Links & FAQ

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Facebook

Visit www.facebook.com and join our group 'University of Essex Classical Music Society' in order to add your own photos of CMS Socials, see others photos, and add messages on our message board.

The link for our group is: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=5712834907

But please note you must first be joined to facebook in order to view our page. 

Other Links

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do I need to play an instrument to be a member of the CMS?

Although the society is primarily for people who play instruments it is not a requirement. In fact we have many members who simply like Classical Music and join us for social events and trips.

I left my instrument at home, can I still play in the orchestra and ensembles?

Instruments are available to hire from music shops in Colchester but of course there is a charge for this. Alternatively many basic or second hand instruments are relatively cheap, for example a violin cost one of our members only £60! If you find a cheap instrument such as this the CMS may even be able to pay for it for you to play!!

I would like to learn an instrument, what does the society offer me?

The CMS is primarily for people who already play instruments. Some of the committee do provide discounted lessons for CMS members but obviously this is at extra cost to the membership (see Tuition page). Of course you will also get the discounted trips and social events that non-musicians get and the opportunity to meet a group of friendly people so please feel free to join up and get involved anyway!

I am a pianist, what does the society offer me?

For more confident players we have performance opportunities not available to others, for example we have a concert booked in the Lakeside Theatre on campus on 12th December and hold an annual concert including the orchestra in the Spring Term. For more advanced players there is the possibility of playing as a soloist with the orchestra in a piano concerto. For less confident beginner-intermediate pianists we are arranging a workshop for you to improve your technique and make progress with your playing. The University also has private practise rooms which are open to all students.

I play the guitar, what does the society offer me?

We welcome all musicians and although we don't have a particular group for guitarists, solo guitars are always welcome to perform in our concerts and volunteering events. Of course you will also get the discounted trips and social events that non-musicians get and the opportunity to meet a group of friendly people so please feel free to join up and get involved anyway! If you are more of a rock player and wish to form a band, try to contact 'musoc' as they may be able to facilitate this.

I am in shared accommodation and want to practise my instrument in private, where I can I do this?

The University has three private practise rooms (each with a piano) which are open to all students. To book a room go to the information centre (to the right of SU shop) and write you name down for the time you want on clipboard on the right hand side of the desk. You then return to the information centre at the time you requested to collect key, go to room to practise for an hour and then return the key. Rooms are located in square 3 at bottom of steps, go through automatic doors and follow corridor round. Turn right at the very end of the corridor and the door is straight ahead. The rooms are down a couple of steps.

I cannot attend all the rehearsals, can I still join the orchestra or ensemble groups?

Of course!! We do appreciate that students have other priorities so it is no problem if you cannot attend. We do ask that you email Francis on cms@essex.ac.uk if you cannot attend a certain week so that we have an idea of who is coming. Having said this we do ask that you make some sort of commitment and try to attend as many as possible so that the orchestra and ensemble groups can make progress.

I would like to set up my own ensemble, is this possible?

The CMS will do their upmost to support any group by booking rooms and helping out. Email Francis on cms@essex.ac.uk if you have an idea for a group.

I would like to borrow some music, is there any available?

Pieces the orchestra and ensembles play are made available to members to practise before concerts. If you would like to organise a music swap with other members of the society, the CMS will try to facilitate this.

I would like to go out straight after orchestra practise, is there anywhere I can store my instrument?

We are in the process of trying to get a store cupboard for members to leave instruments safely to which only the President will have access.