From large-scale performance spaces (to get that professional concert buzz!), to a room of your own to practice, it's all here for you to explore, create, and have fun.
Not only that, we have activities happening across our very own Lakeside Arts, while our popular music-related societies are the perfect place to meet like-minded peers.
That's not forgetting our links with music venues and spaces in the city of Nottingham itself. With work placements set up in over 30 music-related organisations in and around the city – including concert halls, recording studios, opera companies, arts management, and orchestras – you can work in partnership with organisations to stage performances in city venues.
One thing's for sure, whether you’re an aspiring maestro, vocalist, producer, or performer, you'll feel right at home.
What's on campus...
Djanogly Recital Hall
In case you're wondering, it's pronounced 'Ja-nog-ly'. This 200-seat hall (designed by world-leader in concert-hall acoustics, David Kenton Jones, don’t you know), is the perfect place to make yourself heard.
The Recital Hall hosts professional concerts by international musicians, student lunchtime concert series, rehearsals and recital examinations.
First year recital pianists can also book one hour per week on our beautiful Steinway piano in the Djanogly Recital Hall during the summer term. Second and third-year recital pianists can book two hours per week.
Undergraduate orchestra practicing in the Recital Hall
I love the fact that we have this recital hall to call our own and the Steinway piano is certainly a favourite of mine! Alongside evening concerts both by students and by Lakeside arts, on a Monday lunch time there are free LTC’s (lunch time concerts!) These are concerts where student ensembles are able to share what they have been working on in a friendly and inclusive space.
Chloe
Third-year Music and Music Technology BA
Rehearsal Hall
Our orchestral-size hall is perfect for rehearsals of our larger ensembles, including the University Philharmonia and Choir. It is also used for occasional concerts, performance workshops and teaching, as well as being home to our extensive collection of instruments!
Undergraduate students working in the Rehearsal Hall
Practice rooms
We have 13 purpose-built practice rooms, in addition to the Recital Hall and Rehearsal Hall. Each room is spacious and well-lit and includes an upright or grand piano.
You can practice whenever inspiration strikes, as music students can book up to two hours per day, between 8am until 10pm, seven days a week.
“I have a favourite practice room. I love the fact that there's one which is hidden in the back corner of the department - mostly so that when I’m belting out my singing nobody can hear me! I also love the fact that there is a grand piano in there which has a really beautiful sound. The practice rooms are such an important space for me to relax and enjoy some alone time with my music. When deadlines are looming I definitely find myself in there a lot.”
Chloe
Third-year Music and Music Technology BA
Denis Arnold Music Library
This is the specialist library for music students. It houses a large collection of academic literature, as well as:
- scores
- books
- complete editions
- access to specialist online resources
Some of the resources are for use on-site only, so grab one of the comfortable listening booths and study at your leisure.
“I’ve used some of the archive material as part of ‘The Social Life of Scores’, which is a module where you spend a lot of time looking at more historical stuff. The library offers the ideal space to analyse these old (and quite expensive!) scores.”
Chloe
Third-year Music and Music Technology BA
Exclusive to Music Technology students
Recording studio
This is where you can let loose your inner producer!
Build your professional skills and explore everything from synthesis to recording, to syncing audio in visuals. Using our state-of-the-art sound insulation and adjacent live room, you can:
- record instrumentalists, singers and small ensembles
- benefit from line-of-sight, as well as audio, communication between producers/engineers and performers
Undergraduate students working in the Music department's recording studio
Digital composition studio
This studio supports our Digital Composition module and other composition and music technology-related teaching. It's also where you can compose music, for example for TV, film, games, concerts…
“This is a room filled with Mac computers and MIDI keyboards. If you don’t have access to programmes like Sibelius, or Cubase or Logic on your own laptop you can use it in the studio.”
Chloe
Third-year Music and Music Technology BA
Undergraduate students working in the Music departments recording studio
Arts Centre lecture theatre
Many of our large lectures are held in the Arts Centre Lecture Theatre, which is just opposite the department building. The lecture theatre offers state-of-the-art screening and audio facilities, and amphitheatre-style raked seating.
“I really like that fact that we have our own lecture theatre, which no other uni that I looked at had for music. I’ve never in my three years had a lecture or seminar outside of the music building. I found that really positive as it makes a little music community.”
Chloe
Third-year Music and Music Technology BA
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