Join London City Singers

Inclusivity

Membership is open to singers of all marginalised genders who are comfortable singing somewhere in the SSAA range* which may include cis women, trans people of all gender identities, non-binary people, and gender fluid people. We seek to provide a choral experience that is safe and inclusive of our diverse identities.

*The lowest singers in our group are generally expected to sing as low as an Eb3, and highest singers are expected to sing as high as a G5.
 

What to expect

You'll be invited to a rehearsal for a free taster. If you like us, you'll continue coming along on a weekly basis. Until you pass the audition, a fee of £5 per week is required from your second visit, in cash or transferred to our account.

The London City Singers audition process is designed to be educational for the auditionee. It is important to us that everyone who goes through the process gets the help and support they need in becoming a London City Singer and we want it to be a valuable educational exercies whether or not the outcome is successful.

For your audition, we'll provide the sheet music and learning tracks (sound recording) to help you learn and master your part. We also run the song during rehearsals and offer practice auditions. Words and notes must be off music to pass the audition. You will sing your part in quartet with members of the music team (off music) and you will receive 1:1 feedback. You then repeat this the next week showing improvement on the feedback given including correct singing of the audition piece.

London City Singers is a barbershop chorus and we have the following voice sections:
LEAD: typically sings the tune
BASS: provides the bass line of the song
TENOR: harmonises above the tune
BARITONE: harmonises below and above the tune

If you want to see a sample of what each part sings, see Which part am I?
 

Rehearsals

We rehearse on Tuesdays from 6:30pm-9pm at St Saviour's, Pimlico. We're a committed group of singers and regular attendance is very important, including arriving in time for important warm-up and vocal technique exercises.

Members are expected to maintain at least a 75% attendance rate (ideally 100%), which includes being present for the warm-up. Obviously, there will be exceptions, and as much notice in advance is appreciated.
 

Performances and convention

London City Singers is a bookable chorus and have several live performances throughout the year, as well as holding our own concerts to raise money for chorus costs or for charity. Attendance at these is usually by individual's availability, but members are strongly encouraged to attend wherever possible.

Anually we participate in a barbershop convention. It's an annual gathering of everyone who practices the art form of barbershop singing. There's a competition between different choruses across the country included in the convention and we typically participate in it.

In order to prepare for convention, we go on a weekend (overnight) retreat and hire a coach to give us more guidance on improving our vocals and performance. The chorus learns a great deal during retreat, so all members are expected to attend.

Member donations and other fees

On passing the audition, the monthly contribution is £40 for those 26 years and older, and £35 for 25 and under, and students.

There will be other costs during your membership including travel and accommodations for retreats, conventions and other activities – these will be notified well in advance and are often subsidised where possible. We never turn someone away for monetary reasons - members can always speak to our finance lead regarding donation amounts.