Choirs
Calling all singers! If you enjoy singing, we have a choir for you. From age five to adults, Berkshire Maestros runs a whole host of choirs across the county, at all levels. Our Music Centre choirs are open to all, and give everyone the opportunity to enjoy singing together. For more serious singers, we offer three auditioned youth choirs for different age groups.
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Berkshire County Youth Choirs
Berkshire Maestros runs two county youth choirs for young singers aged 11 to 19. They perform a huge range of repertoire to a consistently high standard, resulting in regular performances for the BBC and other organisations such as Classic FM. Key choir team members include Artistic Director Christopher Hann, Associate Musical Director Katie Minien, Assistant Conductor Mark Bassett, Accompanist Andrew McKenna and Choir Manager Emily Freeman. For all our auditioned choirs, there is an emphasis on improving technique through high quality choral training, however the focus is very much on enjoyment of singing and potential, with anyone who loves singing encouraged to audition.
CHOIRS
Find the right choir for you
- Group
- Ability / Age
- Location
- Day & Time
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Group
Stoneham Singers Adult choir
Ability / Age
Beginner
Location
Reading
Day & Time
Tuesday 7.30pm-8.30pm
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Group
Berkshire Youth Choir
Ability / Age
Advanced
Location
County wide
Day & Time
Wednesday 7.00pm – 9.00pm
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Group
Berkshire Young Voices
Ability / Age
Advanced
Location
County wide
Day & Time
Wednesday 7.00pm – 8.30pm
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Group
Bracknell Young Singers
Ability / Age
Beginner
Location
Bracknell
Day & Time
Saturday 10.15am-10.45am
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Group
Bracknell Children’s Choir
Ability / Age
Beginner
Location
Bracknell
Day & Time
Saturday 9.30am-10.00am
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Group
St Bart’s Singers Adult Choir
Ability / Age
Beginner
Location
Newbury and West Berkshire
Day & Time
Saturday 11.30am-12.15pm
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Group
Newbury Youth Choir
Ability / Age
Intermediate
Location
Newbury and West Berkshire
Day & Time
Saturday 9.00am-9.45am
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Group
Newbury Children’s Choir/Newbury Young Singers
Ability / Age
Beginner
Location
Newbury and West Berkshire
Day & Time
Saturday 10.15am-11.00am
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Group
Windsor Young Singers
Ability / Age
Beginner/intermediate
Location
Windsor and Maidenhead
Day & Time
Saturday 10.15am-10.45am
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Group
Windsor Children’s Choir
Ability / Age
Beginner
Location
Windsor and Maidenhead
Day & Time
Saturday 9.30am-10.00am
Where are choir rehearsals held?
Rehearsals are held at our music centres across Berkshire, and sometimes in larger venues where this is necessary.
What level do I need to sing at?
There are no set grade requirements for any of our choirs. Everyone is welcome to join Music Centre choirs, and for our auditioned choirs the emphasis is very much on finding potential rather than polished voices.
How much do choirs cost?
Our choir fees are kept low to enable access for the maximum number of students – our fees can be found under ensembles here. If the fees are unaffordable, there may be options for financial support.
Do I need to be a Berkshire Maestros student to join a choir?
Not at all! Our choirs are open to everyone.
Do I have to audition?
Not at all for our Music Centre choirs. We run three auditioned choirs – Berkshire Children’s Choir (Years 4 to 6), Berkshire Young Voices (Years 7 to 9) and Berkshire Youth Choir (Year 10 upwards). Auditions are open year round.
How often are choir rehearsals held?
Some choirs rehearse weekly, and some fortnightly (all in term time only).
What musical styles do the choirs cover?
A whole range! Our choirs enjoy singing pop/rock, classical, musicals and lots more!
Can I try a choir out before committing?
Of course – we offer free taster sessions for all of our music centre choirs.
Where do choirs perform?
Regular performance venues include Reading Concert Hall, Douai Abbey and St George’s Chapel Windsor. Other performances include The Royal Albert Hall and BBC Maida Vale Studios.
Do choirs go on tour?
Our senior choir tours overseas every other summer. Recent tours have included Spain and China, performing in venues such as Beijing Concert Hall and Salamanca Cathedral.