OUCB is a non-auditioning band open to anyone from the Oxford area who’s interested in playing ceilidh music. You don't have to play a 'traditional' folk instrument, have any experience of playing ceilidh music, or be of a very high standard on your instrument to join.

We play from music, not from memory, so you don't have to know tunes off by heart, or learn them that way (but you can if you want!). Members of the band have access to a web page that contains all the music in pdf form, but folders of printed music are available to buy once a year, in Michaelmas term.

We also have a Facebook group chat where a lot of information on rehearsals and ceilidhs is discussed: if you want to be a member of the group chat please do ask an OUCB member to invite you, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Rehearsals

Feel free to drop into any rehearsal if you want have a go at playing with us and find out whether you’d like to be involved. You don't have to be able to commit to rehearsing every week to join. Also we usually head to the pub (and sometimes play some more tunes there) after our rehearsals.

We rehearse during term time on Tuesdays from 8-10pm. This term (Trinity 2023), we rehearse at: 

Fitzhugh Auditorium, Cohen Quad @ Exeter College (Turl Street, OX1 3DP)

Gigs

Ceilidh music is meant to be danced to, and we aim to play as many gigs as we can, with people volunteering to be part of the lineups on a gig-by-gig basis. We book callers to lead the dances at each gig; if you're interested in calling ceilidhs with us, please get in touch.

Updates

For updates on public ceilidhs we are holding, you can like our Facebook page or follow our Instagram feed.

For weekly updates about rehearsals, gigs, socials, etc., contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to let us know you'd like to join our mailing list. Members of OUCB also organise folk music sessions in pubs and busking, details of which are usually agreed on in our Facebook group.