The Oxford University Music Society has been at the heart of music making in Oxford since 1872.
Aiming to encourage mass participation in music, OUMS represent and fund nine diverse ensembles, holding centrally run auditions each term. We also provide opportunities for chamber musicians, journalists, composers, and conductors, as well as facilitating a range of concerts each term.
Our Access and Outreach programme is continuously expanding, and members have recently performed in care homes and hosted pre-concert ‘Meet the Instrument’ sessions for young people.
We are particularly proud to be an entirely student-run music society, with no obligatory membership fees. Alongside affiliations with other music societies in Oxford to link up funk, folk and opera, as of October 2023, we will offer a non-auditioning ensemble for every instrumentalist and vocalist.
If you want to be involved with music at Oxford, in whatever capacity, you will be welcomed with open arms - no strings attached.
To ensure the continuation and expansion of the work that we do, any donations are gratefully received and will contribute to areas including:
- Providing a yearly grant to each of our ensembles.
- Subsidising competitions and other projects.
- Maintaining the work of the OUMS Music Diversity Project.
- Growing our community and outreach projects.
- Hosting events and ensuring the fostering of a musical community in Oxford.
- Recruiting Freshers into the society and our ensembles.
- Our website and online publication, OPUS.