Performance at Goldsmiths
We are committed to high quality, ambitious and innovative performance. Many of our graduates have achieved a professional career as performers.
New students are introduced to the Department at the start of the academic year with Music Week: an intensive programme of rehearsals and creative workshops that culminate in the opening concerts of the season.
Performances are co-ordinated by the Department’s Performance Administrator, Imogen Burman. Information about up-coming events are available here. If you have any queries please contact Imogen via email or on 020 7919 7645. We actively support student initiatives to setup their own groups - so please get in touch.
Our ensembles include:
- Goldsmiths Sinfonia
- Goldsmiths Chorus
- Chamber Choir
- Chamber Music Ensembles
- Composers' Forum
- Contemporary Music Ensemble
- Electronic Music Studios
- Lunchtime & Evening Recitals
- Live Events at the Students’ Union
- Music Collective
- Studio Laptop Ensemble
- Vocal Group
Goldsmiths Sinfonia and Chorus
Goldsmiths Sinfonia and Chorus have gained a reputation for the quality of their performances under the direction of professional conductors. Our policy of promoting twentieth-century and contemporary music has entailed many premières of works by living composers such as Nicola Lefanu, Giles Swayne, Edwin Roxburgh, Edward Gregson and Sadie Harrison. Works performed include Bernstein's Symphonic Dances from West Side Story, Prokofiev's Alexander Nevsky, Stravinsky’s Symphony of Psalms, Bartok's Piano Concerto No 1 (with Andrew Zolinsky) and Brahms’ German Requiem. The programme for 2010 included Mossolov: Zavod, Khachaturian: Piano Concerto (with Magdalena Krzyzanowska, piano solo), Shostakovich: Symphony No 9 and Prokofiev: Seven, they are seven (with the Chamber Choir), with performances at Goldsmiths and at the Queen Elizabeth Hall on London's South Bank. 
The most advanced performers in the department can audition to perform a concerto with the Sinfonia.
Chamber Choir The Chamber Choir is an auditioning ensemble and performs at the Goldsmiths Christmas Concert and other events during the year.
Chamber Music Ensembles We support a variety of ensembles, and some are integrated with our degree programmes. Students are encouraged to form their own ensembles. Ensembles are welcome to book rehearsal spaces. We provide an extensive collection of chamber music parts and vocal scores, and it is often possible to hire or buy requested other works. Choral Scholarships are available in conjunction with St. Margaret's, Lee, for undergraduate students. For further information and an application form, please contact Imogen.
Contemporary Music Ensemble An auditioning group that gives two concerts each year. It has given a number of first performances and has a wide stylistic base, including works by Zappa, Ligeti, Berio, Cardew, Reich, Monk, Riley, Feldman, Andriessen and Bryars.
Composers' Forum Opportunities for all students to have their own compositions performed by their fellow students in a formal setting.
Electronic Music Studios EMS concerts provide opportunities for students to have studio-based work performed, including work involving performers. Preference is given to course-related work although any student may submit a piece for consideration. We also support the Interlace concert series, organised by Sebastian Lexer.
Lunchtime & Evening recitals Concerts take place on Wednesday and Friday lunchtimes and Tuesday evenings. Recitals range from solo to ensemble performances by both students and professional musicians. Students are asked to supply programmes for the following term and are then contracted to perform. A relaxed atmosphere prevails.
Live Events at the Students’ Union / Simon Says The Department has an arrangement with Goldsmiths Students’ Union to provide a range of live shows/events across the year. This is a fantastic opportunity to play a wide range of material in front of around 800 people; performers usually receive a small fee. Previous events have included concert versions of The Rocky Horror Picture Show on Halloween, a soul music night, ‘unplugged’ and contemporary jazz gigs. Students can either audition to be involved in an event or put forward their own projects for consideration.
Music Collective This group focuses on performance as a creative form, drawing from urban, dance, avant-garde and jazz repertoire. Players are encouraged to write and arrange for the collective, the line up is flexible and encourages experimentation, improvisation and the use of new technologies.
Studio Laptop Ensemble Computers as instruments? This group writes its own software for live performance, and works together (just like any other musical ensemble) to create experimental, original and technically ambitious music.
Vocal Group Directed by Eska Mtungwazi, the group sings gospel, jazz, and popular repertoire. Students are encouraged to submit arrangements/original compositions. The Vocal Group performs outside the College, including at Ronnie Scott’s and with the Matthew Herbert Big Band at the Royal Festival Hall, on London’s South Bank. Review of the Vocal Group performing at The Barbican