Friday Night is Music Night: Welcome Week 2026

Kickstart the new academic year with the Welcome Week Orchestra and Chorus, conducted by Rebecca Miller, in an evening celebrating the breadth and energy of music-making at Royal Holloway. Explore repertoire ranging from the golden age of light music to the very best in film and TV scores, alongside choral favourites and works spanning centuries of musical history.

From rip-roaring marches and evocative orchestral miniatures to Tippett’s powerful spirituals, much-loved songs and Renaissance gems, this vibrant showcase brings together new students from across the University to make music, meet one another and start the year in style.

Friday night is music night!

Event programme

This concert will include:

Morton Gould (1912-1996): American Salute
Pietro Mascagni (1863-1945): Intermezzo from Cavalleria rusticana
Leroy Anderson (1908-1975): Selection from Sandpaper, Waltzing Cat, Fiddle Faddle, Farnon Jumping Bean
Eric Coates (1886-1957): The Dam Busters March
Michael Tippett (1905-1998): 'Steal Away' & 'Deep River' from A Child of Our Time
Harold Arlen (1905-1986; arr. Russ Robinson): Over the Rainbow
Rosephanye Powell (b. 1962): Non Nobis, Domine
Ola Gjeilo (b. 1978): Ubi caritas
Orlando Gibbons (1583-1625): The silver swan

Get involved

The Welcome Week Orchestra is an important part of bringing new and returning students together at the beginning of each academic year. It is compulsory for students enrolled at Music at Royal Holloway to be involved in either the orchestra or choir, but we also welcome any other new student from a different discipline.

If you are a new or returning student at Royal Holloway, and would like to get involved as a vocalist or instrumentalist, then please visit this webpage on Student Intranet (link embedded).

Our performers

Rebecca Miller is Principal Conductor of the Bishop's Stortford Sinfonia, Principal Conductor of the Royal Orchestral Society, Director of Orchestras at Royal Holloway University, and Principal Guest Conductor of the Orchestra of the Swan. Celebrated for her energetic and compelling presence on the podium, Rebecca is a champion of unjustly-neglected female composer and renowned for her extensive work with young musicians. Read more.