FAQs
Student Guide to Blowsoc
I’ve never played an instrument before! Am I welcome somewhere in Blowsoc?
Absolutely! If you have little to no musical experience, but are interested in getting involved, you are very welcome to join our Percussion Ensemble. We have some fantastic percussionists who would love to help you out; come along to our Try-It session on Wednesday 1st October, 5:40-6:40pm to give it a go.
At what playing standard are your ensembles?
Everyone is welcome at our unauditioned ensembles regardless of ability; we have an ensemble for you! Our Wind Orchestra is for players Grade 6 and above, while our Moonlighters Big Band is auditioned, but has no specific grade requirements.
What should I bring to rehearsals?
Just yourself, your instrument(s) (just your sticks for percussionists), and some water and a pencil! We provide the music stands, chairs, sheet music, and plenty of biscuits. That being said, feel free to bring snacks for during the break or after rehearsal; lots of our members have busy uni courses, and we want to make sure you’re comfortable during rehearsals!
What can I expect to happen in a rehearsal?
Most of our unauditioned rehearsals (other than Brass Band) take place on a Wednesday afternoon, when uni lectures are not running! They’re known to lots of us as ‘Blowsoc Wednesdays’! A weekly rehearsal is the basis of everything Blowsoc does. Here’s what you can expect:
-Music playing (lots of different types and lots of different abilities)
-Chatting and socialising; lots of our members have made friends in rehearsals!
-The music is conducted by student conductors. Some have never conducted before, while some have lots of experience, and conduct our larger ensembles too
-Every Wednesday rehearsal, we have a biscuit break. The buying of these is the ensemble manager’s most important job, and they’re always open to recommendations!
-We work towards different events and concerts, including our Lunchtime Concert Series and our Christmas and Spring Concerts
Do you have Socials?
Absolutely! We hold plenty of socials throughout the year, include drinking and non drinking socials, small and large ensemble socials, and indoor and outdoor socials. Past socials have included visits to Laser Tag, Axe Throwing, ice rinks, golf courses and escape rooms.
Our first social this year is our Welcome Fun Day, an event joint with Mussoc, taking place on Friday 26th September from 11-3.
Amongst our most exciting socials are our Winter and Summer Balls. These are a culmination of Blowsoc’s achievements in the Autumn and Spring term, and take place in a large venue, often with food, a DJ, formal attire and an after party!
Can I borrow an instrument?
Generally, we cannot offer instruments for hire/borrowing. Please bring your instrument to university!
It is best to look for instruments online; try eBay, Facebook Marketplace or other second-hand places to get the best deal! We have a few members who can help you out with this, so speak to anyone on our Executive committee to help guide you to those people!
We own a small number of instruments, including a Bass and Eb Clarinet, which can be lent out, but require approval from the Ensembles Coordinator to be used (Rhianna McCoull)
How do I get involved?
At the start of the year, you can get involved by going to our Welcome events and Try-Its. These events are aimed at anyone wanting to give Blowsoc a go, with no pressure to get a membership yet, so come along even if you’re just considering it!
Check out our Try-Its below and on the SU website (we’re famous!).
Moving into the year, you’ll be able to buy your membership on our website. For 25/26, our standard membership fee will be £12, or if you audition for Wind Orchestra and are successful, £15. We also have an associate membership option!
I have more questions! Where can I ask them?
No problemo! Find us at the Societies and Sports Fair on Monday 22nd and Tuesday 23rd of September in the David Ross Sports Centre; we will be there to help you answer any questions. Our executive committee will also be present at all of our Welcome events for whatever you need.
For year-round inquiries, DM us on our Instagram, fill out the contact form at the bottom of the page, or drop us an email at [email protected]!
If you want to get in touch with Brass Band and Moonlighters Big Band, they have their very own socials media accounts. Their managers and conductors/MD will be quick to answer your queries; head to their pages for the links!
For visitors and audience members
Where and when are your concerts?
We hold our concerts in a variety of venues; we will make sure to advertise exactly where you need to be! Some of our concerts are off campus in external venues; keep an eye out on our Events tab for all of the information you need!
Our Lunchtime Concert Series, and many other of our concerts, are held in the Djanogly Recital Hall, which is on the University of Nottingham’s campus.
Djanogly Recital Hall, Nottingham Lakeside Arts, University Blvd, Nottingham NG7 2RD
Some of our concerts are held in the Great Hall, in the Trent Building on our campus, which is just a short walk away from our Music Building. Don’t worry; we will be around to point you in the right direction if you get lost!
Trent Building, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD
Can kids come along to your concerts?
Absolutely! Usually, at our ticketed concerts, we will have tickets for children at a reduced price, to encourage you to bring them along! We have a varied repertoire of music, so we would love to have them join us.
Especially popular with our younger audiences is our Christmas Extravaganza Concert; more information will come about this closer to December! Also popular are our Wind Orchestra Concerts, which we have some very exciting developments planned for this year…
Where can I get tickets?
Tickets for our ticketed concerts will be available via the SU website, near the concert date.
Can school classes come to watch your concerts?
Definitely! Particularly popular with schools is our Lunchtime Concert Series, every Monday at 1:15. The concerts are free, fun, and forty-five minutes, perfect for some light midday entertainment! Check out our Autumn term schedule on our social pages very soon! We only ask that you let us know to expect you in advance, so that we can make sure we have the room for your class, and can offer you a warm welcome! Please do also let us know of any accessibility requirements that your students may need, and we will work with you on how best we can accommodate that.
Are you able to accommodate accessibility needs in your audiences?
If you have any accessibility needs and would like to come to one of our concerts, please do get in touch; we will work with you to find the best way to accommodate you. Our Music Dept is wheelchair accessible, as is the Djanogly Recital Hall, where the chairs at the front of the seating area can be removed for easy access for wheelchair users. We also have easily accessible seating for those less able to walk up the stairs.
Would you come and play at an event?
We are always open to opportunities to get out into the local community and play for people. If you have a request for a performance from us, we would love to hear from you!
Our new Community Music Ensemble frequently enjoy playing at schools, care homes and churches across Nottinghamshire. They are a mixed ensemble that plays a variety of pop, classical, film and many other types of repertoire. If you are interested in inviting our ensemble to an event, our Ensembles Coordinator, Rhianna McCoull, would love to hear from you! Please email [email protected] with your request. This also applies if you would like to request another one of our small ensembles Concert Band or Wind Orchestra.
Our Brass Band and Moonlighters Big Band are similarly always open to gig opportunities; you will find their contact details on the pages below. Note: of course, this does include Brass Band carolling!
Previously, they have played at events and venues such as the Soundstage Music Festival and Peggy’s Skylight.
Are you open to sponsorships?
We are; if you would like to sponsor us, including having a feature in any of our concert programmes, please contact us using the form below, or through our email.
“The concerts and tours were great, but the friends were what made it!”.
– Adam, Member from 2016–2022
