We are the Warwick Chinese Orchestra Society (WCOS). Here you will find a group of student musicians who are passionate about promoting traditional Chinese music to the wider student community. We have been doing this since 2011. Our aim is to build a bridge between Chinese and western music and culture through orchestral and solo performances.
Over the years, we have done various performances including World Music Concert, ChiSoc charity ball, CDS Summit and Warwick Blackout event. We have also held several annual concerts of our own, including free lunchtime concerts and solo concerts. We aim to host music workshops throughout the year to introduce students to the world of traditional Chinese music and a chance to learn how to play an instrument for those who are interested.
With various types of events, we hope to bring people together from all backgrounds through music!
You don’t have to be a musician to join us! We welcome anyone who has a passion for Chinese traditional music. Plus, it is free to become a member of this amazing society!
Please see the ‘Join Us’ section below for more information about how to join us.
Rehearsals
Orchestra rehearsal is every Monday from 17:00 to 19:00 in the Art Centre Ensemble room (this may vary year on year, please check with society execs for exact rehearsal details).
Members can access practice room 1 and any other practice rooms to rehearse in their own time. Also, we own instruments that can be accessed and used by members for general practice and rehearsal or for specific performances. To find which instruments are available, please contact us via our social media platforms provided below.
Concerts
Each year we hold several concerts, including collaborations with other societies and the Warwick Music Center.
- In term 1 we usually have a free Lunchtime concert in which our players will perform pieces from an array of genres and styles of music. We also perform in the annual New Year Gala organized by ChiSoc, which takes place around Chinese New Year.
- In term 2, we usually perform in the World Music Extravaganza, hosted by Warwick Music Centre, in collaboration with other musical orchestras, bands and performers to showcase music from across the world.
- In late term 2 or term 3, we host a solo concert in which our players can present the unique beauty of their instrument to the audience.
Some of our concerts are subject to change on an annual basis, but you can keep up to date with the latest information about them via our social media.
Performance during 2022 ChiSoc New Year Gala
Performance during World Music Extravaganza at the Warwick Art Centre
Performance during 2021 Open Rehearsals
Workshops
These are sessions in which you can learn about the beauty of the Chinese traditional instruments, their history, how they are played and have the chance to have a hands-on experience of learning how to play each instrument! We will keep you posted about any upcoming workshops around the year.
We are also hoping to launch a new mentor scheme, which is to offer music lessons to members who wish to learn a new instrument or to enhance their existing skills!
If things are looking merrier in academics year 22-23, we may be able to have this scheme up and running!
Join Us
Auditions/Interviews will be held at the beginning of term 1 after our Welcome Talk. Details of which are listed below and also accessible via Wechat, Facebook and Instagram.
Don’t worry, it is very relaxed and not strict ~ This is just a chance for us to get to know each other.
For potential players:
The audition takes place in two steps.
- Firstly, you need to send a video of you performing a piece of your choice to our email, warwickwcos@gmail.com.
- Then we will contact you for an online interview with a few of our execs, just to get to know each other a bit better. Whether you will be asked to sight-read an extract from a piece during the session or not will be finalised closer to the interview time and we will keep you updated via messages in the WeChat group.
For those who don’t play an instrument:
It is very easy to become an active part of this society! As part of the application form we send out to all members, you can apply to the following roles by sending us your manifesto:
- Music Director
- Media Director
Or see our Co-ordinator recruitement which opens this summer!
The criteria for each role will be shared via WeChat, Facebook and Instagram. It is not necessary to have done relevant roles in the past to apply! You can pick up the skills really easily and will be a definite booster for our exec election!
Or contact president Grace Huang if you have any further queries: Grace.Huang@warwick.ac.uk
If you want to simply enjoy the music, not to apply to any of the above roles, that's totally fine too!
As a member, you will be the first to hear about our new online and in-person events! We will also be sending bonus content to our WeChat public account “ WCOS”.
Or, you could attend our workshops if you wish to learn a new instrument or to have some hands-on experience actually touching and playing the instruments by yourself!
Our 2022-2023 Exec Team
President: Grace Huang
Secretary: Amber Wang
Treasurer: Jiaolong Bu
Treasurer Co-or: Yiyuan Zhang
Marketing Director: Kristen Xia
Marketing Co-or: Recruitment Ongoing
Media Director: Recruitment Ongoing
Media Co-or:
Music Director: Bolu Wang
Music Co-or:
Producer: Rongjian Zhu
Event Manager & Welfare Officer: Kristen Xia
Event Co-or:
(Join us now and become one of us!)
Contact Us
Facebook: warwickcos (https://www.facebook.com/warwickcos/)
Wechat: WCOS (public account) & group chats (see QR code shared across our platforms)
Instagram: warwick_chineseorchestra (https://www.instagram.com/warwick_chineseorchestra/?hl=en)
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwXQIW26U0I2i2kXbbTzYLg/about
Email: warwickwcos@gmail.com
Bilibili: UID7534960973