Making Music - Connecting Communities

Musician and activist Ezé joined us in Durham from 18 October – 8 November 2023, as a collaboration between Modern Languages and University College.  

With Making Music – Connecting Communities we invited all people from Durham and beyond to make music together, listen, ask, dance, share, and enjoy the experience together.  

The student-produced film of this creative project can be viewed below. Access the Ezé in Concert Booklet.

Theatre and Music

There’s a huge range of theatre, music and arts going on at University College. From our Castle Concert Orchestra to the Chapel Choir, Castle Big Band to Castle Theatre Company, there are events and opportunities for everyone. We regularly host productions and performances in our college spaces, from the Great Hall to our Norman Chapel. Our students get involved in a wide range of visual and performing arts in College and across the University and wider region. 

Durham Castle and our accommodation buildings has also featured as a venue for the biannual Lumiere light festival – the largest light festival in the UK.

Theatre 

We have a number of drama groups through which you can get involved either 'behind the scenes' or in performance (whether you have acted before or not!). Our longest-running group are called the 'Castle Theatre Company'. Our students put on outstanding performances throughout the year, performing in the University's assembly rooms theatre and in various venues around College including our atmospheric Norman chapel and our Undercroft bar. 

Music rooms 

There are two music practice rooms in Bailey Court and one room specifically for recording. We also have a boudoir grand piano of concert standard. The rooms are available for all Castle students, as well as students of the Music Department. Both practice rooms have claviola pianos. The recording studio is open for use for any student with appropriate previous experience.