church<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Guildford Music Society at GURC was formed in 1992 to make music of a high standard widely available. It is the music society of Guildford United Reformed Church, and also plays an important part in the town\u2019s cultural life. Besides engaging well-established artists, we take much pleasure in encouraging the many talented young musicians of today. We also wish to foster the love of, and interest in, music among children. We arrange concerts of many different kinds, including chamber music, jazz and organ recitals, on various days of the week and at different times, to suit as many preferences as possible.  We are always delighted to welcome new audience members, and are also glad of volunteers to help with publicity, front-of-house etc. Please contact Gillian on gillian.lloyd@hotmail.com<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Click here<\/strong><\/a> to visit our website and find out more<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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