University Music is proud to present its spring programme of concerts and events for the 2026 season. As ever, there's a thrilling breadth and diversity in the musical offering, which brings together University Music scholars, students, staff and members of the wider community in a range of programmes and venues. Alongside performances from our own musicians and ensembles, it's our pleasure to host a professional chamber music series in association with the Bournemouth Chamber Music Society. We look forward to welcoming you to our fantastic events this spring.
– Ian Davis, Head of University Music
For more information about any of the events or to learn more about the ensembles and how to join, please contact University Music.
Email: musicadmin@bournemouth.ac.uk
Telephone: 01202 965831
February
Location: St Peter's Church, Bournemouth, BH1 2EE
Admission: Free
An eclectic mix of vocal and instrumental music from our scholars and friends.
Location: Kimmeridge Hall, Bournemouth University, BH12 5BB
Admission: £25 (free to under-26s)
- Debussy: String Quartet in G minor Op. 10
- Berg: String Quartet Op. 3
- Beethoven: String Quartet in A minor Op. 132
Location: Student Hall, Talbot House, Bournemouth University, BH12 5BB
Admission: Free
Featuring Daisy Tye (soprano) and Jonathan Prentice (piano).
Location: Salisbury Cathedral, SP1 2EJ
Admission: Free
- Responses: Smith
- Canticles: Liz Dilnot Johnson (Second Service)
- Anthem: Brahms (How lovely are thy dwellings)
March
Location: St Peter's Church, Bournemouth, BH1 2EE
Admission: Free
An eclectic mix of vocal and instrumental music from our scholars and friends.
Location: St Peter’s Church, Bournemouth, BH1 2EE
Admission: Free
An evening of music from the concert hall, stage and screen.
Location: Student Hall, Talbot House, Bournemouth University, BH12 5BB
Admission: Free
An eclectic mix of vocal and instrumental music from our scholars and friends.
Location: Kimmeridge Hall, Bournemouth University, BH12 5BB
Admission: £25 (free to under-26s)
- James Atkinson (baritone); Simon Lepper (piano)
- Beethoven: An die ferne Geliebte Op. 98
- Finzi: Earth and Air and Rain Op. 15
- Schumann: Dichterliebe Op. 48
April
Location: St Paul's Cathedral, London, EC4M 8AD
Admission: Free
- Responses: Smith
- Canticles: Dyson in D
- Anthem: Stanford (Ye choirs of New Jerusalem)
- Voluntary: Sidney S. Campbell (Gaudeamus)
Location: Christchurch Priory, BH23 1BU
Tickets: £20/£16 (50% concession to students) – available online or at the door
- Ola Gjeilo: Sunrise Mass
- Glazunov: Saxophone Concerto
- Richter: On the nature of daylight
- Handel: Dixit Dominus
Location: Kimmeridge Hall, Bournemouth University, BH12 5BB
Admission: £25 (free to under-26s)
- Mendelssohn: Violin Sonata in F minor Op. 4
- Beethoven: Violin Sonata No. 5 in F Op. 24 (Spring)
- Clara Schumann: Three Romances Op. 22
- Grieg: Violin Sonata No. 1 in F major Op. 8
Location: St Peter's Church, Bournemouth, BH1 2EE
Admission: Free
An eclectic mix of vocal and instrumental music from our scholars and friends.
May
Location: Sherborne Abbey, DT9 3LQ
Admission: Prices TBC. Purchase online or at the door
Featuring University Music Choir and Orchestra, with Gryphon School Choir
- Todd: Jazz Missa Brevis
- Purcell: Come ye sons of art, away
- Mozart: Horn Concerto
Location: Student Hall, Talbot House, Bournemouth University, BH12 5BB
Admission: Free
- Copland: Clarinet Sonata
- Finzi: Five Bagatelles
- Natalie Burton (clarinet) and Rob Taylor (piano)
Location: Kimmeridge Hall, Bournemouth University, BH12 5BB
Tickets: £25 (free to under-26s)
Featuring music by Anna Amalie, J.S. Bach, Handel and C.P.E. Bach.
Location: Winchester Cathedral, SO23 9LS
Admission: Free
- Responses: Smith
- Canticles: Dyson in D
- Anthem: Rutter (The Lord is my light and salvation)
June
Location: St Peter's Church, Bournemouth, BH1 2EE
Admission: Free
An eclectic mix of vocal and instrumental music from our scholars and friends.
Location: Talbot Campus, Bournemouth University, BH12 5BB
Admission: Free
A Study Day organised by the Literature and Music Research Group, in partnership with University Music Bournemouth and The Thomas Hardy Society. Through papers, a panel discussion and a lecture recital, we'll explore how place – physically and symbolically – has influenced writers and composers.
Event timetable
- 10.45 – Arrival
- 11.15 – Welcome
- 11.30 – Session 1: Papers "Words, Music and Place" (chaired by Professor Delia da Sousa Correa)
- Professor Robert Fraser – "Words, Music and Nation: Bartók, Vaughan Williams and the Nostalgic Descant of War"
- Dr Robert Samuels – "The Rhine and the Health: mythical landscapes in 19th century words and music"
- 13.00 – Lunch
- 14.15 – Session 2: Panel Discussion "Hardy's Houses" (chaired by Mark Chutter). A panel discussion exploring the theme of words, music and place in relation to some of the Dorset houses that inspired Hardy's writings and the broader area of literary tourism. The session will include readings and musical examples.
- Panellists: Mark Chutter, Sarah Gregson and Kenneth Young, Alban O'Brien, Harriet Still and Professor Hywel Dix.
- 15.45 – Break
- 16.30 – Session 3: Lecture Recital "Song Settings of Dorset Poets" (speaker: Dr Natalie Burton). A lecture recital exploring the theme of words, music and place in relation to song settings of poets with connections to Dorset (William Wordsworth, Thomas Hardy, Robert Louis Stevenson, Rupert Brooke, Sylvia Townsend Warner and Percy Bysshe Shelly). The programme includes songs by John Ireland, Gerald Finzi, Frederick Kelly, Samuel Coleridge Taylor, Harry Burleigh, Liza Lehman and Roger Quilter.
- Tenor: Paul Heaslip
- Bariton: Jonathan Prentice
- Piano: Rob Taylor
