Southend Boys' Choir — Southend Choirs

SOUTHEND BOYS’ CHOIR

Age 8 upwards

No membership or joining fees

No requirement to read music

Southend Boys' Choir was formed in 1970 and is one of the best-known boys’ choirs in the UK. Members come from a wide variety of schools in Southend and beyond.

Performances are varied and wide-ranging, including regular appearances in major London concert venues, in addition to performances in Europe, Canada, US, Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Notable highlights include performances in the BBC Proms concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, broadcasts and recordings, concerts in St Martin-in-the-Fields, St Bartholomew the Great, workshops and projects with British Youth Opera, Britten Pears Arts and a production of Britten’s opera Noye’s Fludde, featuring 400 children and the Britten Sinfonia.

The choir is in great demand for corporate events and functions, and can be heard singing carols at Claridge’s Hotel, London, every year.

Join Southend Boys’ Choir

Joining Form

Parent Name

First Name

Last Name

Parent Email

Parent Phone

Child's Name

First Name

Last Name

Address

Address 1

Address 2

City

State/Province

Zip/Postal Code

Country

Child's DOB

MM

DD

YYYY

Which Choir?

Vocal Range (if known)

School & School area

Musical experiences (e.g. singing in another choir/singing lessons/instrumental lessons)

Child's Health Details (e.g. asthma)

Emergency Contact

Permission for Photos Filming

Photos and filming of the choirs may be undertaken for publicity purposes if you do now wish your child to be included please indicate Yes or No. Please note that names will not be published.

Yes

No

Parent's Signature

Please state your full name

Privacy Notice Your privacy is important to us, and we are committed to maintaining high standards of data protection. We are collecting the information in this application form to manage your child's membership and activities within the choir. This information is not shared with other parties unless required for licence purposes, such as BBC or other concert promoters. On these occasions, parents will be notified. Please see our website footer for a copy of our privacy notice.

When and where does the choir rehearse?

The choir meets each Friday during term time at Westcliff High School for Boys, Kenilworth Gardens, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex SS0 0BP from 4:00-5:00pm for trebles and altos, 4.00 - 5.30pm for tenors and basses plus occasional weekends by arrangement.

Who joins the Southend Boys’ Choir?

Boys from schools across the borough and beyond are members of the choir and can join at any time between the ages of 8 and 18. There is no requirement to be able to read music or to have any former experience.

What does the choir wear?

Concert uniform is supplied by the choir (blue tie, blue band, choir badge) for a nominal fee. For concerts, parents are asked to provide the boys with a long-sleeved white shirt, dark grey/black trousers and black shoes with dark socks. Many members also buy choir hoodies for informal events.

What does the choir want from its members?

The choir is seeking boys from the age of 8 years upwards who have an enjoyment of music, an ability to sing in tune and a lively attitude, enthusiasm, commitment and discipline.

Parents are asked to support their sons and to give them every encouragement. Normally boys are accepted for a six-month trial period (on both sides).

The choir is only as good as its members. To maintain the high standard, it is essential that members attend rehearsals regularly and commit themselves to taking part in the choir’s concerts and performances. The choir is a team and all members must play their part.

What the choir offers its singers

The wonderful experience of performing in magical surroundings with a choir of a very high standard, with the opportunity to make new friends and to join a first-class team, plus the chance to develop skills as a singer and to learn a wide variety of choral music. Numerous SBC boys have gone on to become professional musicians.

What does it cost?

There is no membership or joining fee.

When you apply

You will be invited to join in with a rehearsal. There is no need to be able to read music.

MUSICAL DIRECTOR
Roger Humphrey

ASSISTANT MUSICAL DIRECTOR
Rosemary Pennington

PRESIDENT
Bob Chilcott

PATRON
Raymond Gubbay CBE