Dream of the opera house: Uni Choir becomes a university group

"It actually started when I realized I wanted to sing in a choir," says Derya Uzun. The student teacher (German, History, Performing Arts) did some research and found a few choirs in Bayreuth - but none of them on campus. The old University Choir was a club that had disbanded in the wake of the coronavirus restrictions. First, she got in touch with its former head, and finally contacted the student parliament.

"There, the idea was greeted with enthusiasm. However, it took a while until we became a university group," she explains. StuPa's general meeting voted unanimously in favour of its foundation. Derya Uzun is still a private person, but the university group will be founded next year. "When the incidence rates decrease, we can will be able to rent a room as a university group and sing there."

Uzun would like the theatre room for rehearsals, but it is already heavily booked. Since one board member would be able to bring an electric piano, however, other venues would also be conceivable. At the moment, there is still a lot of room to manoeuvre. But the committed student encounters many interested people. "At the campus evening, more students came to my stand than I had expected," she says. "I believe that especially because of coronavirus, many people are looking for community."

Therefore, Derya Uzun, together with the other members of the board, is trying to create as relaxed an atmosphere as possible. "Through my studies in Performing Arts, I have been able to learn some techniques we wish to use in rehearsals," she explains.

Two musical styles are planned for the new University Choir: classical music, such as by Mozart or Schubert, and popular music, such as songs from musicals. "But if there is a desire to sing something else in the choir, we will be open to that as well."

Alongside Derya Uzun are Lea Niehaus, Nic Schilling and Felix Brendel. Niehaus and Uzun form the organisational part of the board, while Schilling and Brendel are the musical directors on the board. Nic Schilling is in charge of the popular music section and Felix Brendel of the classical music section. Lea Niehaus is the organisational head and mainly looking after social media accounts. She also answers emails and will be responsible for room planning. Uzun will be acting in both areas and ensure smooth cooperation. "Our two conductors bring a lot of experience with them," says Uzun. This means that the choir is well set up for the future.

And the board of the Uni Choir has big plans for the future. "I assume that there will be around 60 singers at the beginning," says Uzun. In the long term, she expects around 100 participants. These could be students, University staff or people from Bayreuth who enjoy singing.

After all, the University Choir team intends to give concerts. "A dream would of course be to sing in the opera house," Uzun adds with a laugh. But before that, our start will have to be successful. When the pandemic finally allows a rehearsal. "Hopefully after the Christmas break.