Echotones Membership and Governance Policy

Echotones operates as an independent vocal ensemble under the governance of the National Society for Education, Mentoring, and Media (NSEMM), a registered student-led education and music charity based in England and Wales. Echotones is a trading name of NSEMM and adheres to its charitable aims.

While Echotones maintains a collaborative relationship with the University of Nottingham A Cappella Society (UoN A Cappella Society), it is not a society recognised by the Students’ Union (SU) and operates independently. Echotones does not receive any funding or administrative support from the SU or the university.

Membership Requirements

Membership in Echotones is governed by the following criteria:

  • Full-time students enrolled at the University of Nottingham, or associate members of the National Society for Education, Mentoring and Media.
  • All Echotones members must also hold active membership in the UoN A Cappella Society. Payment for Echotones membership via the A Cappella Society automatically enrolls individuals as full members of NSEMM.
  • As permitted by Varsity Vocals regulations, Echotones may include up to three non-student members who are full-time contributors to group activities. At current, we have one. Such memberships are sanctioned by NSEMM and comply with all relevant guidelines under the NSEMMs Constitution.

Participation in Competitions

  • The ensemble is composed primarily of full-time, permanent student members. Non-student participants (if applicable) are full-time contributors and not brought in solely for competition purposes.
  • Echotones performs as a vocal ensemble rather than a choral group, consistent with ICCA requirements.
  • Echotones limits its membership to a maximum of 16 individuals, ensuring compliance with ICCA stage and sound setup specifications.

Clarification on Echotones’ status

  • Echotones is not a society recognised by the Students’ Union and therefore does not fall under SU governance. As an independent entity:
    • Echotones members are not automatically members of the SU or the UoN A Cappella Society, unless they have also purchased UoN A Cappella Society membership.
    • Echotones’ activities, operations, and funding are entirely separate from those of the SU.


Echotones members who hold membership in the UoN A Cappella Society benefit from certain SU-related privileges.

  • Room booking support from UoNSU are made available to groups or members associated with SU-recognised societies, such as the A Cappella Society.
  • Echotones members who have purchased UoN A Cappella Society membership are considered full members of the society and, by extension, eligible for these privileges.


Echotones operates independently, with no direct reliance on SU funding or governance. However, its association with the UoN A Cappella Society creates a formal bridge for accessing limited SU resources, such as room bookings, on behalf of its members.

Insurance and Liability

Echotones’ activities are insured under NSEMM’s comprehensive policy, covering rehearsals, performances, and other sanctioned events.

Compliance with NSEMM and University Policies

  • Echotones ensures compliance with all NSEMM governance policies, university regulations, and applicable laws. Membership and participation are subject to the following:
    • Active engagement in Echotones’ activities and adherence to the Student Groups code of conduct of the University of Nottingham Students Union.
    • Timely payment of membership fees.

Amendments and Policy Updates

This Membership and Governance Policy may be amended periodically to reflect changes in NSEMM governance, university regulations, or competition requirements. Updates will be communicated to members via email and posted on our website.


For questions regarding this policy, please contact us at leadership@nsemm.org.uk.