University of Reading Music is an extracurricular music department. As there is no music degree here at Reading, everything we do is for all students and colleagues to enjoy, no matter what their subject is.
Led by Artistic Director Victoria Ely and Music Programme Coordinator Auguste Copeland, along with a team of professional musicians, there is something for everyone, whether you’re interested in Classical, Rock or Jazz (and more!).
We work closely with University of Reading Student Societies who offer excellent music making opportunities for students on campus – Band Society, Reading University Music Society (RUMS) and Singer-Songwriter society.
Big Band, Choir, Orchestra, and Percussion Ensemble are professionally led ensembles run by the University of Reading Music, whilst Brass Ensemble, RUMS Choir, Concert Band, Jazz Band and String Ensemble are RUMS (student) led ensembles.
All musicians are involved in regular ensemble rehearsals, performances both large and small, solo performance opportunities and much much more.
We also run the UoR LIVE! programme, in which we collaborate with other student societies to hold regular jam nights both on campus and in town and other live music events for all to enjoy. To get involved visit UoR LIVE page.
Dedicated rehearsal facilities are located in L29 at the London Road campus and individual practice rooms are also available to book.
University of Reading Music provides a range of incredible performance opportunities throughout the year. From gigs at the Student’s Union (RUSU), to performing at University events and in festivals and venues further afield, there are plentiful opportunities. Visit our website to find out more about upcoming events and performances.
University of Reading Music co-ordinate a range of ensembles for singers and instrumentalists, largely made up of students from across the University. Our musical community gives you opportunities to make friends for life outside of your degree.
Click here to find out more about our ensembles.
As you browse our pages, please feel free to get in touch if you have any questions at music@reading.ac.uk.
UoR Music Team
Victoria Ely, Artistic Director, Choir and Orchestra Leader
A versatile conductor with a fresh approach to music-making, Victoria is in demand across the UK and Europe. She has worked extensively with both professional and amateur ensembles, including Mid-Wales Opera, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Schleswig-Holstein Festival and Cumbria Rural Choirs, and appears frequently as guest conductor for other ensembles. In 2016 Victoria founded the international award-winning chamber choir, Evoke, of which she is artistic director and she is also music director for the Thames Valley Gay Chorus. Recognised for her ability to enthuse and engage musicians, Victoria is regularly invited as a workshop leader for festivals, recently appearing at AMJ Eurotreff (Germany), European Choral Association – Europa Cantat (Hungary), Cranleigh Choral Week and the Worcester International Festival for Young Singers.
Throughout her career Victoria has performed in some of the leading venues across the UK; the Royal Albert Hall in London, Bridgewater Hall in Manchester and St David’s Hall in Cardiff. She has extensive experience as an ensemble singer, performing with the likes of the North German Radio Symphony Orchestra (NDR), City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus, St Endellion Festivals and numerous recordings for disc and film.
Victoria teaches conducting both privately and with Voces Academy, an independent provider of high-level conductor training and choral development programmes. She is also a respected facilitator and leadership coach in executive education, working globally with some of the world’s leading organisations and frequently invited to join the executive education programmes at the Saïd Business School, Oxford University.
Victoria began her career in her native Australia where she obtained Bachelor’s degrees in Music (Piano Performance) and Business before relocating to the UK to undertake a MMus Choral Conducting at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (RWCMD), from which she graduated with Distinction. Whilst at RWCMD Victoria studied under Neil Ferris, Simon Halsey CBE and Sarah Tenant-Flowers, and has also received tuition from a number of internationally respected conductors including Rodney Eichenberger (USA), Fred Sjöberg (Sweden), Jo-Michael Sheibe (USA), Peter Hanke (Denmark) and Karen Grylls (NZ).
In 2014 Victoria was awarded the Noël Minet Fund Scholarship from the European Choral Association and in 2015 she received an award from the Arts Foundation, an organisation dedicated to supporting future leaders in the Arts.
Dae Lee, Big Band Leader
Dae Lee is a drummer, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and educator. He has worked with entertainers and organisations such as George Fenton, Craig Revel Horwood, The David Attenborough Group, Melody Thornton (Pussycat Dolls), Bob Chilcott, Brian Blessed, The BBC, Netflix, Shane Ritchie, Leslie Garrett, the London Swing Orchestra, National Youth Jazz Orchestra (ambassador), Thomas Adès, Don Broco, Nico Muhly, Pete Firman, Ian Talbot OBE, Malory Torr, Byron Wallen, Thierry Pécou, and has also performed for Queen Elizabeth II. His contributions to various albums has seen individual tracks rank no. 1 on the UK Jazz charts on numerous occasions.
Venues and studio work include Abbey Road Studios, Ronnie Scotts Jazz Club, Royal Albert Hall, Wimbledon Pantomime (drums and perc), Cadogan Hall, Love Supreme Jazz Festival (Yamaha Tent), Royal Festival Hall, Barbican, O2 Indigo, Pizza Express Jazz Club (Dean Street, Pheasantry, Birmingham, Maidenhead), Beijing Concert Hall, Budapest Jazz Club, BBC Hyde Park Festival, Livingston Studios, and Metropolis Studios. Dae has also worked for labels such as Universal Music Group (Earth Orchestra) and Decca Records (The Boy Downstairs: Netflix). Alongside his UK touring experience, Dae has had opportunities performing in South America, Europe, North Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.
Dae’s dedication to education in the arts has led him to engage with numerous organisations and charitable initiatives, such as The Thames Youth Orchestra, Bristol Hornstars, and the Reading University Big Band. Additionally, he provides private drum tuition at Wellington College and Epsom College, whilst also leading rhythm workshops at the Royal Ballet School.
Auguste Copeland, Music Coordinator