Societies

Your one source for all information about college societies.

Download the Sports and Societies booklet - especially produced for Freshers' Week this is your bible for all college sports and societies.

CHRIST’S COLLEGE MUSIC SOCIETY (CCMS)

Chair: Charles Blackham (cahb2)

Music happens in Cambridge. A lot. Christ’s is particularly stunning. Whatever you play, however you sing, we will have activities and a lot of alcohol for you! Come along to our stall at the Societies Fair to find out more and to join our mailing list. The mind boggles as to what more anyone could possibly want… Here is a sample of the pastimes, activities and crazes of Christ’s (musicians)

Christ’s Voices... is the College’s non-audition choir. Open to all! Please come! Concerts are often followed with lots of wine, and rehearsals with pub visits. If you weren’t already convinced to come along you must be by now… rehearsals are held in the LLOYD ROOM (third court) at 6pm-8pm on MONDAYS. Come! If you’re into conducting or accompanying, talk to me!

Christ’s Orchestra... is, well, isn’t it fairly self-explanatory? An orchestra open to all and sundry that performs one concert a term. Rehearsals are few and far-between, and thus ideal. Please get in touch if you’re even vaguely interested in conducting or just like the idea of being in charge.

Recitals… take place on some SATURDAYS at 1.15pm in the CHAPEL (first court). There will be one especially for freshers, in which you WILL be performing. Baroque, folk, rock: we welcome you! We have meals and parties and trips and jamathons and competitions and SO MUCH MORE.

So yeah, don’t miss out. Contact Charles Blackham (Chair - cahb2) for more details.More information will be sent your way and you can always check out our noticeboard outside Upper Hall to find out what’s happening or our website (www.christsmusic.org.uk).

CADS (Christ’s Amateur Dramatic Society)

CADS, Christ's Amateur Dramatic Society, is one of the most thriving societies within Christ's. Benefiting from the College's own theatre, CADS puts on a number of performances throughout the year, including a pantomime and a Freshers' Play performed entirely by first years. Mixed in amongst plays are a number of sketch shows, which often provide a little bit of light relief amidst the hectic Cambridge terms. The majority of the work performed by CADS is original, meaning there is a tremendous opportunity for budding writers to begin writing for the stage and/or to hone their skills. Though the standards of performances are usually high, the emphasis is very much on enjoyment and the 'amateur' art of the acronym!

No experience of acting is required to join, whilst usually showing up to an audition guarantees a place in the chorus at least! For details of how to get involved and information about some of our past and upcoming performances e-mail the President, Matt Sherr at mgs39@cam.ac.uk

RAG

RAG, or ‘Raise and Give’ (which is considerably less pun worthy), is a UK wide university charity organisation, with only one goal; to raise as much money as possible (and to have as much fun as possible while doing it). Christ's RAG has had a meteoric rise in the past few years, and is now among the most successful in the University, only narrowing losing out to the Goliath Trinity for the top spot last year.

We run events throughout the term, ranging from weekly Pub Quizzes to termly themed SuperHalls, there's even an event ominously entitled 'Handcuffing' though you'll have to wait to see what this one is about). We also act as a conduit for the malevolent minds at Central RAG, who organise large, University wide events, such as weekly raids (standing outside, with a bucket, occasionally wearing something silly (like a gorilla suit) and begg... asking for money), Blind Date (which always produces some great stories) and Jailbreak (seeing how far from Cambridge you can get in 36 hours for free).

While we try to never lose sight of our primary goal of raising money for charity, we always try to have as much fun as possible while doing it. Here at Christ's RAG we hold meetings every fortnight to discuss ideas for new events (nothing is ever too silly not to be considered, and everyone is invited to share theirs), to assign the running of projects to members and to assign roles such as selling tickets and scrounging prizes). Everyone is welcome (nay, encouraged) to come along, and we welcome help/ideas from every quarter.

So whether you want to be involved in the week-to-week running of Christs RAG, or just want to have an adventure, RAG has a lot to offer. If you want any more information, find us at the Fresher's Fair, our squash during Fresher's Week, or email me (Paul) at pjtv2.

CHRIST’S COLLEGE FILM SOCIETY

Christ's Film Society screens cinema-quality 35mm films twice a week during the Michaelmas and Lent terms. With the recent refurbishments to the New Court Theatre, including the long-awaited addition of a Dolby Digital soundbox, we also have the best sound quality of any Cambridge film society. Being a member in the society involves helping put together and project the films, as well as deciding which films to show. The members who help at each showing get to watch the film for free. If you'd like to get involved or have any questions, please contact the president Sofia Wallstrom (sw442).

MILTON SOCIETY

The Milton Society, holds a dinner each term to celebrate the life of a college alumnus who also happens to be one of the nation's greatest literary men. Speakers are selected by the President(s) to debate a motion at each dinner and well considered points from the floor are encouraged. A small number of places are reserved at each dinner for first years and those interested in attending are encouraged to apply when the dinner is advertised around college. For futher information please contact this year's President, Charlotte Trace, (ceat2).

DARWIN SOCIETY

Another society named after one of Christ’s most famous alumnus - the Darwin Society – is open to everyone at Christ’s with an interest in science, whether you study a science or not. We organise talks throughout the year on current scientific issues. There is also a dinner in Lent Term. If you are a fresher studying Natural Sciences you will hear something about what the Darwin Society do at the Subject Drinks.

President: Andrew Maddox (aim31)

LADY MARGARET SOCIETY

Founded by Lady Margaret Beaufort in 1505, Christ's is distinctive amongst the Cambridge colleges in being one of the few to have a female benefactor. With this in mind The Lady Margaret Society was established in 1997 to celebrate the valuable contribution female members have made in the past and continue to make going forward to all aspects of college life be it academic, creative, sporting or social. Our aim is to provide opportunities for to dine with eminent women, distinguished in their chosen fields for an evening of good food, good wine and even better company! In Easter Term 2008 there was a very successful Pudding Party and this year the committee have plans for even more events.

President: Charlotte Verrill (clv68)

SEELEY SOCIETY

The Seeley Society – named after yet another great alumnus – exists for the benefit of all Christ’s historians, although anyone with an interest in the subject is more than welcome. A number of interesting talks are organised every term, each delivered by top-quality speakers; for instance, Professors Quentin Skinner, Richard Drayton and John Morrill. The breadth of topics the society has listened to reflect the vibrant range of historical writing today: recent meetings have concerned smoking in early modern England, Oliver Cromwell and Calypso music! Each year also features opportunities for Christ’s own community to showcase its work, from undergraduate dissertations to the fellows’ latest books and radio series. In addition to formal talks, the more light-hearted ‘balloon debate’ last saw Alexander the Great, Constantine, de Gaulle and Mazzini fight for their survival! Meetings are very much social occasions, with wine and other refreshments always served. Lastly, the society’s programme is topped off with an annual dinner in Easter term, complete with great food and conversation.

Those studying History should receive a term-card in their pigeonholes.

Seeley Secretaries: John Budd (jrb91), Grace Lloyd (gl287), Nikhil Shah (ns426) & Flo Wolfe (fw264)

LAW SOCIETY

Welcome to CCLU and congratulations for getting into Christ’s College for Law. Consider CCLU as your second home from now on! The Committee and the older members are of the friendliest in College and will make sure that your ride is as smooth as possible. The main goals of the CCLU, besides uniting Christ’s lawyers (!), are to ensure you have good guidance concerning your future professional goals, preparing presentations from various law firms, as well as being an intermediary between the College members and these firms, and preparing a number of events (contrary to common belief lawyers tend to be fun and outgoing beings!). For the first time this year the Committee is also planning on creating a mooting workshop, especially useful to those of you considering a career as barristers, but of extreme help, in any case, in improving your critical thinking and problem solving skills! Future lawyers, the CCLU wishes you an amazing three years, recommends that you get the most out of them, and is looking forward in finally meeting you and having you amongst its ranks. Welcome to Christ’s!

President: Pan Koullouros (pk309)

CHAPEL

The College Chapel is open every day and can be used by anyone, regardless of religion, for private prayer or just as somewhere to find peace and quiet. Everyone is welcome to attend any of our services. Each week there are a number of regular services. On Sunday morning there is College eucharist, with breakfast afterwards. Evensong, sung by the College Choir, is held every Thursday and Sunday evening. Morning Prayer is said every morning except Saturday. In addition there are a number of special services throughout the year for important feast days; as well as an ecumenical service once a term. If you are interested in becoming more involved in the Chapel community, then there are a number of ways you can help. You can read at services, act as an usher or serve at Eucharist; email the chaplain (see below) if you are interested, or talk to us at a service.

For those of you who are musically inclined, there is the College Choir (auditions are held at the very start of term – lookout for details) and a relaxed worship band, which plays in morning services – all standards and instruments welcome (talk to one of us at the Freshers’ Service). The Chapel is also used throughout the year as a rehearsal space, and the college music society hold their weekly recitals there, as well as a number of concerts. We hope to see you at a service sometime soon. For more detailed information about services please see the Chapel term card, which will be in your pigeonhole soon. If you have any questions, please email: The Rev. Christopher Woods (Chaplain) – cmw66.

CHRISTIAN UNION

If you’re a Christian arriving at Christ’s, we’d love you to join in with the Christian Union. The CU is primarily about making Jesus Christ known to students in Christ’s, and to encourage each other in this we meet to pray and study the Bible together on Wednesday evenings in N4, First Court, and with the rest of the university-wide CU (CICCU) on Saturday evenings. If you're interested, do contact one of the reps (Scott, srf52 or Paul, ps450), or feel free to come along to any of our meetings. In freshers’ week there will be a couple of events in college introducing the Christian Union and its beliefs, almost certainly involving cake and games, to which all are welcome – look out for posters and flyers in College when you arrive.

If you have any questions at all about the CU or churches in Cambridge, drop one of us an email and we’ll do our best to help. Paul and Scott (ps450 & srf33)