Robinson College Music Society provides a focal point for all kinds of music making in the college. It’s student-run and reflects the enthusiasms of current students. Recent groups have included a chamber orchestra, a string orchestra, a wind band, several close harmony and barbershop a capella groups, a variety of chamber music ensembles, a jazz quintet, a funk band, a brass quartet, numerous singer-songwriters, and much more.
A central showcase for Robinson music-making is the series of Friday Recitals. These are at 6.30 every Friday during term-time and last about 45 minutes. Usually they take place in the Chapel, which is well equipped with a Steinway grand piano, a Rubio harpsichord, a Frobenius organ, a perfect acoustic for chamber music, and flexible lighting and seating plans to allow for the space to be used in various ways so as to create a close, intimate setting or a large concert-hall type ambience. Most of the recitals are given by student groups and student soloists, though most terms also include a recital by visiting professional musicians. Other spaces for music-making include two practice rooms, the Music Room, which is a small concert space which holds an audience of about 40 plus another 12 upstairs in a small balcony, and the ‘Bass-ment’ which is a party room suitable for DJ sets etc. Finally there is the Auditorium, a fully equipped theatre which is an ideal venue for productions produced and MD’d entirely by students of shows ranging from Jesus Christ Superstar! to The Pirates of Penzance.
The music society is always keen to welcome new ventures from incoming and current students. To view their website click here.