SOUTHEND GIRLS’ CHOIR
Age 10 upwards
No membership or joining fees
No requirement to read music
Southend Girls' Choir was formed in 1988 and consists of singers, aged 10 to 21, from a wide variety of schools in Southend and beyond.
The choir regularly performs in London’s major concert venues, including St Martin-in-the-Fields, Cadogan Hall, St James Piccadilly, Royal Festival Hall and Royal Albert Hall, at prestigious London hotels including Claridge’s, and at Hampton Court Palace. It has performed on national TV and radio stations, in addition to making recordings.
The choir has performed at the BBC Proms on several occasions. Most recently, together with the Southend Boys’ Choir, they took part in a performance of Mahler's Symphony No. 8 at the Royal Albert Hall, a performance which was broadcast live on BBC Radio 3.
The choir makes regular concert tours and has travelled to Europe, the US, Canada, Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong. In recent years, they have performed in the Sydney Opera House, Queensland Performing Arts Centre and cathedrals in Florence, Paris, Belgium, Barcelona, Milan, Monaco and Nice.
The Southend Girls’ Choir previously held the world record, as verified by the Guinness Book of Records, for performing a concert at the highest altitude on an aeroplane. The choir gave a 45-minute recital at a height of 36,000 feet, thus becoming the world record holders for such an event.
Join Southend Girls’ Choir
When and where does the choir rehearse?
The choir meets each Wednesday during term time at Southend High School for Girls, Southchurch Boulevard, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS2 4UZ from 4:30 - 5:45pm.
Who joins the Southend Girls’ Choir?
Girls from schools across the borough and beyond are members of the choir. They join together to share their enthusiasm for singing and music. There is no requirement to be able to read music or to have any former experience.
What does the choir wear?
The choir has a formal concert uniform, which consists of plain black trousers and a cream, dark blue and green blouse. These belong to the choir and girls are issued with a uniform on joining, on receipt of a part-returnable deposit. Many members also buy choir hoodies for informal events.
What does the choir want from its members?
We are not asking for trained singers, although if you are one we would be delighted to see you! The choir is seeking girls from the age of 10 years upwards who can offer a good sense of discipline, a love of singing and music and a strong sense of commitment.
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 your skills as a singer and to learn a wide variety of choral music.
When you apply
You will be contacted and asked to attend a rehearsal. There is no formal audition, but girls will be given some very simple pitching tests to determine the range of their voice.
MUSICAL DIRECTOR
Roger Humphrey
ASSISTANT MUSICAL DIRECTOR
Rosemary Pennington
PRESIDENT
Jonathan Willcocks
PATRON
Raymond Gubbay CBE