Joining the Chorus

The BBC Symphony Chorus would love to hear from passionate and committed singers with the ability to sight read.

Auditions for new members are held throughout the year at the BBC’s Maida Vale Studios near Paddington, home to the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Chorus and Singers. We would also love to welcome to a rehearsal anyone considering joining the Chorus to meet us before they audition.

Auditions last approximately 10-15 minutes and are heard by our Chorus Director Neil Ferris and either our Vocal Coach or Deputy Director. For your audition, we ask you to prepare a piece of classical music written for solo voice with piano accompaniment. Because of the repertoire we generally sing we would prefer singers not to prepare jazz, pop songs, hymns/carols, musical theatre or other non-classical pieces. Choose a song that you enjoy and feel confident singing and that lies naturally in your range. We want to hear what your voice can do and how it will fit within the Chorus as a whole. Please be in touch if you would like to discuss your song choice or if you would like to sing something non-classical. With a busy schedule we learn repertoire quickly so we test your sight reading ability at the audition and also undertake some vocal exercises with you to check your range so we can place you in the section that is best for you. We will provide an accompanist for the audition.

To apply for an audition with the BBC Symphony Chorus, to enquire about attending a rehearsal or to ask any other questions, please contact the Chorus Manager Brodie Smith.

The Chorus has a busy schedule, regularly joining the BBC Symphony Orchestra at the Barbican Hall in London and at the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall (often including the iconic First and Last Nights). Regularly broadcast on BBC Radio 3, the Chorus may also have its own Studio Concerts, performances with other orchestras across the UK, and commercial recording opportunities.

The Chorus performs diverse and challenging repertoire and is dedicated to performing new music, including specially-written commissions, first performances, and a cappella works alongside well-known large choral works.

We rehearse twice a week at BBC Maida Vale Studios from 18.40—21.10. Our regular rehearsal night is Friday evening with the other rehearsal night either on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. We issue schedules at least 6 months in advance so you can plan your diaries! In the week of a performance there will be additional rehearsals with the conductor and the orchestra.

With regular opportunities to perform at the Barbican and at the BBC Proms, plus additional broadcasts on Radio 3, the commitment from members is demanding and hugely rewarding. We don’t expect members to sing in every project but we ask that they sing in a minimum of 60% of the season’s engagements. Projects vary in length of rehearsal period and pattern (e.g. some projects are short with rehearsals close together; other projects may have more rehearsals spaced out over a longer period of time to fit in around other season commitments and to allow time to prepare). We hope members will attend all rehearsals for a project.

We understand that people are busy and if full membership is not possible, you can audition for our Extras list. This way we will be in touch with you with opportunities to take part in specific projects as and when they arise.

Our singers have a range of singing experiences and it is not essential to have had singing lessons to join the Chorus. We do however encourage singers to have them as they can be useful. We also invest in our members’ vocal development through working regularly with a Vocal Coach, as well as working with language coaches and other professionals with expertise in Feldenkrais and Alexander Technique. Our Vocal Coach attends rehearsals and we also allocate our members 1:1 time with them during rehearsals.

There is no membership fee, and music and folders are provided free of charge. Chorus members provide their own concert dress and are responsible for the cost of their travel to rehearsals and concerts in London.