Music
The New College Music Society (NCMS) helps to coordinate student run music within New College. The New College Chamber Orchestra (NCCO) and the Holywell singers are a non-auditioning orchestra and choir respectively, which rehearse once a week with a concert at the end of each term. New College chamber music also offers a way of placing New College students in groups to form string quartets, trios etc. You can also hear recitals in the New College ante-chapel every Wednesday with the visiting artist series displaying local professional talent alongside the JCR and Oxford University members. To get involved with anything NCMS email the current president mia.davison@new.ox.ac.uk.
The New College Choir can also be heard singing in the Chapel six times a week, with their choral scholars also performing separately as an a cappella group called ‘The New Men’
If you want to practice within college, we are lucky to have many spaces that the JCR are welcome to book. The Band Room is located below the JCR with equipment such as a drum kit, PAs, a couple of microphones, a bass amp, and a mixing desk – any JCR member can book this by asking the Porters on a first come first served basis, and equipment can be borrowed for events by contacting the Band Room Officer. The Clore music studios, 11NB and Old Bursary can all be booked via the college intranet, the keys can be obtained from the porter’s lodge. The Clore music studios are found on Mansfield Road and host 4 soundproof music rooms all with Steinway upright or grand pianos. To get involved with University-wide music, check out the OUMS website and sign up to their weekly newsletter.
Art
Keep an eye on the Calendar for upcoming opportunities to express your artistic side, such as Pottery Painting sessions or the weekly New College Life Class, where JCR members and guests can take part in free, informal drawing classes for all abilities, covering a range of techniques and styles.
We are also fortunate enough to have access to a store of framed pictures available for loan to all students. Near the start of every term, the Art Store located above the JCR is opened up for a couple of hours, and you can come along and choose one or two paintings to hang in your room, free of charge (except for a termly JCR art levy). All you need to do is show up at the appointed time and bring your BOD card to sign any paintings out. It’s worth checking your room first to find out what size paintings you’d be able to hang up – those living out can also borrow pictures, provided they can guarantee safe transport of the art to their accommodation. The paintings must then be returned on a specified day at the end of each term. To have a look at what’s available see the catalogue here.
The Oxford Art Movement (OAM) is a student-run society for artists at Oxford. If you want some time to continue with existing work, to experiment and try something new, or simply to relax, the OAM offers the facilities and materials to make that possible, welcoming any skill level. Weekly art sessions are run on Saturday, with a life drawing class in the morning and a free art session in the afternoon. More details can also be found on their Facebook page.
The Oxford University Film Foundation is Oxford’s filmmaking society, which aims to support and promote filmmaking at Oxford University. They both produce and advise productions, offering financial support and equipment rentals, with more details about applying for funding on their website. They also provide a platform for showcasing student-made films at termly screenings, and host talks, workshops and other film-related events throughout the year. They have a mailing list and a Facebook group accessible through their website, and they also run the Oxford Film Hub, a website helping to connect filmmakers with crew and potential collaborators.
Drama
The New College Drama Society (NCDS) is a great place to start if you want to get involved in drama. As well as highlighting workshops and contributing to Bryce’s Coffee House events, NCDS puts on a hilarious Christmas Pantomime in Hall every Michaelmas, written and performed by JCR members. Freshers can also get involved in Drama Cuppers, a drama competition between colleges that takes place in 5th Week of Michaelmas. This is a great chance to get involved in College and University drama, as you will meet like-minded thespians both at New College and from across the University. Teams of up to 8 students can put on any form of show of up to half an hour, with various prizes awarded. To get involved in the pantomime, cuppers, or for general information and advice talk to the MADD Rep.
For University-wide drama the Oxford University Drama Society (OUDS) website is a great resource for anyone who wants to act, direct, produce or just generally get involved in plays. You can find information about placing a bid for a production, getting funding, and also more in depth information about Drama Cuppers. OUDS also run a New Writing Festival every year to bring student writing to the stage, with entrance open until the Christmas Vacation, and auditions for actors taking place at the beginning of Hilary. OUDS also send round a weekly newsletter providing information about all the auditions, productions, opportunities in drama across the university that week.
Oxford University Theatre Technicians and Designers (TAFF) are a group for those who want to get involved in the technical side of Theatre and Theatre Design in Oxford, providing support, advice and resources for technicians and designers, as well a mailing list to connect members of differing levels of experience.
Finally the Oxford Revue is a society set up to promote comedy performances at the university as well as producing its own shows throughout the year. They send out emails to a mailing list with events, shows, auditions and general comedy information.
Dance
Whether you’re a seasoned professional, want to try something new or just need a chance to brush up on your moves before the next bop, there are loads of great ways to get involved in dance. As well as weekly Zumba sessions in College, which will be announced on the Calendar, there are several university societies offering dance lessons and socials for all abilities, covering a wide variety of dance styles. Some of the main groups are:
Oxford University Dancesport Club (OUDC) offers classes in Ballroom, Latin American, Rock ‘n’ Roll, Argentine Tango and Zumba, catering for everyone from complete beginners to experienced competitive dancers. Their main team, beginners team and Rock ‘n’ Roll team compete with other universities including the annual varsity match, and they also organise a cuppers for beginners and advanced dancers. More information can be found on their website, where you can subscribe to their weekly newsletter.
Oxford University Dance Society is a student-run society designed to provide students and non-students alike with the opportunity to dance, whether you’ve been doing it for years or want to try something new. Classes are run on a drop-in basis, so there is no need to sign up in advance, and you can choose how much or how little you want to commit. Styles offered include Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Hip Hop, Zumba, Dance Fitness and more, and classes cater to all abilities, with beginner sessions and opportunities for more advanced dancers. More information can be found on their website, where you can subscribe to their weekly newsletter.
Oxford University Salsa Society (OUSS) offers weekly lessons in Salsa, Bachata and other dances with Latin-American roots, for all levels from beginner to performer, as well as weekly Salsa nightclub events and an annual Salsa Ball. More information can be found on their website, where you can subscribe to their weekly newsletter.
Other dance societies include the Oxford University Scottish Dance Society, the Oxford Middle Eastern Dance Society and the Oxford Aerial Dance Society.
