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Joining the Society and Auditions

If you would like to join the Big Band Society, just come and sign up at the Freshers' Fair on Friday 7 October - not the Thursday. Membership is completely free. In addition to this, we have amazing socials to get everyone involved, (probably) the best tours in the world and free entry into many of the University's most exclusive balls and parties. You also get to meet amazing people and play in an incredible Big Band (and small groups too if that's your thing).

If you play trumpet, trombone or sax then you can come along to BUJO with no audition once you've signed up with the society. If you want to play in Hornstars you'll need to sign up for an audition, and if you want to sing or play drums, bass, guitar or piano in BUJO you'll need to audition as well. The one audition covers both bands. Everybody who had one of these places last year will have to audition again this year, so all the places are up for grabs.

Usually the audition consists of a piece you've prepared in advance, some sight reading, some banter and a jam where you can do some improvisation if you want. The auditions are really informal, so there's nothing to be scared of.

See you in September.

Big Band Honoured at the Society Awards!

The Big Band Society has once again been honoured at the Students' Union Society Awards! The society won the award for Best Trip for its tour to Valencia last year and our society president, Charlie Simpson, also was presented with Societies Legend award for his contribution to the society over the past three years.

Summer Tour

The highlight of the year for many members is only 4 weeks away. This year the summer tour will be to Lake Garda (Italy) where both bands will perform in the local Jazz festival. It promises to be bigger and better than previous years with 74 people attending and taking over an entire hotel.

BUJO on the Steps

Its going to be a busy few weeks for the Big Band society with lots of gigs before the annual tour. There is an outdoor public concert on the Victoria steps on the 24th of June with BUJO performing. This is an awesome gig to raise money for charity and last year we could be heard as far away as College Green!

Epi Takeover with UCL Big Band

The award winning Epi Takeover returned this year for the final time before the closure of the eponymous Epi Bar. This year, the University College London Big Band played, as well as the usual BUJO and Hornstars sets. This was a brilliant event with the Epi bar packed full, including many previous members who travelled back to Bristol to attend.

Albums Available

Both Hornstars and BUJO have released two albums: Hornstars - Merchants of Menace/Got Funk and BUJO - Live in the Avon Gorge/Big Bad Big Band. Both albums are available to buy for £5 each by contacting our webmaster.