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Join the London Philharmonic Choir

All you need to know:
Rehearsals
Full members and extras
Repertoire and concert venues
Tours
Music
Concert dress code
Arrange a discovery rehearsal
Arrange an audition

Rehearsals
The Choir usually rehearses on two nights a week (generally Monday and Wednesday) at a central-London venue. Rehearsals last from 6.30-8.45pm. Additional rehearsals with the concert conductor and orchestra will be called in the period immediately preceding an engagement. If the Choir's schedule of performances is very busy, additional rehearsals on other nights or at weekends may be required. The Choir has guidelines about attendance that will be explained when you join or you may want to find out more now: send an email to membership@lpc.org.uk or telephone 020 7193 1378.

Full members and extras
Most new recruits join as full members, however if you find that the required commitment is too great, it is possible to join as an 'extra' or to move to being an extra after some time in the Choir. Extras are a pool of auditioned singers that the Choir can call on to help increase numbers for works that need a particularly large choir. Being an extra will mean being invited to take part in fewer concerts and you are unlikely to be selected for tours.

There is no annual subscription for members. On joining the Choir we ask for a one-off payment of £25 for full members and £10 for extras, which covers the cost of a music folder for concerts (for full members) and administration.

Repertoire and concert venues
Each season the Choir has a variety of exhilarating and varied projects. There are concerts of the core classical choral repertoire. These are generally held in central-London venues such as the Royal Albert Hall, the South Bank Centre and St Paul's Cathedral. Occasionally they may take place out of London and the Choir has performed at other major UK venues including the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester, Symphony Hall in Birmingham and, most recently, Salisbury Cathedral.

The LPC also performs popular classics for all to enjoy as well as organising concerts in more intimate spaces that offer the chance to sing unusual or challenging music. These may take place in churches, historic buildings or smaller concert halls, generally in central London.

Tours
For over 60 years the LPC has been recognised as one of the UK's foremost choirs, but it is also known across the world. The Choir's frequent tours to cities in Europe as well as Asia and Australia continue to promote its reputation for music-making at the highest standard.

In most years the Choir undertakes one or two tours. Selection for places on these tours is usually governed by attendance and commitment.

Music
Apart from a few standard works, the Choir provides members with music for concerts. These are generally borrowed by the Choir from a music-hire library and need to be returned at the end of a project. More information will be explained when you attend a discovery rehearsal.

Concert dress code
Men need to have a black dinner jacket for concerts, worn with black trousers and shoes, white shirt and black bow tie (see performance photographs on this website). Women need to have a long-sleeved black dress or a similar top worn with long black skirt or smart black trousers suitable as evening wear, with black shoes and handbag. Occasional variations in the dress code for a particular concert will be announced at the rehearsals.

Arrange a discovery rehearsal
If you are interested in joining the Choir, but are not sure if it is right for you, come along for a discovery rehearsal. You can take part in a full rehearsal, meet the members, and get an idea of the musical standard expected. It's a great chance to talk to other people to find out about what it's really like to sing in the Choir. There's no commitment to join – if you have enjoyed your evening you can arrange an audition for another night. Arrange a discovery rehearsal now: send an email to membership@lpc.org.uk or telephone 020 7193 1378.

Arrange an audition
Audition times can be arranged when you attend your discovery rehearsal. You don't need to bring any music with you. The audition includes some vocal exercises and some sight-reading. Auditions are carried out by Neville Creed our Artistic Director.

Although most new members enjoy the chance to attend a discovery rehearsal before deciding to arrange an audition, some singers – perhaps those who have sung with the Choir as an extra and want to move to full membership – can arrange an audition without attending a discovery rehearsal. If you feel this is right for you enquire about arranging an audition now: send an email to membership@lpc.org.uk or telephone 020 7193 1378.

Contact

If you are interested, would like more information, or details about auditions, please contact our membership team at membership@lpc.org.uk or on +44 (0)20 7193 1378.