ARE YOU MAD?

One of the main things that attracts many people to Exeter is the College’s abundance of MADness - music, art and drama. We pride ourselves on having plenty of things for the artistically minded to sink their teeth (or guitars, or violins, or pianos, or voices... etc) into - sometimes even scientists and mathematicians get involved.

Music

First of all, we have the Chapel Choir - one of the best mixed choirs in Oxford, which sings four times a week. For those of you looking for something less demanding and time-consuming, Exeter also boasts a non-auditioned mixed choir, cunningly named the Exeteras. We also have our very own orchestra, again non-auditioned, which rehearses every Friday and has concerts every term. If classical music isn’t your thing, we also have a jazz band, which gets bigger and better every year. For whatever music group you belong to (and if we don’t have what you want, it’s incredibly easy to start one yourself) we have the Chapel, with its fantastic acoustic, as one of the best concert venues in Oxford.

There are also many opportunities to show off your amazing solo talent- there is a Rector’s music evening once a term, plus jazz evenings, open mic nights, karaoke, and the pinnacle of musical attainment - Ex Vactor, which even the least talented have been known to win, raising money for Ex Vac, the College charity, in the process.

Art

If music isn’t your thing and you are a budding artist instead, then there is still plenty to occupy you. Why not use your spare to time to enter a College art or photography competition? Or even just do it for fun - last year saw several works of art by Exeter students being displayed around the College, including the skeleton of a bird house in the middle of the quad. However, if the thought of putting pen to paper yourself causes you to break out in a cold sweat, you can still appreciate the art of others every day in your very own room - the JCR has an extensive art collection, from which any student living in College can choose pieces to hang in their room for the year.

Drama

Drama-wise, Exeter students are extremely involved in plays both within and outside College, in performance, directing, production and even writing. Students are often given financial aid from the JCR to help productions that they are involved in, and putting on College productions is encouraged and supported. As Freshers, your first opportunity to get involved with drama at Oxford will be in the Cuppers competition in Michaelmas, where first years from each College showcase their talent in 30 minute productions of their own choosing.

Turl Street Arts Festival

In 5th week of Hilary Term, all aspects of MAD come together in Turl Street Arts Festival - an
annual event held jointly between Exeter, Jesus and Lincoln. If you would like to be Exeter’s Rep for this event and get a say in organising the whole shebang, look out for messages about it from me or the Chaplain. Likewise, this years’ Treasurer or Secretary must come from Exeter, so if you are good with money / keeping meticulous minutes, let me know asap. If you would prefer to have a less responsibility-heavy role, then get your thinking caps on about events that you would like to organise for the Festival: concerts, plays, art competitions, origami, juggling, poetry readings - anything goes!

General

Finally, this year will hopefully see the resurrection of the College Music and Drama Societies, as
well as the Arts Committee. If you have any interest in being involved in these, keep your eyes peeled during Freshers’ Week, send me an email or grab me around College.

Jenni Payne

MAD rep

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