The Big Band is not just a Big Band, but three smaller jazz, dance and swing bands with over 40 talented musicians playing music from Goodwin to Gershwin and of course Glenn Miller. Our evening rehearsals are held at the Avery Hill campus.
You can find out more about the history and information of the Big Band here
Rehearsals
We are now rehearsing in term time at Southwood House, Room SH004, Avery Hill Campus. Contact us to join.
Upcoming Events
The Roaring Twenties
Big Band Charity Concert
Supporting The 杏吧app下载 And Bexley Community Hospice
Sun 19th May 2024
3 pm
Venue:
David Fussey Lecture Theatre, Fussey Building,
Southwood Campus, Avery Hill , SE9 2UG
Welcome to The Roaring Twenties Big Band Charity Concert!
Tickets are free, but there will be a leaving collection for the local 杏吧app下载 and Bexley Community Hospice.
Get ready to step back in time to the era of flappers, jazz, and prohibition.
Join us Sunday 19 May, 2024 - 3 pm at the University of 杏吧app下载 Southwood Site for an evening of swinging tunes and dancing.
Put on your best Gatsby-inspired outfit and enjoy the sounds of a live big band as we raise funds for a good cause. Don't miss out on this opportunity to experience the glamour and excitement of the 1920s! The concert includes illustrations and images and early film clips to illustrate life in this creative decade.
Click here for travel directions
Previous Events
Sunday 2 April 2023 at 3:00pm Easter Parade Concert
The Big Band performed music by the great composers Irving Berlin and Cole Porter - Music Made in America - with illustrations and images on their lives, songs, shows and films.
Irving Berlin was one of the greatest songwriters in American history. During his 60 year career, he wrote over 1,500 songs, including scores for 19 Broadway shows. Easter Parade is one of his songs and the title for the 1948 film.
Cole Porter was born to a wealthy family in Indiana. He defied the wishes of parents, and took up music as a profession, began to achieve success in the 1920s and by 1930s was one of the major songwriters for the Broadway musical stage. Like Berlin he wrote the lyrics as well as the music for his songs.
In support of , Rochester.
Sunday 4 December 2022: Swing Into Christmas
University Big Band gave a fun-filled program of yuletide songs with a jazzy theme. The program also featured a selection of sparkling Big Band and Swing classics - the perfect swinging start to the Christmas festivities!
The concert also included an exciting visual presentation illustrating the development of big band and jazz music over the last 100 years and how that music has influenced the lives of all of us.
In support of Demelza Hospice Care For Children.
Sunday 27 March 2022: Charity Big Band Concert - "The Avery Hill Story - In Words, Pictures, and Music
In support of the local Demelza Hospice Children- a charity supporting families across Kent, South East London and East Sussex - The leaving collection raised 拢535 for Demelza
Saturday 7 May 2022: Biggin Hill Memorial Museum
The University Big Band performed a VE Day concert at Biggin Hill with live 1940s-themed music. Due to it raining the performance took place in the historic Chapel. We expect to be be back at the museum in September with another concert. Full information will be available on the Biggin Hill Museum website -
The University Big Band performed music of Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Sinatra, Bubl茅, and other great Jazz and Big Band classics. Other activities in the park on the day included Outdoor Theatre by Woolwich Tramshed performers, and craft activities for children. More information can be found here.
Contacting us
How to join the big band
If you are interested in playing the Big Band Music Group welcomes applications from staff and students who would like to be part of the jazz experience - good music sight reading needed. We can also support students who wish to start their own band group within the university.
The Bands also accept bookings for university and private events across the region.
To find out more contact Band Manager Fred Parrett on 020-8460-2116 or e-mail: bigband@gre.ac.uk.