The Songbirds Choir is City Academy’s only all female choir. With over 60 members and headed by choir director Katherine Hare, the choir is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year which also makes it our longest running choir. The Songbirds perform two large concerts each year for audiences of 250 to 400 friends, family and fans. Concerts take place in summer and winter in central London venues.
The Songbirds have sung with Dionne Warwick and have also appeared on X-Factor for ITV, Pitch Battle for the BBC and they recently received a special commendation from the UK Choir Festival.
The choir sings a variety of material including Pop, Gospel, Musical Theatre, Folk, Acappella and Classical repertoire. They are always accompanied by a professional band with original arrangements. There are solo opportunities at all concerts.
The choir has a really active social network and they regularly go for drinks after rehearsals. The choir also organise their own sectional rehearsals as they get close to concerts and this makes it really easy for you to form friendships within the group.
If you’re interested in joining Songbirds, you are welcome to join a taster session. During the taster you will attend a regular rehearsal and meet everyone. The Musical Director, Katherine Hare, will talk to you after the session about your experience and may do a quick vocal test to ascertain your vocal range and suitability for the choir.
After the session you will receive an email from the City Academy team to let you know if we can offer you a place and at that point, if you are successful, you will be sent a link to join the choir.
Rehearsals
As a member of the Songbirds, you don’t have to commit to every rehearsal evening, as we appreciate people have busy lives. However, putting on a choir show takes a lot of hard work, practice at home and commitment in order for it to be a success, so we do ask that you attend as many classes as you can, especially in the weeks running up to a concert.
In weekly rehearsals, you will;
- Develop and refine your vocal technique
- Learn about blend and choral performance
- Explore a variety of music genres and increase your repertoire knowledge
- Improve your range, pitch and listening skills
- Learn about the vocal anatomy and build your confidence
- Have the opportunity to audition for solos
Music
Pop, Musical Theatre
Type
Female-identifying singers with soprano or alto vocal range
When
Thursday
Where
Shaftesbury Avenue
Who can join?
The City Academy Songbirds are a female only singing group. The choir is open to female-identifying singers with a soprano or alto vocal range who have at least some previous group singing experience. Please note that the choir is not suitable for absolute beginners.
If you do not have the experience required, we recommend you complete Beginners Singing and Improvers Singing course before progressing to the choir.
We are always looking for new members - so if you have a love of performing and are looking to develop your vocal technique, please contact info@city-academy.com for more information.
CHOIR MEMBERS RECEIVE
- 20% discount on all City Academy courses*
- Advanced-level training: weekly 2hr lessons in a central studio (with a 2 week over December and Summer)
- Free auditions for other companies (ie. Choirs, Theatre and other Dance Companies)
- Free tasters (eg. Art, Acting, Singing and more)
- Two full productions in London venues per year
*Excludes Voice reel, Show reel, Private Singing Lessons, Foundation courses, membership to Resident Companies & Dance and Singing Foundation Courses are excluded from this offer.
Performances
City Academy Songbirds perform two larger scale productions each year at prestigious music venues across London. Additional performances for the choir may also include community projects and live music events.
Choir Director
The City Academy Songbirds are led by professional vocal coach and director, Katherine Hare.
Katherine has extensive experience as a vocal coach and has trained singers from the worlds of musical theatre and pop.
Past clients have included stars of Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia, Thriller Live, Cats, Starlight Express and A Chorus Line.
WATCH THE SONGBIRDS LIVE
CLASSES STARTING SOON
| DATE | DAY | TIME (BST) | DURATION | TUTOR | VENUE | PRICE | BOOKING | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ongoing | Thu | 19:00-21:00 | 2 hours (weekly) | Katherine Hare | LIFT Islington | Book Now | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
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5 Benefits to Singing in a Choir
Singing in a choir is fantastic creative outlet, a great social activity as well as having a positive effect on general wellbeing. Find out more...
| DATE | DAY | TIME (BST) | DURATION | TUTOR | VENUE | PRICE | BOOKING | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ongoing | Thu | 19:00-21:00 | 2 hours (weekly) | Katherine Hare | LIFT Islington, Angel | Book Now | Book Now |
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PAYMENT OPTIONS
Membership Subscription Details
Membership will cover you for all classes, rehearsals and all shows during your membership. The choir rehearses throughout the year with a three week break over the Christmas period and a one week break at Easter in the week of Easter Monday. To make membership fees more manageable, these breaks are accounted for within your monthly instalments across the year.
We offer three Membership options for our choirs:
Monthly Membership - £40 per month:
1. There is a minimum membership of three months.
2. Payments are taken via direct debit. Please follow the link in your welcome email to process this using your account number and sort code. The first payment is taken seven days after your initial sign up date and this will be your payment date each month going forward.
3. To cancel your membership; email written confirmation to info@city-academy.com at least 14 days prior to your next payment date. You can cancel your direct debit at your bank or City Academy can do so on your behalf.
Six month membership - £228.00 for 6 months:
This option will save you 5% on the equivalent monthly payments, and is non-refundable.
Annual membership - £432.00 for 12 months:
This option will save you 10% on the equivalent monthly payments, and is non-refundable.
Online & Phone Bookings
Online – To book your selected class/course online, just click Book Now next to your chosen class/course.
Phone – We would be happy to take your booking over the phone, just call us on 020 7042 8833.
| DATE | DAY | TIME (BST) | DURATION | TUTOR | VENUE | PRICE | BOOKING | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ongoing | Thu | 19:00-21:00 | 2 hours (weekly) | Katherine Hare | LIFT Islington, Angel | Book Now | Book Now |
||
PAYMENT OPTIONS
Membership Subscription Details
Membership will cover you for all classes, rehearsals and all shows during your membership. The choir rehearses throughout the year with a three week break over the Christmas period and a one week break at Easter in the week of Easter Monday. To make membership fees more manageable, these breaks are accounted for within your monthly instalments across the year.
We offer three Membership options for our choirs:
Monthly Membership - £40 per month:
1. There is a minimum membership of three months.
2. Payments are taken via direct debit. Please follow the link in your welcome email to process this using your account number and sort code. The first payment is taken seven days after your initial sign up date and this will be your payment date each month going forward.
3. To cancel your membership; email written confirmation to info@city-academy.com at least 14 days prior to your next payment date. You can cancel your direct debit at your bank or City Academy can do so on your behalf.
Six month membership - £228.00 for 6 months:
This option will save you 5% on the equivalent monthly payments, and is non-refundable.
Annual membership - £432.00 for 12 months:
This option will save you 10% on the equivalent monthly payments, and is non-refundable.
Online & Phone Bookings
Online – To book your selected class/course online, just click Book Now next to your chosen class/course.
Phone – We would be happy to take your booking over the phone, just call us on 020 7042 8833.
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LIFT Islington, Angel
45 White Lion Street,
All City Academy tutors are experienced professionals from theatre, film/TV and performance industries. So whilst they're training you they may also be rehearsing for a West End show or working on a movie. We like that and we do believe it makes a difference in class.
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