MagSoc, formally the St Margaret’s Society of Queens’, is the Queens’ College Music Society. Founded in 1884, MagSoc is one of the longest-running music societies in Cambridge. Please feel free to get in touch with Lewis Owen (lo250)

MagSoc is proud to be home to the MagSoc chorus, the largest non-audition chorus in Cambridge. The Chorus joins together with the MagSoc orchestra to perform one large-scale work a term in concert. Recently performed works include Mozart’s Requiem, Poulenc’s Gloria, Haydn’s Nelson Mass and Fauré’s Requiem. Rehearsals take place on Thursday evenings in Queens’ Chapel, 8.00-10.00. Rehearsals are informal and fun, and include a wine break! MagSoc is also home to Consortium Reginae, a Chamber Choir which performs throughout the year at concerts and events including the MagSoc May Week Concert and college May Balls, as well as performing as part of the MagSoc recital series.

The MagSoc Orchestra joins with the chorus for one large-scale concert a term.  Rehearsals take place in the fortnight before each concert, and good sight readers are always welcome. Additionally, there is the Stanford Orchestra, which rehearses weekly on a Saturday evening from 7.00 – 8.30 in the Bowett Room. The Stanford Orchestra invites players of all standards to participate and performs a Concert once a term, usually in the college Chapel. If you’re interested in playing in either orchestra, please contact MagSoc’s Orchestral Manager Camilla Biggs (cfmb2).

QJazz is Queens’ very own big band, playing everything from classic swing numbers to some serious funk. The band is non-audition, and anyone and everyone is welcome!  Rehearsals take place weekly on Saturday afternoons in the Bowett Room, and the band aims to play lots of gigs throughout the year. There are spaces for trumpets, trombones, saxes and rhythm section players as well as singers – if you have any questions please contact Lewis Owen (lo250).

For recitals and soloists, MagSoc holds recitals once a week on a Monday evening in the Chapel. The recitals last around half an hour and are free, so it’s a great chance to listen to some of the music going on in College. We are always looking for people interested in putting on recitals, either solo performances or groups, or as part of a larger program. Furthermore, there is often at least one concerto in the end of term concert, and we are happy to hear from anyone interested in performing. For more information about recitals please email Camilla Biggs (cfmb2), and for information about concertos contact Lewis Owen (lo250)

MagSoc prides itself on encouraging and providing opportunities for student conductors.  There are numerous opportunities available, from conducting the large Chorus and Orchestra or the Stanford Orchestra, or perhaps the more intimate Consortium Reginae or even QJazz. MagSoc holds a concert once a year for student conductors who have never conducted before, so don’t worry if you have no experience! If you are interested or have any more questions contact Lewis Owen (lo250)

For more information about MagSoc, and music at Queens’ and in the university, check out our website ( http://www.srcf.ucam.org/magsoc/ ), find us at the CUSU and Queens’ Freshers’ Fairs, or email Lewis Owen (lo250).