London Classical Choir FAQs

Joining the choir, attending rehearsals
& general questions

Joining the choir

Do I need to audition and what level of experience do I need?
No, there is no audition. Although most of our members are experienced choral singers we also welcome people with good voices who are new to choral singing but are keen to learn.

Do I need to read music?
It helps, but it is not a formal requirement. We use written music, but you will be shown how to follow it when you first attend, and supported in developing your music reading during rehearsals. There is also a free How to Read Music download here for your reference.

How will I benefit from singing with the choir?
We perform a wide-ranging and enjoyable mix of music to a high level, and have a diverse and welcoming membership. We have taken part in many exciting performances over the years, and raise money to help homeless people every year.

Our musical director will help you develop your vocal technique, musicianship, and music-reading skills, and there are solo opportunities. Singing is widely recognised as being beneficial for both mental and physical health.

When can I come for a trial rehearsal, and do I need to get in touch beforehand?
You are welcome to come along for a trial rehearsal at any point during the term. We do recommend joining earlier where possible, as this gives you more time to learn the songs for the end-of-term concert.

If you join later in the term, you can use our online practice tracks to help you catch up.

Please contact us before attending the first time here. You will be emailed PDFs of the music, practice tracks and full details about the choir.

Are there solo opportunities?
Yes, there are solo opportunities every term, such as roles in operas like Dido and Aeneas or Carmen, as well as shorter solos in other concerts. If you are a budding soloist you will have plenty of opportunities.

Attending rehearsals

On which day and time does the choir meet?
Two Fridays per month from 7.30-9.30pm. For the dates each term see What’s On.

Where does the choir meet?
We meet in the Octagon Hall at St Saviour’s Church, London NW3 4SQ.

Enter via the gate on Eton Road, bear right down the path, and then go through the second door on the right. A map is available here.

Is there public transport or parking nearby?
Yes, we are very convenient for public transport:

🚇 Chalk Farm (Northern Line, Edgware Branch) – three minutes
Kentish Town West (Overground) – ten minutes
Swiss Cottage (Jubilee Line) – fifteen minutes

🚌 Bus numbers 1, C11, 31 and 274 stop nearby

🚗 There is parking in the surrounding streets, but it can get busy, so it’s best to allow a few extra minutes to find a space.

How much does it cost and how can I pay?
You can either pay on a drop-in basis each time you attend, or pay for the term, which is the more economical option. We are one of the few choirs in the area that offer flexible drop-in payments.

Drop-in: £12 per session, or £10 for students and those on a low wage. Payment can be made at the door by cash or card.

⭐Pay for the term (save £4 per rehearsal): £8 per remaining week of term, or £6 for students and those on a low wage. Payment is made at the door, cash or card (plus a £1 fee). The latest you can switch to paying termly is three rehearsals before the end of term.

What should I bring?
Please bring either printed copies of the PDFs emailed to you, or a device to view them on. It is also helpful to bring some water and a pencil for marking your music and making notes.

Which voice part will I sing?
On your first visit, you will join with another singer to sing a few simple scales up and down so we can determine whether you are best suited to soprano, alto, tenor or bass. If you have sung before this will usually be the same voice part you are familiar with.

This is not a test of your singing ability, but simply a way to identify whether you are more comfortable singing higher or lower notes.

How many rehearsals do I need to attend to sing in the concert?
You should attend at least four of the seven rehearsals during the term to take part in the concert. In addition, attendance at the final Friday rehearsal before the performance and the rehearsal on the day of the concert is compulsory.

What if I have to miss a rehearsal?
Please contact us in advance if you are unable to attend, as we do miss people who are absent. If you miss a rehearsal please use the practice tracks to help you stay up to date with the music. Regular attendance will help you learn the music more easily.

General questions

What music does the choir perform?
We perform major classical works with orchestra, alongside an enjoyable mix of shorter pieces from all periods. You can browse our repertoire here, and find audio and video recordings on the Hear Us page, and more videos here.

What kinds of performances do you have?
In the autumn term we perform a major choral work (such as Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, Mozart’s Requiem, or Jenkins’ The Armed Man) alongside the London Classical Orchestra, raising money for homeless charities, and these performances are live-streamed internationally.

In the spring and summer terms we present themed concerts such as From Darkness to Light, Songs of the Sea, Music from the Americas and Sing Africa, or staged works such as Carmen or West Side Story. For these concerts, we join with the Primrose Hill Choirs, performing both our own repertoire and joint works to large audiences.

Our home venue is St Mary’s Church, Primrose Hill, but we have also performed at the Victoria & Albert Museum, in Trafalgar Square, and twice at Wembley Stadium. In 2025, we also produced a video for Ryder Cup Europe that was viewed hundreds of thousands of times on their social media.

What is the choir community like?
We have around twenty-five singers attending regularly, but for our Concert for the Homeless we have had up to eighty performers on stage. Our members come from a wide range of ages, cultural backgrounds and nationalities.

How do I learn the songs?
The musical director will teach the music during rehearsals. In addition, you will be sent practice tracks so you can listen and practise at home. These are particularly helpful in the autumn term, when we rehearse a major choral work.

Looking for some extra help with your singing, or piano lessons? See here.

Click here for more on the choir and a free How to Read Music download, and here for audios and videos.