Are we ever too old to sing ambitious and advanced choral repertoire?
We believe that it is possible to sing long into old age and make a beautiful sound, as long as you receive the right means to strengthen your vocal technique and sustain your voice.
Many amateur singers have sung all their lives at a high, semi-professional level and will find it very hard to leave their singing passion behind as they have to leave the choir that has been their second home for so many years.
We want to give these singers a new home: where you are safe from ever being asked again to leave due to an ageing voice; where you receive vocal coaching tailored to the needs of older voices; where you can still sing the demanding repertoire you enjoy, and of course meet your singing friends and have lots of fun.
We meet once a week on (tbc day) afternoon 4-6pm in (probably Knightsbridge tbc)
There will be a longer and more specific warm-up to strengthen and nurture our voices and make sure we can sing well for longer.
If you are experiencing age-related vocal problems or are worried these problems might arise, this is the chorus for you.
The repertoire will be old favourites but also works you might always have wanted to discover.
Every rehearsal will also have a little excursion into the wider historical perspective of the piece.
The first rehearsal will be on (tbc) at (tbc)
We will work for 7 weeks on Brahms Nänie, Schicksalslied and Gesang der Parzen with a small informal concert at the end.
This choir will be subscription-based.
The price for a project will be £40 and £50 if you need a copy of the music from us
Give it a go!
Let an ageing voice not stop you from singing!
Frequently Asked questions
Do I have to audition?
If you are or were a member of one of the auditioned Symphony Choruses in London (like LSC, LPC, BBCSC, Bach Choir etc) you don’t need to audition. If not, we would like to do a quick no nonsence audition to check your voice. You are also welcome to do a voluntary audition to get a brief feedback on the state of your voice.
Can I bring a friend?
Absolutely! Singing is best with people you like and love. Why not convince your friends that they are never too old to sing either?
Do I have to come to every rehearsal?
We all have a life. Nobody would expect you to give your choir priority over everything else. However, as an experienced choral singer you know that the result will only be good for all of us, if we put the work in. We aim at excellence, nothing less would do our own expectations justice.
Who we are
Barbara höfling
Barbara is the Associate Chorus Director of the London Symphony Chorus and Musical Director of the German Choir of London.
Barbara is a trained singer who sang with some of the best choirs in Europe, namely the BBC Singers, RIAS Chamber Choir, Monteverdi Choir, Berlin Radio Choir and many more.
She has not only a degree in singing and conducting but also in Voice Physiology and Teaching. Her Masters was on brain processes when singers pitch.
Benjamin Frost
Ben studied music at Exeter University, graduating with Distinction in performance, was Organ
Scholar at Exeter Cathedral and became an associate of the Royal College of Organists. After
University he studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama where his tutors included
Gordon Back and Graham Johnson, and trained as a repetiteur at the National Opera Studio.
He has worked with the BBC, Lesley Garrett, Nelly Miricioiu, Marianne Cornetti and Sally Matthews, English National Opera and The Opera Group.
He has also accompanied the London Philharmonic Chorus, the BBC
Singers, the BBC Symphony Chorus and the Monteverdi Choir.