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Birmingham Choral Union

Celebrating great choral music

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Our Choir

We are people who love to sing, and we come from all walks of life. 

Birmingham Choral Union has been singing in the city since the 1880s. Today’s members enjoy the challenge of singing an eclectic range of choral music – old and new, sacred and secular pieces in different languages and from different musical traditions. The choir is always looking for ways to keep singing fresh and fun, enjoying a diverse repertoire and performing in churches, prestigious concert halls, pubs and restaurants – we have even sung on the roof of a car park! We are fortunate to have the superb and long-standing musical leadership of Colin Baines and Darren Hogg, who make our rehearsals enjoyable, and learning accessible.

Each year we hold three concerts: a major work in spring, a lighter summer programme and a lively Christmas family concert with a mix of traditional and popular carols and seasonal songs. We also enjoy singing with other choirs in larger works, usually with full orchestras.

Enjoy singing? Fancy a challenge? Join us!

Singing is good for your physical and mental health, and with us it’s fun, inclusive and sociable. You’ll be part of a diverse community, learn languages and enjoy being part of making wonderful live music in lovely settings. Singing in harmony with others is a great feeling, and when you add professional players and singers into the mix it’s even more wonderful.  

We are always pleased to welcome new singers of all voices.

It helps if you can read music and have sung in a choir before, even if it was some time ago, but if not we’ll support you to take part and learn. Our members have a range of skills, abilities and needs beyond singing, which allows us to grow and develop. You’ll be welcome to come along for a few rehearsals free of charge, and if you’d like to join the choir you’ll have an informal audition with the Musical Director.

If you think you’d like to sing with our friendly choir, check out our rehearsal and access details at the bottom of this page and get in touch.

Come and join the friendly choir!

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Our Rehearsals

We rehearse every Monday evening during term time at Birmingham Central Baptist Church, 35 Ellen Street, B18 7LJ .

There is free secure parking on site and several bus routes run very close by. The building is single storey, with gender-neutral and wheelchair accessible toilets. There is a quiet room as well as the rehearsal space and tea hall. Our members come from a wide area and some share lifts to choir. If you want to check out any specific access requirements please do get in touch.

The evening starts at 6.45pm with a gentle warm-up and vocal exercises. We use sheet music or scores and learn each piece with excellent piano accompaniment from Darren Hogg.  We have a short break for choir notices and refreshments (sometimes with cake!) and regular fundraising sales and events.

We finish promptly at 8.45pm.

To aid learning at home Colin creates bespoke learning tracks and each week we record the rehearsal to share with members on YouTube.

It’s easy to join, with affordable membership fees.

If you’d like to know more just get in touch using our Contact page. 

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