Are you interested in becoming a member of the USKO? You can come by during our so called ‘open rehearsals’. During these, you can rehearse with us without any strings attached. The open rehearsals after the summer break have already taken place, but you are more than welcome in march!
Are you studying in Utrecht? Do you like classical music and socializing? Do you play an instrument, sing or just want to try out singing? Then come to the USKO! We are the nicest and largest student music company in the Netherlands and are looking for new enthusiastic members. We rehearse weekly and have a drink together every week. Every autumn the USKO goes to Bachkamp where in one week the St. Matthew Passion, Johannes Passion or the Hohe Messe by J.S. Bach is being rehearsed. Theater on a colorful evening, themed activities, football matches, 'sewing bears' and legendary bar nights are also part of the camp experience. We then perform the Bach project three times in the Netherlands and four times on foreign tours. The previous tour went to Denmark and Sweden.
In addition to Bach, the USKO annually performs a classic and an unknown work. Concerts often take place alternately in the Jacobikerk in Utrecht and in a church elsewhere in the country and are concluded with a closing party where the feet go off the floor. Throughout the USKO year, open stages, karaoke nights, canoe trips and football games are organized.
Open rehearsals and introduction
The orchestra is looking for bassoonists, double bass players, trumpeters and percussionists. There is also room for trombonists and tuba players on a project basis. For the orchestra, auditions are held. You can register for an audition by sending an email to orco@usko.nl stating your name, instrument and study. Because the line-up varies per program, it is also possible to send a registration if your instrument is not listed above. You will then receive more information about upcoming projects and waiting lists.
If you're interested in singing in our choir, you can contact us via koorco@usko.nl. There is room for every voice color in the choir. Especially in the tenor section; they could certainly use reinforcements. Participation in the choir is for everyone! Anyone can sing along, untrained or expert; together we work towards high quality concerts.
Everyone is welcome to sing and play along for an evening. The Introductory Weekend takes place every October – solving a mystery, playing games, eating well and going out at a local pub. At the moment we only accept UU/HU students, the exception to this applies to tenors and the instruments mentioned above.
Practical information
The choir and orchestra rehearse together on rehearsal days, tuttis and at Bachkamp. The weekly rehearsals are separate. Weekly rehearsals take place in room 0.24 of Cultuurcentrum Parnassos, Kruisstraat 201, 3584 GK Utrecht. The orchestra rehearses on Wednesday evenings, from 20:00 to 22:30. The choir rehearses on Thursday evenings, also from 20:00 to 22:30. The costs of membership at the USKO consist of: Annual subscription: €105 (3 programs) Bachkamp: between €230,- and €260,- (accommodation, meals, etc.) Tour: approx. €425 (bus trip, accommodations, meals, activities, etc.) For more information you can send an email to usko@usko.nl.
Watch the video below to get an impression of the USKO.
