Music & Performing Arts – B2 English Listening Exercise

9 founder 10 basement 11 improvisation 12 posters

13 Union Hall 14 atmosphere 15 lighting

16 donations 17 chemistry 18 summer tour

Leo: Hi everyone, my name is Leo, and I’m here to tell you about my experience running a student-led jazz ensemble at our university. I’m currently in my second year, studying history. Many people assume our jazz ensemble was set up by one of the music professors, or perhaps organised by the student union. But actually, I am the founder of the group, which is something I’m incredibly proud of.

When we first got together, we desperately needed somewhere to practise. I initially hoped we could use the main auditorium, but it was fully booked for the entire term. We briefly considered renting a local studio in town, but that was far too expensive for us. However, we ended up using a damp basement in the music building. It wasn’t glamorous, but it turned out to have amazing acoustics, so it was absolutely perfect for our sound.

Deciding what to play was our next challenge. A few of the classically trained members wanted to stick to traditional sheet music, and others suggested doing modern pop covers to attract a wider audience. Instead, we decided to focus heavily on improvisation, as it really allows everyone to express their own musical personality and keeps the music feeling fresh.

As the term went on, we needed to advertise to get more musicians on board. I thought about paying for social media ads, but as students, we had zero budget to work with. Then, we tried setting up a stall at the freshers’ fair, which got a bit of interest. But what really brought in our best musicians was simply putting up posters around the campus. It’s a very traditional method, but it worked wonders!

After months of practice, we were ready for our first gig. We were offered a slot at a small pub in town, and there was also a chance to play at the local summer festival. In the end, though, we debuted at the Union Hall, which sits right at the heart of the university and holds a lot of history. It just felt like the right place to start.

For that first show, we were honestly quite worried about the turnout. I expected maybe our parents and a few loyal friends to show up. To my absolute surprise, hundreds of students turned up. But what I was most proud of wasn’t the audience size, it was the incredible atmosphere that the crowd created once the music started. Everyone was so supportive and engaged.

To make the venue look the part, we didn’t want standard, bright stage setups. We thought about hanging vintage decorations or even bringing in a smoke machine to make it look dramatic. However, we realised that adjusting the lighting was enough to transform the large, echoing room into a cozy, intimate jazz club.

Of course, running a band isn’t cheap. We needed to buy a decent drum kit and a double bass. We considered charging for tickets at the door, or applying for a university grant. Ultimately, we relied entirely on voluntary donations at the end of our gigs, which generously covered all our equipment costs without excluding anyone from attending.

Recently, we invited a guest singer from the local music scene to perform with us. We were a bit nervous because we hadn’t rehearsed much with her. You’d think the technical skill would be the most crucial thing for a live show, but actually, having good chemistry on stage was what made the performance such a massive success. We just clicked instantly.

Looking ahead, we have some big plans. Several people have suggested we record a studio album, while others want us to enter a national university music competition. What we’re actually focusing our energy on right now is organising a summer tour across a few neighbouring cities. We think taking our music on the road will be a fantastic experience for all of us. Thank you for listening!

9 poetry 10 amateurs 11 flute 12 5 minutes / five minutes

13 recording 14 software 15 music teachers

16 town hall 17 application form 18 magazine

Marcus: Hello everyone. My name is Marcus, and I’m the director of the City Music Society. I’m here today to give you all the details about our annual competition for aspiring composers. This event has been running for ten years now, and it’s always a highlight of our calendar.

Every year, we select a specific concept to guide the composers. Last year, if you remember, the inspiration was ‘the ocean’, which resulted in some beautifully dramatic pieces. We briefly considered using ‘seasons’ for this year’s focus. Instead, we agreed that the central theme would be based on poetry, as it offers such a wonderful rhythm and emotional depth to draw from.

Now, I want to clarify who is eligible to enter. The society runs various events throughout the year, some of which are open to professionals. However, we want to give everyday enthusiasts a chance to shine, so this particular contest is exclusively for amateurs. If you earn your main living from writing music, I’m afraid you cannot take part.

There is also a restriction on the instrumentation. Two years ago, we asked for piano pieces, and there was a rumour going around that this time we’d be asking for a composition featuring the violin. Actually, we have decided that all entries must be written for the flute. We feel its expressive qualities perfectly match this year’s theme.

When it comes to the duration of the piece, we have to be quite strict. We certainly aren’t looking for a twenty-minute symphony! While some committee members suggested a ten-minute limit, we felt that might be too demanding. Therefore, your composition must not exceed 5 minutes. Anything longer will be disqualified.

Submitting your entry is straightforward, but please pay attention to the requirements. We obviously need the written sheet music, which you can send as a PDF. But it’s not enough to just send us a computer-generated MIDI file. You are also required to provide a high-quality recording of the piece being played live. It doesn’t have to be a studio-quality production, but we need to hear the human element.

Let’s talk about the prize! In the early days of the competition, we used to offer a cash reward, and last year we gave away a brand new instrument. This year, thanks to a generous sponsor, the winner will receive a package of professional music software. It’s an incredible tool for any aspiring composer to have on their computer.

The judging process is always rigorous. People often ask if we get famous concert pianists or university professors to evaluate the entries. While that would be wonderful, we rely on the expertise within our own community. So, the panel will consist of several highly experienced music teachers from schools in the area. They know exactly what makes a good melody!

The highlight of the competition is, of course, the live performance of the winning piece. We usually hold our concerts in the university auditorium, but it’s currently undergoing renovations. We looked at the local theatre, but eventually, we managed to secure the town hall for the evening. It has fantastic acoustics, so it will sound brilliant.

If you’re feeling inspired and want to take part, please don’t just send me an email with your music attached. You need to go to our society’s website and download the official application form. Fill that out completely and attach it to your submission.

Finally, the winner will also get some great exposure. We always announce the results on the local radio station, which is great, but this year, the winner will also be featured in an interview for a well-known arts magazine. It’s a fantastic opportunity to get your name out there! I wish you all the best of luck.