Music at Hertford
At Hertford we nurture musical interests and performances of all kinds. We’re proud to be home to one of the largest student-run music societies in Oxford. All our ensembles are non-auditioned and provide a relaxed and welcoming space for members of the college to have a go at making music!
Hertford College Music Society
Established in 1972, HCMS is one of the largest and most active music societies across all the Oxford colleges. The society is run by a student committee, overseen by the Director of Music. We currently have three ensembles, which draw their members from the Hertford student community and beyond: an orchestra, a jazz band and the college chapel choir. The society is proudly non-auditioning, which means that anyone can get involved, whatever their experience and interests. We usually organise a concert per term in various venues (in and out of college) to give all our ensembles an opportunity to showcase the music they’ve been working on. Each ensemble also keeps busy with their own schedules of rehearsals, services, gigs, and more!
Our choir sing Evensong once a week (with free formal included) and our eight choral clerks also sing Compline on Thursdays. Additionally, the clerks usually perform a recital as a consort around once a term and the whole choir enjoy singing madrigals from the Bridge of Sighs on the morning of May Day!
The orchestra rehearse once a week on Thursday evening under the direction of the Director of Music. If you would like to keep playing your instrument but don’t have loads of time to practice amidst hectic Oxford life, then Hertford orchestra is the perfect place to make new friends and perform accessible yet varied repertoire in a lowkey and friendly group! We sometimes perform at college events, and as part of the Hertford Conducting Programme (a really exciting opportunity to learn from some leading international orchestral conductors) in addition to the termly HCMS concerts.
The Hertford jazz band rehearses on Tuesday evenings in the Baring Room. Led by current students, the group performs a range of music from jazz standards to pop songs and arrangements of film scores. Jazz band also plays numerous gigs around Oxford in a year, including summer balls!
For more information about the music society, visit our website https://hertfordmusic.my.canva.site/ or email us at hertfordmusic@gmail.com with any questions.
Hertford College Choir
Our choir is open to all and is well-known for being among the best of the University’s non-auditioning choirs. It is directed by our Director of Music with the assistance of organ scholars who accompany and regularly conduct the choir. The choir combines high-quality performances with a fun and friendly atmosphere – a true reflection of the Hertford spirit!
As well as regular services in the college Chapel, the choir perform a number of exciting concerts throughout the year and venture out on a European tour every summer. Recently, they’ve explored Lithuania, Poland and the Netherlands.
Scholarships and awards
Discover more about our organ scholarships and choral awards on the Chapel music webpage.