Sometimes, singing in the car or shower is not enough to satisfy your need for a musical outlet. If you don’t plan to audition for The Voice, The X Factor or Britain’s Got Talent, then joining a choir may offer the perfect solution. There are many benefits to gain from singing in a choir: making new friends who share a love of music; exercising your lungs and stomach muscles; clearing your head from the stresses of the day, and performing beautiful pieces which appeal to all kinds of musical tastes. The great news is that in London and beyond, there are lots of choirs you can join or watch, some of which do not require an audition. Choirs come in many forms from church to neighbourhood, and even some focused on specific musical genres.
Joining a choir Church Choirs
Almost every church has a choir, and choir directors often seek new members, so that on any given Sunday, there is good representation in all sections (sopranos, altos, tenors and basses). Many church choirs do not require an audition, making them a great way to dip your toe into the choir world. One such choir is at the American International Church in London. Led by Scott Stroman, who is also a Jazz Composer and Jazz Professor & Fellow at The Guildhall School of Music & Drama, Eclectic Voices sings in different languages and across many genres, including traditional, jazz, and gospel. It rehearses on Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings, from September to June, but also performs in concerts, and at the annual US Thanksgiving Day Service at St. Paul’s Cathedral.
Neighbourhood Choirs Joining a choir near where you live or
work is not only convenient, but also a great way to make new friends - a definite advantage for expats in the UK. A few, notable ones include:
n The aforementioned Eclectic Voices, which rehearses on Thursday evenings in Highbury, and “packs each year with up to eight, thrilling performances – many with world-class classical or jazz musicians”. Auditions are required.
n The City of London Choir performs a range of music with leading orchestras. Conducted by Hilary Davan Wetton, the choir rehearses on Monday evenings near Fleet Street and Blackfriars. Auditions required.
n City Academy Choirs has six choirs: two mixed-repertoire choirs (Singers and Collective), a pop and indie choir (Amplified), a musical theatre choir (Encore), a classical chamber choir (Chamber), and a ladies-only mixed- repertoire choir (Songbirds). All choirs require an audition, and a membership subscription fee, with weekly rehearsals around London, and performances throughout the year.
18 FOCUS The Magazine November/December 2017
n The Croydon Bach Choir is one of the leading choral societies in the South East, with very diverse membership. Led by Tim Horton and performing in Croydon, the choir sings Bach, but also a diverse range of choral repertoire. Rehearsals are on Wednesday evenings. Auditions and subscription fees are required.
n Surrey residents might want to check out The Ripieno Choir, based in the Esher area. Auditions are required for this relatively small chamber choir, and rehearsals are on Sunday evenings, led by David Hansell.
n If you live south of the Thames, The Festival Chorusmight be perfect for you. It is a 100-member choral society, which rehearses on Monday evenings, and performs in the Clapham/Wandsworth areas. No auditions are required. There are three big performances each year, led by conductor Andrea Brown. One of the chorus members says that she was invited to join by a friend, and that her “favourite part about being a member is
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