Saved events

Barbican Choir

With Abdul Shyllon and Rachel Huggins

—
A diverse choir group smiling and clapping

Share the joy of singing with others and make friends at our choir that comes together weekly on Thursdays, led by Rachel Huggins and Abdul Shyllon.

Are you a performer looking to join a choir and sing in a vibrant and supportive environment? Sign up to the summer term of our Barbican Choir and sing a range of musical styles, including fresh reworkings of pop, soul, reggae, house and classical music.

Come along to an open session to take part in the informal selection process which will form the performing choir. For more information about the sessions and audition process, see the Timetable section below. 

Open Sessions: Thu 5 Jun, Thu 12 Jun and Thu 19 Jun

Choir sessions: Thu 26 Jun – Thu 7 Aug

Choir sharing: Thu 14 Aug

The Barbican Choir is a new initiative that's led by Rachel Huggins, singer, songwriter and two-time finalist in the BBC’s Gospel Choir of the Year competition, and Abdul Shyllon, a singer, songwriter and composer whose work spans across, music, film, and theatre.
 

Tagged with: Take part Take Part Talks & events More...

Age guidance: 16+

Participants aged between 16 and 18 should be accompanied by a guardian.

Venue
All choir sessions take place in the Barbican Centre. The exact room location will be emailed to participants the day before each session.

Presented by the Barbican's Creative Collaboration team. 

Image by Betty Zapata Quinonez.

 

Ticket prices

£8 per session

Book all 10 sessions at the same time for the discounted rate of £75.

Subject to availability.

£5 per session

Over 65s
£5 per session

Students
£5 per session

Universal Credit
£5 per session

Subject to availability.

*Excludes £1.50 booking fee

Timetable

Open Sessions: Thu 5 Jun, Thu 12 Jun and Thu 19 Jun, 6.30pm–9pm
Come along to the open sessions and get a feel for the choir experience. During these sessions, you will work with the choir master to develop your skills and the choir selection process will take place. People who successfully make the choir will be notified via email after the final open session. Members of the performing choir must be able to hold and replicate a tone/tune and take direction from the choir leaders.

Participants who wish to be part of the choir must attend at least two of the three open sessions. 

Performing choir sessions: Thu 26 Jun – Thu 7 Aug, 6.30pm–9pm
Choir participants meet weekly on a Thursday between 6.30pm and 9pm and learn a range of songs across musical genres. Participants must commit to attending all seven sessions from Thu 26 Jun – Thu 7 Aug if selected.

Choir sharing: Thu 14 Aug
The choir will perform publicly in the Level G foyer of the Barbican Centre.

FAQs

You can join any of the three Open Sessions for a taste of the choir experience and a chance to become a part of the Barbican Choir. After the performing choir is formed, you won't be able to join until the following term.

The Barbican Choir open sessions are open to everyone. You don't need to have a background in music or learn how to read sheet music. You don't need to prepare anything in advance of the open sessions. 

In order to become a part of the performing choir, you must be able to hold and replicate a tone/tune and take direction from the choir leaders.

There will be no formal audition process. As part of the open sessions, the choir leaders will select members for the Barbican Choir by assessing everyone's ability to hold a tune and take direction.

Participants must attend two out of three of the open sessions (Thu 5 Jun, Thu 12 Jun and Thu 19 Jun).