Our Ensembles 2026-2027
For more information about our ensembles message Poppy Ancell (President) - [email protected] or Rebecca Kalemaj (Secretary) - [email protected] and we will be more than happy to help.
Big Band - Anwen Hopkins ([email protected]) + Emily Hallett ([email protected])
Cardiff University Big Band is one of the few auditioned ensembles in Jazz Society. Each year we aim to perform challenging high-quality jazz across the UK and internationally!
Some of our notable performances from the Big Band in the past have included Lord Mayor's Charity Gala at BBC Hoddinott Hall, the Montreux Jazz Festival, Lake Geneva, the North Sea Jazz Festival and televised rounds of S4C's Band Cymru 2018. In 2019/20, the band also achieved a Platinum Award at the South West Regional stage of the National Concert Band Finals.
In 2023 and 2025 we went on tour to Lyon to the Vienne Jazz festival.
In Big Band, we aim to perform jazz music from all backgrounds – we are always aiming to diversify our setlists even more, to include Welsh and female composers as well as the well-known composers you would expect to see.
Anyone and everyone is welcome to audition for Big Band – audition information will be posted on the Instagram @cardiffunibigband near the time
Cardiff University Singers - EJ Robinson ([email protected]) + Lucas Price ([email protected])
Cardiff University Singers, in collaboration with Music Society, is a mixed, non-auditioned choir open to all. Through weekly rehearsals and regular performances, Cardiff University Singers is a lively, lighthearted ensemble covering a broad range of repertoire. It is a great, relaxed environment for anyone who wants to come along, sing and have fun!
Jazz Orchestra - Carmelo Cellupica ([email protected]) + Imogen Mendes ([email protected])
Jazz Orchestra is a non-auditioned, beginner jazz ensemble for those who want to be introduced to the style. No matter how much experience you have, jazz orchestra offers a safe and welcoming atmosphere to learn and become more familar with the style. The ensemble rehearses once a week, ensuring it remains relaxed and enjoyable for all!
Saxophone Choir - Bea Clarke ([email protected])
Cardiff University Saxophone Choir meets once a week to play a variety of music written exclusively for saxophones! Anyone who plays the sax is welcome to join this non-auditioned ensemble, regardless of ability and experience. The music we play ranges from jazz to pop genres, as well as the opportunity to play student compositions. We offer a fun and friendly atmosphere, so if you are interested please do come and join us!
Womxn's Group - Hafwen Davies ([email protected]) + Imogen Mendes ([email protected])
Cardiff University Womxn’s Group is an all-female/non-binary ensemble who play an assortment of jazz music and provide a comfortable space for womxn in jazz to learn and practice skills, including improvisation and developing jazz theory. Regardless of ability or experience, this non-auditioned ensemble is open to all womxn who want to get involved and just play some cool tunes with some cool people! This ensemble is very important when it comes to re-addressing the gender disparity in the jazz world, as jazz is for all of us and cannot continue the way it is without bands like Womxn’s group!
Musical Theatre Ensemble - Angela Bennett ([email protected]) + Imogen Mendes ([email protected])
MTE welcomes everyone, regardless if you are an instrumentalist or a vocalist. We will hold auditions at the start of the year for solo vocalists and choir and orchestra are non-auditioned. We will work towards a concert each term, including overtures, solos, duets and big group numbers! Looking forward to seeing you at rehearsals!
Percussion Ensemble - TBC
Percussion Ensemble is an inclusive ensemble for anyone to come and play percussion - no experience required. We play a range of music, with tuned and untuned percussion, working towards a short performance in a concert at the end of each term.