The newly branded Oxford University Chamber Music (OUCM) is an OUMS-run body committed to promoting chamber music across the university and expanding our society’s remit beyond the ensembles. At the beginning of each academic year, we help incoming and current students form new chamber music groups and consolidate pre-existing ones. Throughout the year, we offer support to our ensembles, including performance opportunities and masterclasses.
At the start of next term, we want to hear from you if you’re an incoming or current student interested in taking part in our new cycle of online chamber music matching: you sign up to a form as an individual and we match you with other players interested in similar repertoire, ensemble type, and commitment! You can also find other players through our in-person ‘Chamber Music Speed Dating’ event (find out more).
We also want to hear from you if you currently play in an existing chamber ensemble and want to register with OUCM. This allows us to get in touch and provide a range of exciting opportunities, such as masterclasses and performances, as well as being able to support you however we can. OUCM is also launching a very exciting FHS Chamber Music Scheme aimed at matching music finalists planning on taking the chamber music option for exams with other players!
OUCM Committee
The key people behind the scenes of OUCM - get in touch with any questions!
FAQs
1. I’m interested in finding other people to play chamber music with me. How can you help me?
At the beginning of each academic year, we send out a form for people to sign up to our yearly cycle of chamber music matching (the deadline is usually Friday of 1st week). Look out for the link on our social media pages and weekly newsletter. You can also participate in our in-person ‘Chamber Music Speed Dating’ event that will take place on Wednesday of Week 3 (sign up here).
2. I missed the deadline to sign up for chamber music matching and I couldn’t make the speed dating event. Can I still be involved?
If you missed the form deadline and the speed dating event, don’t worry! Just get in touch with our manager (chambermusic@oums.co.uk) and they will try their best to help you - there may be other people in your same situation!
3. Do I have to audition to be considered for chamber music matching?
Entirely up to you! When you sign up to the online matching form, we usually ask if you have taken an OUMS audition in the past so that we have a more objective way of matching you with other players of a similar standard. However, we’ll also take into account your past experience based on what you tell us about you in the form!
4. I already play in an existing ensemble. How can I be involved with OUCM?
If you already play in a chamber ensemble, we would love to hear from you! At the beginning of each year we send out a form to register existing ensembles with us. The benefits of this is that we can provide support, such as promotion, as well as offer opportunities like masterclasses and performances! (Sign up here)
5. I have a partially formed ensemble and am looking for extra players. What can I do?
We can help you in two ways. Firstly, you can get in touch with us directly by e-mailing chambermusic@oums.co.uk and we’ll go through our database of people who have signed up to OUCM to find someone appropriate for your ensemble and put you in contact. Secondly, at the beginning of Michaelmas, you can complete the ‘OUCM Matching’ form as an individual and put the names of the people in your partially formed group in response to the question ‘Please name anyone you would like to be specifically matched with’. This will help us ensure we match you with the right people!