How to Join
We’d love to welcome you to one of our rehearsals for a free taster session. We’re proud to be such a friendly and supportive choir, and encourage all voices to come and get a sense of us.
The choir rehearses on Tuesday evenings during term times, from 7:30 – 9:30pm, in the Kingswood Halls, Kingswood Place, SE13 5BU.
Sessions start with a few physical relaxation exercises, then a vocal warm up, then rehearsal of the term’s repertoire. There is a 20 minute break for tea/coffee and socialising.
We hold Open Rehearsals at the start of each term, dates of which are listed in our upcoming events and also on our social media channels. No need to prepare anything, simply email secretary@blackheathchoir.org.uk to register your interest, then come and sing!
If you have missed the open rehearsals for this term, it is still worth getting in touch. Depending on how far through the term we are, you may still be able to join rehearsals and/or the concert.
Members are expected to be able to read music, but need not be expert sight-singers.
There are no formal auditions, but once you have decided to join us the Music Director gives informal vocal assessments in small groups and is always willing to offer advice on matters of vocal technique and musicianship.
Still on the fence? Why not hear from some of our members?
Meet the Members
Chloe – Soprano: I joined the choir in 2022 and have loved being part of the community and being able to sing every week. For me being a teacher I am limited on time but enjoy being able to have two hours of time to focus on learning interesting pieces and being able to escape. Although I have been in choirs before, it has been a while since I have been able to sing as part of a group. Being part of a group is fantastic and a great experience that I would highly recommend to others thinking about joining.
Tony – Bass: I joined the choir many years ago, not long after it was founded at the Church of the Ascension, Blackheath. So long ago that I had a full head of hair… though I can’t blame the choir for my transformation! I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time with the choir, singing works from Bach to Bernstein, Mozart to Moeron, Handel to Hurd… other initial letters are available!
Singing and making music together with lots of other friendly and enthusiastic people is such a wonderful thing to do. I heartily recommend it.
Richard – Tenor: I have been singing with Blackheath Choir for over 10 years. Having sung with various choirs all over London I can safely say that Blackheath is my favourite. There is a real sense of togetherness and it is a very friendly environment to be in to both socialise and sing. Being a younger member of the choir my music skills have improved greatly over the past 10 years singing alongside stronger and more experienced choir members.
Jane – Alto: I have been singing with Blackheath Choir for ten years now and simply love it! I like the balance of being stretched, the variety of music we cover and the support we get from our Music Director Pat in supporting us to sing well. The choir really helped my well-being in managing a very busy work life: singing with others has been a great way to relax and do something completely different. It’s very friendly and welcoming which was important to me on joining when I did not feel like the strongest singer.
I am delighted to have become Chair of the Choir and have learnt how many volunteers contribute so much to making it all work. Living near the Church of the Ascension where the choir started over fifty years ago makes me proud that we continue to be creative in supporting music locally.
Subscription Rates 2023-24
| Annual | Termly | |
| Full Rate | £180 | £77 |
| Concession (registered unemployed, receiving pension credit or full time student rate) | £115 | £50 |
Bursaries: the choir offers up to four bursaries per year (one in each voice part) to singers aged under 25. The recipients receive free membership and their own copies of the year’s music.
If you are experiencing financial hardship and would be unable to afford a subscription, please get in touch to discuss your situation. Although subscriptions are required to keep the choir running, we try not to exclude anyone from the joys of singing.
If you’d like to join us, or have any queries about membership, contact us on secretary@blackheathchoir.org.uk.
Term Dates 2023-2024
The first two rehearsals in every term are Open Rehearsals where we welcome all new voices and enquiries. See upcoming events here or follow our social media channels for more details.
Autumn 2023:
Tuesdays 12th September – 5th December
Additional rehearsal Friday 8th December
Concert on Sunday 10th December
The term may be extended to further dates in December to rehearse for carol singing at Canary Wharf
Spring 2024:
Tuesdays 9th January – 12th March
Additional rehearsal dates to be confirmed in conjunction with Blackheath Halls
Concert on Sunday 17th March
Summer 2024:
Tuesdays 16th April – 2nd July
Additional rehearsal Friday 5th July
Concert on Sunday 7th July