Durham University Orchestral Society is one of Durham University's premier orchestral societies. It consists of two high-calibre ensembles: a full-scale Symphony Orchestra and a Chamber Orchestra. Each rehearses once per week and performs at least once per term. DUOS undertakes 7 large-scale projects each year, often in collaboration with other music societies within the university, performing in venues such as Durham Cathedral, Gala Theatre, Elvet Methodist Church, and St. Oswald's Church, with repertoire including Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique, Shostakovich's 5th & 10th Symphony, Mahler's First Symphony, Beethoven's 5th & 9th Symphony, and Mozart's Requiem.

 

DUOS is an auditioned orchestra. Auditions take place during fresher's week with more information closer to date. Most of our players perform at Grade 8 to Diploma level or above However, don't let this put you off! We don't require applicants to have completed any music exams, and we strongly encourage you to audition if you are at all interested. 

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Rehearsals and concerts only make up part of your time, as there is also a vibrant social side: we run regular socials, host parties, and put on events like our annual black-tie ball.

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We pride ourself on being entirely student-led. This means all of our Executive Committee and Conductors are students at the university. That said, we regularly welcome professionals from institutions such as the Northern Sinfonia and the RNCM who hold masterclasses and sectionals, notably during our week-long course at the end of Easter term known as 'DUOS Week.' We also benefit from regular masterclasses with professional conductors such as Peter Stark and Jac Van Steen.

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In addition to all this, each Easter break we go on tour to Europe and in the past have visited Madrid, Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Budapest, Ljubljana, Barcelona, Munich, and most recently, Amsterdam.