Image of The College Choir in Cloister Court
Credit: Nick Rutter

Music

Whether or not you're studying Music you can get involved with the musical life of the College.

The College Music Society runs termly orchestral concerts with programmes ranging from Bach to Gershwin, as well as informal chamber concerts. Lunchtime and evening recitals are a regular feature of College life.

Many other groups are part of the musical life of the College, including informal singing group the Jesus Singers. Popular electro group Clean Bandit was formed by Jesus students who also held instrumental awards at the College.

Whatever your taste in music, you'll find someone who shares it.

Jesus College Choir

Our Choir is unique in Cambridge as it is open to women as well as men and boys. Male choristers form the Chapel Choir, and both male and female choristers make up the College Choir.

The Chapel choir is one of only three College choirs of its kind in Cambridge. Unlike the others at King’s and St John’s, we recruit trebles from local schools rather than maintaining a choir school. Both choirs tour, broadcast, and record regularly. Recent CDs by the Choir have entered the classical charts in the top ten on their release.

Music facilities

The College has three music practice rooms in Chapel Court, each with an upright piano. The Picken Music Room houses two grand pianos, a clavichord, and sound equipment. The Chapel is home to three organs, a double-manual harpsichord, and a concert Steinway grand piano.

The Chapel provides a beautiful setting for concerts, and events also take place in the Master's Lodge and in other public rooms in the College.

Chapel music

In term time, daily services maintain a rhythm of prayer, including four choral evensongs and a sung Sunday morning eucharist each week. Additional special services and events help to mark the College's year, and the Chapel enjoys strong support from the wider College community and the general public.

The Director of Music, assisted by the two Organ Scholars, is responsible for Chapel music in consultation with the Dean of Chapel.

Awards and scholarships

Jesus College offers an Organ Scholarship in two years out of three, Choral Awards, and instrumental awards annually for players of any orchestral instrument or any keyboard instrument other than the organ.

Choral Awards and Organ Scholarships are available for students in any subject.

Hear from our students