Join us

Some of our LCS members singing
 

Thinking about joining?

The best way to see if we’re a good fit is to come along to one of our Taster Evenings which are advertised on our website and social media. If you can’t make it to one of these, you may still be welcome to come along to a regular rehearsal (as long as we are recruiting for your voice part*). 

Have a read through below about what becoming a member involves and if you’re interested in joining, click here to drop us an email on join@londoncitysingers.co.uk .

*To ensure a balanced distribution of voices, we may not always be recruiting for every part. However, if your voice is best suited to a part that is currently fully subscribed, we can add you to our waiting list.

What we sing

We generally sing in 4-part a cappella harmony. The four voice parts are:

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?

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

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

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. 

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 exercise 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.

Rehearsals

We rehearse on Tuesdays from 6:30pm-9pm at Magdalan Hall, Purbrook Street, London, SE1 3DQ.
Nearest stations: London Bridge (15 min walk) & Bermondsey (15 min walk).
Nearest bus routes: C10, 42,78,188.
We are a committed group of singers and regular attendance is very important, including arriving in time for important warm-up and vocal technique exercises.

Rehearsals are carefully constructed to include physical and vocal warm-ups, focused work on new songs, polishing of existing repertoire and preparation for upcoming performances in a relaxed yet focused environment. 

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 competitions

London City Singers is a bookable chorus. We 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.

As members of the Ladies Association of British Barbershop Singers (LABBS) we participate in their annual convention where barbershop choruses and quartets compete from all over the UK. We also take part in other barbershop and choir competitions both in the UK and abroad from time to time.

To prepare for competition, we have an annual retreat weekend (overnight) and hire an external 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.