Performance venues

We have three large performance spaces right here on campus.

Sir Jack Lyons Concert Hall

One of the finest acoustics for instrumental and vocal performance in the north of England.

A 350-seat hexagonal concert hall
Hosts performances by professional visiting artists, as well as University ensembles, orchestras, choirs and lunchtime concerts by the student-run Music Society
Full lighting rig, high quality video streaming and recording capabilities for concerts and recitals
Houses a full-sized organ and two Steinway grand pianos
Also used as rehearsal space for many of our ensembles, as well as a practice space for percussionists and organists

The Arthur Sykes Rymer Auditorium

One of the best listening spaces for reproduced sound in the UK, used for the performance of contemporary electronic music and sound art, along with performances from a variety of musical traditions. Available for postgraduate students to use as rehearsal space.

In-house 5.1 Genelec surround-sound system with 16-channel full ambisonics
Full-wall HD projection screen and a Fazioli grand piano
32 analogue tie lines to the SSL-equipped Trevor Jones Recording Studio
Constructed to prevent external noise from entering the space (performs to a PNC specification better than the PNC 15 standard)

Other venues

Central Hall - the distinctive centrepiece of Campus West which can seat up to 1,190 guests. We use it for our largest orchestral and choir concerts, as well as some theatre productions.
In the city - our ensembles often perform at other venues in York, including the world-famous York Minster and National Centre for Early Music.

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