Societies
Many members of the Green Templeton College community play instruments, sing, dance and enjoy extracurricular activities. As well as being ideal for relaxation from the pressures of academic study and research, social activities add a valuable dimension to the academic, cultural and social life of our community.
Green Templeton College Big Band
The Green Templeton College Big Band was set up in the academic year 2018-2019 after an informal survey of students suggested there was enthusiasm for such an initiative. In particular, the University has many students who have achieved a high standard of musical playing ability and were looking for informal opportunities to keep up the fun of rehearsing and performing. The band meet three or occasionally four times a term, on Sunday afternoon, rehearsing in the Radcliffe Observatory Common Room at Green Templeton. The band is a popular choice among students and staff for college events, with bookings including the annual garden party, college ball and graduation days.
The COVID-19 epidemic meant that the band had to suspend rehearsals and performing from March 2020. Fortunately rehearsals resumed in June 2021 and we are anticipating regular rehearsals on three or four Sundays a term from now on.
Current membership of the band comprises: piano, bass, drums, guitar, six alto saxs, six tenor saxs, baritone sax, six trumpets, two trombones, with a male and female vocals. We have an established pianist, drummer, bass player, guitarist, male and female vocal and are not currently looking to replace these musicians. However, we would like to attract one or two more players in each category of alto, tenor saxophones, baritone saxophone, trumpets and especially trombones. The aim is to have a full band for every rehearsal and performance so we are happy to have extra musicians above a classical line up. New players will always be made to feel welcome. We do not audition, but you will feel more comfortable if you are a reasonable sight reader. Music will also be available before rehearsals to practice.
Finally, the band welcomes musicians from other Oxford Colleges to give an opportunity for different college students to meet one another.
If you are interested in joining the band, please email richard.canter@nds.ox.ac.uk and jordan.gorenberg@gtc.ox.ac.uk.
The Oxford African Choir
This choir was initiated in November 2017 to share African inspirational and gospel music from across the continent with the wider Oxford community. Based at college, the choir is closely associated with The Oxford Africa Society. Open to all, both Africans and friends of Africa, it meets at Green Templeton weekly during term time and has performed at several college and University events including Green Templeton’s 10th anniversary garden party. For more information, please email acheampong.atta-boateng@plants.ox.ac.uk.
GTC Performs!
A cabaret-style evening where any member of the GTC community is welcome to perform in an informal setting. Any style of music, recitation, spoken word or performance is welcome – space permitting. The night is hosted in our Common Room once per term. If you are interested in performing please contact Becca via email: bursar.pa@gtc.ox.ac.uk.
Oxford Global Health and Care Systems Group
The Global Health and Care Systems Student Society is based at Green Templeton and facilitates interesting discussions around global health. Previous topics include talks about diffusion of innovation, healthcare in rural environments, health systems research, training of medical professionals and a global health book club! Sign up to become a member of the Global Health and Care Systems Student Society
Book Club
The Green Templeton College Book Club meets twice a term to discuss modern novels that are available in paperback. Meetings are open to all members of the college and their guests. Books for discussion are agreed by members of the club. Any member may propose a book to be read, on the basis that either they, or someone they know, are willing to introduce it. There are no formal membership arrangements. If you are interested, please just come along. You will find a very warm welcome, sherry or orange juice and a lively discussion. Several members dine in college after meetings.
Meetings are held on Thursdays at 18.00 in the Fellows’ Room off the Common Room in the Radcliffe Observatory. Details of dates and books are listed in the college events section of this website and the weekly email newsletter. If you email paul.brankin@ox-exec.com, you will be sent regular details and reminders of all meetings.
Green Templeton Wine Society
This well-established Green Templeton College wine appreciation society has no membership list as such, so is open to all members of the college and their guests. Wine Society events are announced via the college bulletin, bookable at the Porters’ Lodge and payable on the night (students £10, seniors £20). Gerald Sacks organises them and arranges speakers to come give a presentation of wines from a specific wine-producing area. The tastings are not commercial and although there is often the opportunity to buy wines, there is no expectation on anyone to purchase. Members of college who have a special interest in wine and are willing to present a tasting are very welcome and should contact Gerald at gerald.sacks@gtc.ox.ac.uk or gerald.sacks@gmail.com.
Medical Anthropology Film and Discussion Group
The Green Templeton Medical Anthropology Film & Discussion Group explores the extent to which film can complement, enrich and further the study of medical anthropology themes, topics and methods. After watching selected clips, we discuss a film’s content and approach, and interrogate its capacity to support the analysis of issues relating to illness, crisis, health and wellbeing. A background in medical anthropology is not required and all students are very welcome to join the discussion group. Please email paola.esposito@anthro.ox.ac.uk for further information.
The Richard Doll Society
The Richard Doll Society is central to the community of medical students at Green Templeton College. While GTC’s medical students receive automatic membership, the society also welcomes all medically qualified or medically interested students and fellows of the college.
Named after the first Warden of Green College, who discovered the link between smoking and lung cancer, the society’s primary purpose is building a strong community among college medics while offering further enrichment opportunities through workshops, teaching opportunities and outreach work. The dynamic society is always keen to take onboard suggestions from its members and encourages all medics to get in touch with the committee!
Green Templeton College Allotment Club
Founded by Ella Dunlop (Clinical Medicine), the Allotment Club aims to bring people together as lockdown restrictions begin to ease while also promoting sustainability. The club meet to cultivate an allotment plot in Old Marston to grow vegetables, encourage wildlife and pollinators, and provide exercise and socially-distanced communal activity. For more information, please contact allotment@gtc.ox.ac.uk. To join the Allotment Club mailing list, please email gtc-allotment@maillist.ox.ac.uk. You will then be sent a subscription request.
Green Templeton Black Students’ Society
The Black Students Society is an initiative that was started in the 2020/2021 academic year. Inspired by the experiences of Black students at GTC, the Society is intended to be both a recognised community and a forum with membership is open to GTC students who identify as Black. It also welcomes Black students from other graduate colleges who wish to support diversity efforts at GTC, and the promotion and wellbeing of Black students at Oxford. To support, join or continue the dialogue with the society, please get in touch with gloria.ngaiza@gtc.ox.ac.uk or marwa.elbasheer@gtc.ox.ac.uk
